FINAL REPORT - Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

all armed forces unit commanders were on red alert without
giving me a relevant task to do during those days when
counting of votes during the 2004 national election was being
done. It is incomprehensible and illogical that I would be asked to
leave my unit when my presence as a commander was very
material. Like a jigsaw puzzle, I was able to resolve the enigma
when I was able to talk with a classmate from the Philippine
Military Academy who is now occupying also a top-level
position in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He informed
me by saying that after a lot of money has been given to
concerned individuals for them to deliver the necessary votes
in favor of President Gloria Arroyo and also my classmate told
me that Garcillano asked the provincial election supervisor of
Lanao del Sur, Recio Malipao 15 if he could rig the election in
the place. Sumalipao, he could not rig the election with
Gudani around. All that I could say is that I did my best to do
my duty as a professional soldier so that the task given to us
to preserve the sanctity of the ballot would be performed. I
saw to it that this mission has been communicated to my
subordinate commanders, one of which – one of whom is present
here, the battalion commander of the 7 th Marine Battalion, Colonel
Balutan. And I saw overtly and covertly. Ironically, what I got in
return was an order of relief from my post. What they did
worst is that I was replaced by an army colonel in spite of the fact
that almost all members of then joint task force Lanao were
marine soldiers.
I strongly feel that there was injustice committed in this
aspect. As what I have said, I’m ready to tell the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth in this investigation because I
believe that the truth shall set us free.
And may I add, Mr. Chairman, Your Honors. I’m
appearing here carrying the name of the Military Christian
Fellowship Philippines where I am the president. Meaning,
this organization is the – is composed of all born-again
committed Christians in the Armed Forces of the Philippines
praying for me at this moment. At the same time also, I’m also
carrying the name of our church, Christ Commission
Fellowship, its pastors, our brothers and sisters, all
committed born-again Christians praying for me to tell this
august body the whole truth, the truth and only nothing but
the truth.
15
referring to Rey (or Ray) Sumalipao, provincial election supervisor for Lanao del Sur (based on a later portion of
this testimony as well as his (Gudani’s) affidavit dated September 28, 2005, submitted to the Senate Committee on
National Defense an Security on September 28, 2005, and the testimony of Marine Col. Alexander Balutan before the
same Senate Committee on September 29, 2005)
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