DND chief downplays Faeldons YouTube videos
Vote: Video Submitted on May 28, 2008
The Philippine Star
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has belittled fugitive Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon’s appearance in a taped interview posted on YouTube, the popular video sharing site on the Internet, saying the officer’s claim does not reflect the sentiment of the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Instead, Teodoro believes Faeldon’s appearance in the four-part video, was only meant to protect himself while he is on the run.
“You know if a person is on the run, afoul of the law, you know he’ll use asymmetric means to protect himself and perhaps the captain – if that is truly him – has nothing else to do but that,” he said.
Teodoro said Faeldon’s statement on the video does not influence soldiers, because the fugitive officer’s credibility within the organization has suffered a lot.
“He is not a credible spokesman for the sentiments of our soldiers. I do not think he wields any influence in the Armed Forces of the Philippines at all,” Teodoro said.
Faeldon said in the interview that he would not accept any offer for pardon from the government, particularly from President Arroyo because she does not have the mandate to grant pardon due to questions on the legitimacy of her presidency.
The Marine captain, who is also facing charges for the failed 2003 Oakwood mutiny said in the interview that he is against armed means of instituting changes in the government, as uniting the country should not involve the use of arms and violence.
Faeldon, who went missing at the height of the Nov. 29 Manila Peninsula standoff, said there are still non-violent means of pursuing reforms that should be taken instead of rising up in arms.
The fugitive junior officer has been the subject of military and police manhunt operations since the Manila Pen siege. A P1 million bounty has been offered for his capture. – James Mananghaya
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