From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 29, 2021): AFP exec goes on leave after NPA list gaffe (By Priam Nepomuceno)
AFP Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations, Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo. (File photo)
The head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)'s civil-military operations group whose office is responsible for the posting of the erroneous list of alleged New People's Army (NPA) members which drew flak on social media decided to take a leave of absence in light of the investigations into the matter.
"In the light of these developments, I will go on a leave of absence so as not to influence the ongoing investigation," AFP Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations, Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo said in a message to reporters late Thursday.
Arevalo said he is coming out with this statement to reiterate what he had said many times in "past interviews."
He also reiterated that the erroneous list was a mistake committed by a staff of his office, adding that he will take responsibility for the matter.
"I personally take responsibility for their actions. This is the reason why I issued a public apology and reiterated it in my succeeding interviews. The procedure my staff did to post in FB (Facebook) was confined in my office," Arevalo said.
Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said AFP chief, Gen. Gilbert Gapay commended the magnanimity of the head of the Civil-Military Operations.
"The CSAFP (Chief-of-Staff AFP) commends the magnanimity of Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo in requesting for a leave of absence while the investigation is ongoing. CSAFP granted his request and relieved him as J-7 for purposes of the investigation," he added.
The military spokesperson added that the decision was made official by the Board of Generals (BOG) that resolved also to relieve Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Intelligence Maj. Gen. Alex Luna for purposes of investigation.
"The BOG likewise agreed that the deputies of the offices of J-7 and J-2 be designated as Chiefs in acting capacities," he added.
Likewise, he said the inquiry ordered by Gapay seeks to determine the extent of responsibility and accountability of those involved in the erroneous post; how the AFP can improve its systems of vetting and release of information; what updates are needed in our social media policy; and measures that may be instituted to ensure that the incident will not happen again.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, meanwhile, said Arevalo's decision to go on a leave of absence is totally unnecessary.
"That is a laudable act of Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo but totally unnecessary as I don’t think the case warrants a formal inquiry. It is an open and shut case: a list was given by an office to another office which proved to be garbage and coming from the intelligence division? As I said it was an unpardonable gaffe," he said when sought by reporters for a reaction on the matter.
Lorenzana also said the morale of the AFP is not affected by the relief of Luna from his post over the incident.
"I think the morale of the AFP is not adversely affected by the relief of MGen Luna. Everyone knows the principle of command responsibility: a commander is responsible for whatever his unit does or fails to do. My action means that every one knows this by heart and abides by it. I will not allow subordinates to be scapegoats," he added.
Earlier, the military apologized for those who were inadvertently affected by inconsistencies regarding the list of students who joined the NPA (died or captured) that was posted in the AFP Information Exchange Facebook account.
The article has since been immediately taken down or deleted from the military's 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," it added.
On Thursday, Lorenzana has ordered the immediate relief of Luna following the gaffe.
He added the publication of an erroneous list, originating from Luna's office of alleged NPA members killed by the military is an unforgivable lapse.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1128921
"In the light of these developments, I will go on a leave of absence so as not to influence the ongoing investigation," AFP Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations, Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo said in a message to reporters late Thursday.
Arevalo said he is coming out with this statement to reiterate what he had said many times in "past interviews."
He also reiterated that the erroneous list was a mistake committed by a staff of his office, adding that he will take responsibility for the matter.
"I personally take responsibility for their actions. This is the reason why I issued a public apology and reiterated it in my succeeding interviews. The procedure my staff did to post in FB (Facebook) was confined in my office," Arevalo said.
Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said AFP chief, Gen. Gilbert Gapay commended the magnanimity of the head of the Civil-Military Operations.
"The CSAFP (Chief-of-Staff AFP) commends the magnanimity of Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo in requesting for a leave of absence while the investigation is ongoing. CSAFP granted his request and relieved him as J-7 for purposes of the investigation," he added.
The military spokesperson added that the decision was made official by the Board of Generals (BOG) that resolved also to relieve Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Intelligence Maj. Gen. Alex Luna for purposes of investigation.
"The BOG likewise agreed that the deputies of the offices of J-7 and J-2 be designated as Chiefs in acting capacities," he added.
Likewise, he said the inquiry ordered by Gapay seeks to determine the extent of responsibility and accountability of those involved in the erroneous post; how the AFP can improve its systems of vetting and release of information; what updates are needed in our social media policy; and measures that may be instituted to ensure that the incident will not happen again.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, meanwhile, said Arevalo's decision to go on a leave of absence is totally unnecessary.
"That is a laudable act of Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo but totally unnecessary as I don’t think the case warrants a formal inquiry. It is an open and shut case: a list was given by an office to another office which proved to be garbage and coming from the intelligence division? As I said it was an unpardonable gaffe," he said when sought by reporters for a reaction on the matter.
Lorenzana also said the morale of the AFP is not affected by the relief of Luna from his post over the incident.
"I think the morale of the AFP is not adversely affected by the relief of MGen Luna. Everyone knows the principle of command responsibility: a commander is responsible for whatever his unit does or fails to do. My action means that every one knows this by heart and abides by it. I will not allow subordinates to be scapegoats," he added.
Earlier, the military apologized for those who were inadvertently affected by inconsistencies regarding the list of students who joined the NPA (died or captured) that was posted in the AFP Information Exchange Facebook account.
The article has since been immediately taken down or deleted from the military's 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," it added.
On Thursday, Lorenzana has ordered the immediate relief of Luna following the gaffe.
He added the publication of an erroneous list, originating from Luna's office of alleged NPA members killed by the military is an unforgivable lapse.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1128921
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