Appointment of Morong 43 tormentor hit

MANILA, Philippines—The lawyers of “Morong 43” on Friday branded as a virtual promotion President Aquino’s appointment of Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia as commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City.

“P-Noy’s (President Aquino) cavalier move indubitably insults and spits on the still fresh wounds of the victims who were illegally arrested, detained and systematically tortured under Segovia’s command,” said Edre Olalia, secretary general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers that represented the Morong 43.

Olalia said Segovia headed the 2nd Infantry Division that seized the 43 health workers in February 2010 from a resort in Morong, Rizal on suspicion they were communist rebels, and had “boastfully” defended the actions of his men.

The health workers were eventually freed after Mr. Aquino assumed office.

Segovia’s designation as Eastmincom commander would lead to his promotion to lieutenant general. Segovia is a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s Mapitagan Class of 1980, which has adopted Mr. Aquino’s four sisters, Pinky, Viel, Balsy and Kris, Olalia said.

“The utter insensitivity of the administration to the grievances of the Morong 43 victims speaks a whole heap about the attitude of P-Noy with respect to upholding human rights—indifferent, benighted and complacent,” he said.

Olalia said Segovia’s promotion only showed that an officer responsible for rights violations was “not only left to wander at will but rewarded with undeserved professional advancement.”

“Practically nothing has changed and the system that bred impunity during the Arroyo regime is still in place. Years from now, when another Palparan would rear its ugly head and become almost uncontrollable, we will not relish saying, ‘we told you so,’” Olalia said of fugitive retired Gen. Jovito Palparan who has dodged arrest in connection with the 2006 disappearance of two state university students.