Protest action set against new commander of 3rd ID

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Human rights groups in Panay Island has set a symbolic protest action on July 16 to oppose the appointment of Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, as the new commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, who they tagged as the "Morong 43" general.

Reylan Vergara, spokesperson of Panay Alliance-Karapatan said the symbolic protest will be staged in front of Camp Martin Delgado at Fort San Pedro in this city where there is also an office of the Philippine Army.

The rally will coincide with the turnover of command rites at the 3rd ID headquarters at Cam Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, said Vergara.

The turnover, between Baladad and his predecessor Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, was supposed to be held last July 12 but was postponed to Tuesday (July 16).

Vergara said the human rights groups are protesting the appointment of Baladad because of the latter's involvement in the controversial arrest and detention of health workers, dubbed as the "Morong 43," in Rizal province on suspicion that they were communist rebels.

Philippine Army chief, Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, over the radio defended the appointment of Baladad to head the 3rd ID, saying that the latter could not have been given key position at the AFP if he was convicted to the case charged against him. Besides, the case filed against Baladad is still going on, said Coballes.

Coballes said that Baladad, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1982, got the 3rd ID post effective June 20, the retirement date of Mabanta.

Baladad now relinquished his position as AFP deputy chief of staff for operations and was replaced by Brig. Gen Rodelio Santos (PMA Class 1983).  (FREEMAN)