Probe the generals in airport dramatics

Today is the first International Day to End Impunity. The International Freedom of Expression Exchange, meeting in Beirut months back, resolved to mourn on November 23 each year the wanton killings of journalists worldwide. In that forum the Committee to Protect Journalists unveiled its 2011 special report on impunity around the world, “Getting Away with Murder.” November 23 marks the single deadliest attack on journalists in history. On that day two years ago 32 journalists and media workers were executed on a roadside in Maguindanao while on their way to cover local elections. Twenty-six female lawyers and kin of a local politician were slain with them.

The Maguindanao massacre has caught international attention of human rights advocates and the press. Yet in the Philippines the trial continues to stall with endless motions of the defense and prosecution, alongside allegations of threats and bribery. As of today, only two of 28 principal accused from the Ampatuan political clan have been arraigned. Only 93 of the 196 suspects have been arrested. Prosecution and defense lawyers have listed 300 and 320 witnesses, respectively. This could take 200 years to present, according to Sen. Joker Arroyo, a veteran human rights lawyer and courtroom litigator.

The families of the 58 victims continue to suffer from the loss of their loved ones, most of whom were breadwinners. Some of the children continue to innocently wait in vain for their murdered parents to come home. Blaming the impunity on his predecessor, President Noynoy Aquino has asked Filipinos for patience in the court proceedings. Killings and attacks on journalists and political dissidents have gone on in his 17-month tenure. Aquino’s family too is a victim of impunity. To this day the mastermind of the 1983 assassination of his father, democracy martyr Ninoy Aquino, has not been determined in court.

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Speaking of impunity, a handful of former chiefs of the Armed Forces and National Police joined the political dramatics last week at the Manila airport. Their presence failed to get their boss Gloria Arroyo past the immigration counters. Still, wary retired generals note, they gave police-military rank-and-file a malicious signal of discontent. The retirees murmur that the defense department should investigate the ex-chiefs for political partisanship. More so since, they collect pensions not from lay-away provident funds but from taxpayers, through congressional appropriations. They got away with pasalubong and pabaon (welcome and farewell slush funds) before; they continue to get away with congresswoman Arroyo’s political patronage.

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Medical intelligencer: St. Luke’s Hospital docs wonder why Gloria Arroyo at the airport last week was wearing a Minerva vest. Such head-neck metal restraint is usually a downgrade from the heavier immediate-post-op halo vest. But months after a successful cervical spine surgery, which Arroyo underwent in August, patients wear only a small neck brace. They are even encouraged to move their head and neck, albeit with care. Arroyo’s condition has been improving by the day, her charts show, save for diarrhea and stress-induced anorexia.

Clarification: the Comelec filed its election sabotage case against Gloria Arroyo in Pasay City because that’s where, at the Philippine International Convention Center, the fraudulent national canvassing of senatorial votes was conducted.

Correction: court rules forbid the weekend serving of arrest warrants for all bailable offenses, not only for those with penalty of six years’ imprisonment or less. Warrants for non-bailable crimes may be served anytime, any day.

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It’ll be Christmas in a few days. Indigent child patients of the Cancer Warriors Foundation Inc. were asked what their gift wish is. All cancer-stricken, they ask only simple things to normalize their lives: toys, clothes, shoes.

Five stood out for more fervent longings: Jomar Albarico, 17, for an artificial arm; and Kristine Mabute, 16, Vincent Aranjuez, 12, Francis Rechagadas, 15, and Angelo Panlaqui, 17, for artificial legs.

CWFI has 64 wards in Batangas and 70 in Manila. Here are the Christmas wishes of those in Batangas (for Manila, on Friday):

Alcantara, Brian, 12, pants size 12, shirt medium, bag;

Arroyo, Jhewelle, 5, bike, shoes 31, pants 20, shirt M;

Baltazar, Kenneth, 7, shoes 7, t-shirt teen;

Bergado Mien Allen, 15, shoes 8, t-shirt M;

Bibit, Christian, 13, Converse (Jack Taylor) 31, Bum pants-shirt;

Bilog, Rhob Christian, 9, rubber shoes 40;

Bisa, Vinn Errol, 8, jacket XL, shoes 36;

Brotonel, Joshua, 11, toy truck big, drum set toy;

Calanoga, Aaron, 10, rubber shoes 40, shirt M;

Calapatia, John Ezekiel, 3, clothes M, shoes, 29;

Cruz, Shawn, 6, pants 7, shirt M;

