AFP chief sees no need to disclose Mayuga report

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine military chief Gen. Alexander Yano on Friday doused any chances of disclosing the contents of the controversial Mayuga report, which cleared senior military officers of involvement in the alleged rigging of the May 2004 presidential elections. In a chance interview at the Philippine Air Force headquarters at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, Yano said the issue had been addressed even before he assumed the top Armed Forces post. “This has been acted upon by the previous leadership so I don’t think there is a need for it (to be made public), to revive whatever is the content," Yano told reporters. “No need for me (to make it public), no need to revive what has been acted upon by the previous leadership...I don’t think I will have to uncover what has already been acted upon by my predecessor, no need for me (to release the report)," he added. On Thursday, military information chief Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said it was unlikely that the Mayuga report will be disclosed to the public. “That has to be subjected to a study so we don’t know yet (if its going to be released) because in the past they might have reasons to not declassify the Mayuga report to the public," Torres told reporters. Even retired Navy Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga, who headed the task force, refused to discuss the contents of his report, repeatedly telling reporters that he “is now a member of the private sector." The group of military officers detained in connection with the alleged February 2006 coup had earlier said that the release of the Mayuga report would finally end the “Hello, Garci" controversy that continues to hound the military and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to this day. To which, Yano said: “That may be their own opinion but that does not necessarily mean that we will follow their opinion." The leakage of the Hello, Garci" tapes in June 2005 sparked the worst political crisis of the Arroyo administration, triggering calls for her resignation even from her former allies, including her Cabinet secretaries and former President Corazon Aquino. - GMANews.TV