Aquino: No more 'berdugo' in military

MANILA, Philippines - Following the arrest of retired major general Jovito Palparan, President Benigno Aquno III said the "berdugo" days of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are over.

In his speech during the ceremonial distribution of assault rifles at the AFP headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo, Aquino said the military has transformed into an institution with modern equipment and soldiers who are now trusted by the people.

"Nahuli na ang isa sa mga most wanted sa Pilipinas, at ngayon ay dadaan na sa tama at makatarungang proseso, para tumugon sa mga alegasyon ng pang-aabuso laban sa kanya. Masasabi na rin po natin ngayon: Kung dati, kinakatakutan ang inyong hanay bilang mga berdugo, ngayon, ginagalang at pinagkakatiwalaan kayo bilang mga tunay na kabalikat ng sambayanang Pilipino," Aquino told government troops.

The President also praised the military for always responding to disasters and dangerous situations and for ensuring the peace and security of communities.

Palparan, infamously labeled as "berdugo" (the butcher) for his alleged involvement in the killings and disappearances of political activists, was arrested on Tuesday after hiding for three years.

During the Arroyo administration, he became the commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division in Central Luzon, the unit to which the 24th Infrantry Battalion belongs.

Supposedly upon the orders of Palparan, members of the said battalion allegedly abducted and tortured University of the Philippines (UP) students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, suspecting them of being communist rebels.

The Arroyo administration's counter-insurgency program, the "Oplan Bantay Laya", has been criticized for supposedly spawning the series of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of left-wing activists, journalists and human rights advocates, among others.

Militant groups believe that the Aquino administration's "Oplan Bayanihan" is no different to the "Oplan Bantay Laya" and doubt that it will improve the human rights situation in the country.

Just last Saturday, UP students Gerald Salonga and Guiller Martin Cadano were allegedly kidnapped in Barangay Padilla in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija by the 3rd Infantry Battalion while they were doing integration activities with village folk.

The victims have been turned over the police. Salonga is reportedly the regional spokesperson of the Kabataan party-list group.