Army colonel may lose promotion

An Army colonel who berated an Eastern Samar congressman may not get his promotion to general as lawmakers sympathetic to the aggrieved legislator threatened to block it before the Commission on Appointments.

In a privilege speech, Rep. Teodulo Coquilla denounced Col. Franciso Lanuza of the Army infantry brigade at Camp Daza in Hinabinga, Western Samar for hurling invectives at him when he told the military officer of his harrowing experience with soldiers manning an unmarked checkpoint.

Coquilla later told The STAR of expressions of support from his colleagues, particularly from the opposition bloc, like Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez. “Many wanted to help. We’ll be talking about it on Monday. Of course, that is my choice,” he said.

Lanuza, whom Coquilla described as an “officer but a lousy gentleman,” is reportedly a staunch supporter of Elda Libanan, Coquilla’s rival in the last May elections. Elda is the wife of Immigrations chief Marcelino Libanan, who was Coquilla’s predecessor in the House.

Lanuza was said to have openly supported Elda in the last elections and even ordered his men not to help Coquilla in any way.

Coquilla related that on Oct.21, he and his companions were on their way to Borongan from Tacloban City when four men in military uniform stopped them at a checkpoint. He said the checkpoint was unmarked and appeared hastily set up.

He said his group was forced to stop because the soldiers appeared ready to shoot. The soldiers said it was Lanuza who ordered them to set up the checkpoint for communist insurgents. He said they were eventually allowed to go after intense questioning and inspection.

Coquilla said he called Lanuza who confirmed that it was he who ordered the setting up of the checkpoint. When he sought explanation as to why the checkpoint was poorly marked or if he could identify the communists, Lanuza reportedly cursed and said: “Can’t you understand?”.

Coquilla said that when he asked Lanuza why he blew his top, the military officer angrily told him; “You’re irritating!”.

Coquilla said he reported the incident to Armed Forces chief Gen.. Hermogenes Esperon, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, and to Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Jesus Dureza, but nothing came out of it.

He said Esperon even promised to compel Lanuza to show up at the House of Representatives last Nov.19, “but they did not come.”