Senators want sanctions vs those involved in NPA list gaffe

Senators on Monday demanded that the Philippine military sanction those involved in the release of an erroneous list of students who allegedly became New People's Army members.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said that while the apology of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and other military commanders should be commended, punishments must still be meted against those involved in the blunder.

"At the very least, the one responsible for submitting that kind of information and the one who made the announcement should be sanctioned," Lacson said on CNN Philippines.

The senator added that the responsible servicemen should be held accountable, not only for "putting the defense establishment in an awkward and embarrassing position," but also for the "possible dire consequences that could occur because of such an irresponsible and imprudent act."

Opposition Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan likewise emphasized the importance of professionalism in the security forces.

“Buti naman at nakita nila na hindi tama ang paglalabas ng ganoong mga pangalan lalo pa at hindi totoo at walang basehan. We welcome the apology. However, we reiterate that the AFP should ensure adherence to the strictest tenets of professionalism. Dapat may managot sa mga kapabayaang tulad nito," Pangilinan said in a statement.

“Ang pagkakamaling ito ay nakakabahala dahil senyales ito na kumakalat na ang unprofessionalism at pamumulitika sa AFP... Tinatanggap natin ang apology subalit dapat seryusuhin ng liderato ng AFP na walang puwang ang unprofessionalism at incompetence sa ating AFP," he added.

The senator stressed that the politicized and unprofessional armed forces during the Marcos regime resulted in disunity and coup plots in the 1980s and 1990s.

On Sunday, the AFP apologized for "inconsistencies" in the list of students who allegedly joined the NPA, which it released through the AFP Information Exchange Facebook account.

The post has since been taken down.

Among the UP graduates who were wrongly tagged as allegedly captured or killed after joining the NPA were lawyer Rafael Aquino and former Health Undersecretary Alexander Padilla.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said the military's witch-hunting should stop and that the armed forces' resources should instead be utilized in strengthening external defense, especially in the West Philippine Sea.

"Kung gusto nilang makahanap talaga ng komunista, punta sila sa West Philippine Sea, siguradong makakahanap sila doon at mas maayos nilang magagamit ang intelligence budget nila sa pagmonitor at pag-push back din sa unfriendly intelligence work na ginagawa ng Tsina dito sa atin," she said in an online interview.

"I hope si Sec. Lorenzana ay maging mas proactive pa na gamitin nang maayos 'yung mga national defense [at] armed forces capacities natin... Long overdue na tigilan na natin 'yung mga discredited na mga witch-hunting activities dito sa loob ng ating bansa," she added. — DVM, GMA News