FINAL REPORT - Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
FINAL REPORT - Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
FINAL REPORT - Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
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I come in compliance of a Senate summon to appear be<strong>for</strong>e this<br />
august body. And I would like to make it as an attachment, Mr.<br />
Chairman, sir, the letter.<br />
xxx xxx xxx<br />
I come in compliance of a Senate summon to appear be<strong>for</strong>e this<br />
august body in order to manifest and truthfully declare what I<br />
known in my capacity as the <strong>for</strong>mer commander Joint Task Force<br />
Lanao.<br />
Last night while I was preparing <strong>for</strong> my appearance in the Senate<br />
Committee, my cell phone was ringing continuously because of<br />
calls coming from several people discouraging me to appear in<br />
this investigation. In fact, I am saddened to in<strong>for</strong>m you that<br />
there were high government officials who tried to intervene<br />
through the chain of command in order to prevent me from<br />
appearing in this committee. And may I also, Mr. Chairman,<br />
Your Honor, sir, make as an attachment this AFP message <strong>for</strong>m<br />
given to me at 1:00 a.m. this morning. And may I read be<strong>for</strong>e<br />
this august body, Mr. Chairman, Your Honor please.<br />
THE CHAIRMAN. Please proceed, General.<br />
MR. GUDANI. From the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the<br />
<strong>Philippine</strong>s to the Superintendent, PMA, AFP. Info-Ola, AFP.<br />
Per instruction of her excellency, PGMA. No AFP personnel<br />
shall appear be<strong>for</strong>e any congressional or senate hearing<br />
without her approval. In<strong>for</strong>m General Francisco Gudani and<br />
Colonel Alexander Balutan accordingly.<br />
Signed: Major Aaron CDO, Colonel Corpuz, CDO.<br />
Notwithstanding, <strong>for</strong> love of God and country, I am<br />
appearing here to tell you and the sovereign people, whom we<br />
have sworn to serve and protect, the truth, the whole truth,<br />
and nothing but the truth.<br />
First of all, I would like to in<strong>for</strong>m the Senate committee<br />
that the conversation in the Garci tape pertaining to a general<br />
who was ordered to leave his assignment during the very<br />
critical time when he was badly needed by his unit during the<br />
counting of votes of the recent national elections is<br />
absolutely true. If I may quote the conversation in the Garci<br />
tape.<br />
This is the conversation, Your Honors, Mr. Chairman, to wit:<br />
‘Conversation between a man and a woman on 28 22:30 May 2004’<br />
53
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