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Pull-out insufficient

The pullout of soldiers in Barangay Mapalacsiao in Hacienda Luisita is highly welcome but is not enough to ensure that a whitewash will not happen in the ongoing investigation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the murder of Ricardo Ramos, president of the Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labor Union (CATLU).

Though the pull-out will facilitate witnesses coming out in the open to help the PNP in identifying the culprits, there is always the pressure from the hierarchy of the PNP and the military. And it is a fact that the military and the PNP have been “helping” each other in peace keeping, insurgency, etc.

Furthermore, progressive organizations have been pointing at General Jovito Palparan as the mastermind not only of the Ramos murder but also of the wave of killings in Central Luzon. Keeping Gen. Palparan, the commander of the 7th IB which operates in Central Luzon and whose two sergeants have been identified as possible suspects in the murder of Ramos, in his current position will definitely have a bearing in the ongoing investigation.

If the military would really want the truth to come out, it should suspend Gen. Palparan. #

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