Malacañang dismisses claims of Ret. Col. Generoso Mariano

Palace officials finds it unbelievable the claim of retired Marine Colonel Generoso Mariano that he did not make any seditious statements in the Youtube video of his accusations against government. “Unang una, may narinig po kami na parang naloko lang siya. I don’t think he was auditioning for a broadcaster nung ginawa niya ‘yun. May binitiwan siyang salita na ‘itong kasalukuyang pamahalaan.’ Yun ang ipaliwanag niya. Although hindi nga niya minention specifically si Pangulong Aquino, pero doon naman sa statement niya, kita mo naman kung sino ang kanyang tinuturingan. So, paliwanag na lang niya," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a Malacanang press briefing. Lacierda added that it is now up to the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense to investigate Mariano. “He’s claiming he wasn’t referring to this administration. Again that’s a matter of reviewing the tape and seeing the statement that he made and that’s up to the DND and the AFP to evaluate," the chief Palace spokesperson added. In the video reportedly shot last July 3, Mariano, who retired from service July 17, accused government of failing to put up measures against the relentless rise in the costs of basic commodities, which he said is affecting even soldiers. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended that the military hold Mariano be liable for inciting to sedition. In an eight-page legal opinion sent to the Armed Forces’ Judge Advocate General Office (JAGO), Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Mariano’s videotaped message contains condemnation and sweeping attacks against the Aquino administration. De Lima said the call to replace the Aquino government, implied through illegal means, is “patently seditious." — ELR/VS, GMA News