Estrada defends arming civilians at slain officer’s wake
Says military under Arroyo ‘weak’
By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Visayas Bureau
First Posted 17:54:00 08/29/2008
ILOILO CITY, Philippines -- Former president Joseph Estrada said here Friday that civilians in Mindanao should not be blamed for arming themselves against Moro rebels because President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s leadership had left the military “so weak.”
Short of justifying the existence of the “Ilaga” (Visayan for rats), Estrada said the reemergence of the notorious vigilante group "only goes to show that the military is so weak under the leadership of the commander-in-chief now.”
“During my time we didn't need the Ilaga," Estrada told reporters at the wake for Army Lieutenant Colonel Angel Benitez at the family residence in Barangay (village) Tabuc Suba in Jaro District here.
Estrada visited the Benitez home four days after Arroyo, accompanied by top government and military officials, did.
Arroyo, Estrada’s vice president, succeeded him after he was ousted in 2001 by a popular uprising.
Benitez, 40, executive officer of the 102nd Army Brigade, was among the soldiers killed when Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels attacked five towns in Lanao del Norte on August 18. He is scheduled to be buried Saturday.
"You cannot blame these people [who] arm themselves because they are afraid they cannot be protected by the military now. If [they] cannot be protected by the Armed Forces, we cannot blame them" for arming themselves, he said.
Estrada called the death of Benitez a great loss and said with better leadership, the officer "would still be alive today." He said that, when he declared an all-out war against the MILF during his presidency, government forces overran 46 rebel camps.
However, Estrada said a ceasefire should be declared during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in deference to the religious beliefs of the Moro rebels.
Estrada arrived at the Benitez home at around 10:55 a.m. and stayed for around 30 minutes, talking with the officer’s widow, Maria Elena, and her four children.
Residents flocked to the Benitez residence to see the former president, an action star, and shake his hand.
Estrada he gave the Benitez family P300,000 and assured them that he will support the education of the four children, aged 9 to 15, until they finish whatever course they want to take, including medicine.
When told that Arroyo had given the same assistance to the Benitez family on Monday, Estrada said his assistance was "my duty as the former commander-in-chief."
Maria Elena welcomed the help of Estrada, calling it "a blessing. I'm happy with whatever help for my children."
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