DND chief: AFP need not apologize for martial law

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the Armed Forces of the Philippines need not apologize for the human rights abuses committed by soldiers following the imposition of martial law 35 years ago. At the Manila Overseas Press Club forum at the Hotel Intercon in Makati City on Thursday night, Teodoro said that the atrocities were committed not by the military institution but by its members only. “No, because atrocities are not made by institutions," said Teodoro when asked if the AFP should apologize for human rights abuses. Teodoro, a lawyer and former congressman, assumed the defense portfolio about two months ago. “They are made by men and there is nobody countenancing atrocities within and amongst the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines so definitely, the institution should not apologize for the wrongdoings if ever of any of its members," he said. On how a closure would be reached, the defense chief said: “I don’t see the need for closure, there was a revolution to oust it." He was referring to the Edsa I uprising that overthrew then dictator President Ferdinand Marcos. The victims have filed a class suit against the Marcos family for their compensation. “That’s judicial proceedings [that] they have to fight it out in court," said Teodoro, referring to the pending human rights cases. Teodoro said the notoriety of the military in the martial law years might be improved by coming up with evidence that the AFP does not really tolerate the commission of human rights abuses by soldiers. “It will take time and only a confluence of several factors particularly our behavior…our relationship building with the community, our professionalism from the junior officers [to the senior officers]. Confluence of these factors, will perhaps improve the image of the Armed Forces, not overnight but over time," he said. - GMANews.TV