Home > Op-ed | To bottom

Command responsibility

The Philippine National Police have already identified possible suspects in the murder of Ricardo Ramos namely Roderick “Joshua” de la Cruz and Romeo Castillo Jr., both sergeants of the 7th Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army (PA) under the command of General Jovito Palparan.

Indeed, this is a positive step in seeking justice for the death of Ramos.

But the PNP should be warned that any attempts to whitewash the investigation will only spur unrest. Furthermore, the investigation should focus not only to those who participated in the assassination either as the triggerman or lookouts but should answer the bigger question on who the mastermind is.

Also, it should deeply look into the probable involvement of soldiers stationed in Barangay Mapalacsiao whose detachment is about 20 meters away from the incident. Why did the soldiers flee right after the incident? And how did the gunman, carrying an M14 rifle, enter Hacienda Luisita, which has detachments in every entrance and soldiers patrolling its premises, without being detected? And how did he/she escape after wards?

Soldiers, particularly the non-commissioned officers don’t act on their own especially in cases of assassinations. #

Home > Op-ed | Back to top