AFP defends official linked to Maguindanao vice mayor's killing

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not investigate an Army brigade commander accused of having a hand in the killing of the vice mayor of Barira town in Maguindanao province. At a press briefing on Tuesday, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta also rejected calls to sack Brig. Gen. Ernesto Aradanas, chief of the 603rd Brigade and a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1979. “At this point, there is none," said Mabanta when asked if there’s a reason to relieve Aradanas. Aradanas is being implicated in the killing of Vice Mayor Alexander Tomawis, 38, last Sunday in Davao City. He was among the 21 generals who recently took their oaths before President Benigno Aquino III. According to the party-list group Akbayan, Tomawis was planning to file a case against Aradanas and his subordinates for allegedly harassing him during the May 10 national and local elections. Akbayan also said hours before he was killed, Tomawis met with Akbayan leader Tom Villarin to discuss the case. Mabanta urged the critics of Aradanas to file a case so that Aradanas can formally answer the complaint. “That’s the right of the aggrieved party," Mabanta said. “Similarly, General Aradanas has also the right to respond and defend himself. This is a personal matter and General Aradanas will certainly defend himself." Mabanta said that while the military does not condone the offenses committed by its officers and men, it does not take actions based on mere allegations. “These are just allegations. Mere allegations leaves you nowhere," he said. Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, for his part, said the military will cooperate in the ongoing investigation by the police on Tomawis' killing. “The case is under investigation by the police. We are prepared to present any Army personnel that may be implicated by that investigation," he said. In a text message to defense reporters, Aradanas said: “We have nothing to do with the incident. Truth and justice will prevail in the end." - KBK, GMANews.TV