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AFP intel chief axed over 'Reds' false list

By Priam Nepomuceno

January 28, 2021, 1:54 pm

<p>Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. <em>(File photo)</em></p>

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. (File photo)

MANILA – Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday has ordered the immediate relief of the intelligence chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) following the release of an erroneous list of New People's Army (NPA) communist terrorists killed by the military.

"I am relieving Maj. Gen. Alex Luna from his post as Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Intelligence, J-2, effective today (28 Jan 2021)," Lorenzana said in a statement sent to reporters.

He added that the publication of an erroneous list of NPA rebels killed in military operations that came from Luna's office is an unforgivable lapse.

"His negligence only shows a lackadaisical attitude towards his job resulting in confusion and damage to reputation. We do not take these offenses lightly and I want to hold the people involved accountable," Lorenzana said.

Asked why he gave such a stinging rebuke to Luna, Lorenzana replied: "That language is needed to jolt the whole organization into taking their jobs seriously. There is an investigation going on but I based my decision under the principle of command responsibility: a commander is responsible for whatever his unit does or fails to do. Alam nila lahat ito (They all know what this means)."

Luna will be placed under the supervision of the office of AFP chief due to his relief, Lorenzana said.

Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said AFP chief Gen. Gilbert Gapay ordered on January 25 an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

"The findings and recommendations from the inquiry seek to determine who are responsible for the release of the assailed information and how we can improve our systems on vetting and releasing of information," he added.

Despite Lorenzana's relief order against Luna, Arevalo said this does not mean that the AFP is halting the investigation.

"The probe continues so we can establish what went wrong and what may still be improved to ensure that the incident will not happen again," he added.

Arevalo also the AFP is committed to improve its systems and processes as we continue to serve our country the best way it could.

The military earlier apologized to those who were inadvertently named in the list of students who joined the NPA and allegedly died or were captured.

The list was posted in the AFP Information Exchange Facebook account and has since been immediately taken down or deleted from its social media accounts.

"The Office of the J-7 (Civil-Military Operations) AFP is already conducting an internal investigation as to how the list got published. Personnel who are responsible will be held to account," the AFP earlier said. (PNA)

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