Baladad assumes post as Army's 3rd ID chief

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Amid oppositions from human rights groups, Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad has formally assumed the top post at the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division based in Jamindan, Capiz.

Baladad, outgoing AFP deputy chief for operations, was among the military officers who were accused of torture and robbery by the so-called Morong 43, a group of suspected communist rebels who claimed to be rural health workers.

But instead of staging a protest action at Camp Macario Peralta, home of the 3ID and where the ceremony took place, some 15 members Panay Alliance-Karapatan held their symbolic protest in front of Camp Martin Delgado at Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City where there is also an office of the Philippine Army.

When asked of strong opposition over his appointment, Baladad replied: "We are in a democracy. Every citizen has the right to protest. If we are communists, then we could have arrested them. Protest rallies are the essence of democracy."

Baladad however appealed for his side of the controversy to be heard. "What are these accusations of the Morong 43. Who are they? Why is it that during the peace talks held years back in Hong Kong, the CPP-NPA-NDF asked the government to release the Morong 43? What was it insinuating?"

Baladad continued that, based on such request, he perceived the Morong 43 were NPA rebels. "They were arrested by the military and the police via a warrant. There were no human rights violations. All they have were only allegations," he told the local media.

The new 3rd ID commander met the media, apparently prepared to answer the Morong 43 issue. He then presented Ka Deloy, one of the five members of Morong 43 who later admitted that they were NPA members trained on basic medical course.

Deloy, who hails from Malolos, Bulacan, claimed to be an NPA combatant of the Josefino Corpuz Command for seven years. He added that he is ready to testify and prove this information.

Meanwhile, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, who presided yesterday's turn-over of command ceremony, said Baladad is armed with good credentials that made him the right man to head the 3rd ID.  (FREEMAN)