Bangit asked to allow Querubin to join last NP rallies

A fellow senatorial candidate under the Nacionalista Party (NP) banner has asked the military leadership to allow detained former Col. Ariel Querubin to join the party’s Miting de Avance later this week. The request was made by lawyer Adel Tamano through a two-page letter to Armed Forces chief Gen. Delfin Bangit. “Campaigning and [being] given access to media interviews are aspects of the right to free speech and assembly that the government – and the military – must respect and uphold," said Tamano, who personally delivered his letter to the Armed Forces’ Judge Advocate General Office in Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday. Tamano asked Bangit to release Querubin on May 7 and on May 8 to attend their Miting de Avance in Marikina and Quezon cities, respectively. Querubin, a Medal of Valor awardee, is currently detained in Camp Aguinaldo and facing court martial proceedings for his participation in an alleged attempt to overthrow the Arroyo administration in February 2006. He had earlier requested the military leadership to allow him to campaign but his request has yet to be acted upon. “Unfortunately, these restrictions upon Colonel Querubin are a violation of his constitutional right to assembly and free speech, rights that are granted to all Filipinos including those in the military," Tamano said. He also assured the military that Querubin will not be flight risk since he has his candidacy to take into consideration. “Rather than hiding from the public and authorities, Colonel Querubin wishes to do just the opposite: to be able to go out in the last remaining campaign days so that the public will know him more." Tamano also gave the military his and NP standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar Jr.’s word that they would ensure Querubin’s return to detention after the campaign. “Moreover, Senator Manuel Villar and I are willing to take Colonel Querubin under our cognizance as responsible members of the community and to ensure his return to detention under conditions that may be imposed by your good office," he said in his letter. Querubin’s son and spokesman, Martin Loon, accompanied Tamano in the delivering the letter. He said they are making the request “so that the people can see him (Querubin)." - KBK, GMANews.TV