EDSA 1 'no dispersal order'

MANILA, Philippines - This refers to the item in the column of Ms. Carmen N. Pedrosa’s From A Distance, Philippine STAR, 28 February 2010, on the claim of Councilor Jocelyn Dawis-Asuncion of Manila, particularly par. 4 thereof, stating that, as allegedly relayed by her father P/Col. Jose H. Dawis, during his lifetime, then Quezon City Police Chief P/Col. Jose H. Dawis defied the orders of his superior officer, Superintendent Alfredo S. Lim, to disperse the crowd converging at EDSA and its vicinity.

We would like to set the records straight regarding the turn of events at the start of EDSA I People Power Revolution.

It is really unfortunate that Councilor Dawis-Asuncion had to use/drag the name of her father, who was considered as one of the most liked officers of the Quezon City Police, to an incident/occurrence that she does not have a personal knowledge at all.

For the information of Councilor Dawis Asuncion, there was no “misrepresentation of facts” to use her own words on the part of Gen. Lim because the two (2) of us (Gen. San Diego and Gen. Garcia) were with him during the crucial moments, from the time people from all walks of life converged at EDSA demanding the resignation of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. That it was not Gen. Lim who ordered the dispersal of the crowd but a direct order from President F. Marcos, which Gen. Alfredo Lim refused to comply.

The undisputed events then later followed with Gen. Lim bidding his time to delay the order of dispersal until Atom leader Butch Aquino approached asking the General if the dispersal order will be implemented, to which the General politely replied “NO, there will be no dispersal!” Promised Mr. Aquino then asked the General pointblank, “O, usapang lalaki ito ha!” Followed by both men shaking hands.

Then Mr. Aquino went out of the office and announced to the crowd that Gen. Lim assured him that there will be no dispersal, to which the crowd approvingly clapped their hands and cheered the announcement.

At the conclusion of the People Power Revolution, Gen. Ramos expressed his gratitude to Gen. Lim’s group for the full support in averting an incident which could have caused the loss of many innocent lives, “Gentlemen, thank you for coming here and supporting us!”

In the police service, there is always the so-called “Chain of Command” and whatever command or order there is to be implemented, the highest official of the District is the one tasked to implement. On the other hand, even if President Marcos issued the dispersal order, Gen. Alfredo S. Lim, rather than obey, defied it as he never gave any order to his officers to disperse the crowd, as he used his own sound discretion not to implement said order.

There was never a time during and after our working relationship with Gen. Alfredo Lim that he bragged about his exploits at EDSA 1 Revolution.

Likewise, Gen. Alfredo Lim never claimed to be a HERO, much more as somebody who claims to be what he is not.

Lastly, it is really very unfortunate that an official of the City of Manila could stoop to the lowest level of using her father’s name as a cheap political gimmick by way of besmirching the reputation of another person.

Foregoing considered, we hope this will merit a space in your newspaper in the spirit of fair play. — P/B Gen ROMEO S. SAN DIEGO (Ret), No. 40 Jaguar St., Fairview Park, Quezon City, P/Gen RODOLFO M. GARCIA (Ret) No. 11 Malumanay St., Quezon City, P/CInp JOSEFINA F. CASPELLAN (Ret), Block 13, Lot 9 Maryton Circle, Greenfields 1, Novaliches, Quezon City