Datinguinoo, Mark, 15, shoes 40, shirt M;

De Guia, Chester, 14, shirt M, pants 32;

Dimaculangan, Christian, 9, shoes 37, pants 18, sweater teen, guitar;

Elonta, Bernard King, 8, robot, bag;

Endaya, Franco Guissep, 7, Transformers toys;

Fajilagmago, Gabriel, 3, shoes 29, shirt-pants M;

Garcia, John Noah, 3, shoes 24, shirt-pants M;

Huelba, Hanz Lim, 6, electric fan;

Lacdan Zac, 7, robot big;

Las, Jhon Noel, 12, pants, shorts 28, tribal t-shirt M;

 Lasin, John Cedric, 7, rubber shoes 32, pants 23, shirt M;

Limpiada, Gabriel, 8, Transformers toys;

Magbuhos, Lhenard, 6, pants 18, shirt L, toys;

Malabanan, Anthony, 3, sandals 24, shirt-pants M;

Masalunga, Daryl, 11, rubber shoes 38, school supplies & bag;

Mateo, Andrei, 10, pants 29, t-shirt M;

Mores, Evez Kurt, 4, shoes 28, pants & shirt, toys;

Noche, Raniel, 5, bike;

Pemado, John Michael, 6, shoes 38, clothes M, bike;

Purugganan, Mark Ren, 12, t-shirt teen L;

Ramos, Rene Boy, 5, shoes 32, pants & shirt, toys;

Solmiano, Kenjie, 6, shoes 38, pants & shirt M;

Tolentino, Mark Joseph, 4, toy car big;

Umali, Roilan, 13, pants 30, shoes 41, shirt M;

Villanueva, Ashley, 5, shoes 32, pants & shirt M;

Villanueva, Renz Carl, 5, bike;

Acosta, Carla Antonette, 6, shoes (Angry Birds) 35, dress XL;

Adarme, Trisha, 5, bike;

Adis, Sheera, 4, sandals 25, dress M, toys;

Aranel, Elisabeth, 8, shoes 33, dress M;

Benter, Dean Larice, 6, sandals 34, dress M, toys;

Bernardo, Matea Joy, 2, shoes 23, dress M;

Caguimbal, Rose, 17, backpack bag;

Camaing, Princes, 2, Winnie d Pooh stuffed toy, dress L;

Caraig, Alexandria, 4, shoes or sandals 27, dress L;

Castillo, Pauleen, 5, bike, doll (Baby Alive);

Cometa, Malou, 18, sandals 38, backpack;

Cuevas, Gianne, 4, sandals 26, dress M, toys;

Datingaling, Mariel, 8, rubber shoes 38, dress L;

De Villa, Maybellin, 9, shoes 37, dress XL;

Hernandez, Angel, 6, shoes 27, dress M;

Manalo, Maxine, 10, bike;

Marquez, Ana, 3, bike, toys;

Matanguihan, Rose, 4, bike;

Mendoza, Kim Lesley, 3, dress S, bike, toys;

Panopio, Ashley, 15, jacket M, pants 30;

Paradilla, Justine, 11, dress XL, pants 12, sandals 33, Barbie doll;

Pasamic, Jamaica, 6, dress M, sandals 32, toys;

Reluaw, Mikee, 4, bike, shoes 25;

Rosales, Donna, 9, sandals 36, dress S;

Saludo, Kazy, 5, dress M, shoes 27;

San Juan, Jeremae, 3, bike, stuffed toys;

Tisbe, Pamela, 9, groceries, dress L, shoes 10

                  (to be continued Friday)

CWFI founder James Auste, a brain cancer survivor, has his own prayer: that the children’s presents are donated in time for their Christmas party on Dec. 4, 3 p.m., at Ellinwood Church, 1660 Vasquez St., Malate, Manila.

Donations may be sent to 1317 Lopez Jaena St., Paco, Manila, Philippines; telefax (+632) 5622954, mobile (+63917) 8485258. E-mail: [email protected], website: www.c-warriors.org. For cash donations: Cancer Warriors Foundation Inc.,

• Banco de Oro Don Chino Roces Makati, Current Account 00540-800-8808, Dollar Account 5400085084;

• Metrobank Marajo Tower, The Fort, Current Account 519-7-51901107-3;

• RCBC Don Chino Roces Makati, Current Account 02-888-037-81.

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Catch Sapol radio show, Saturdays, 8-10 a.m., DWIZ (882-AM).

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E-mail: [email protected]