AFP Chief of Staff Apologizes
Exactly
a month ago.
“Madam,
Sir, in public, if the military has offended you in previous years, I offer my
deepest apologies.”
General
Carlito Galvez Jr, AFP Chief of Staff and 2018 Ateneo Peace Awardee, in a most
unexpected gesture, expressed his sincerest apology to fellow awardees Bro
Carlito “Karl” Gaspar CSsR and the late Antonio Nieva represented by his
daughter Aleta Nieva-Nishimori, both victims of Martial Law, at the AdZU
Special Awards convocation, held August 21, 2018,
at the UCSHJ.
Before
extending his apology, Gen Galvez expressed discomfort to be in the presence of
Bro Gaspar and Nieva. ”I feel really uncomfortable because the two awardees are
victims of Martial Law and I am standing here as the lead administrator of
Martial Law,” the General stated, to which the audience responded with
resounding applause.
The
audience was taken by yet another surprise when the General made a pledge,
saying, “Never Again it will happen.” He explained that just a few days back,
he led the swearing in of soldiers in promoting the International Humanitarian
Law (IHL). “We will always respect the rule of law, and we will always respect
human rights,” the General stressed. To this, the audience once again showed
their appreciation by giving him another round of applause.
Bro
Gaspar was conferred the Pro Deo et Patria Award, for fighting for the poor and
for peace during Martial Law, while Nieva was bestowed upon the Mayor Cesar C
Climaco Award for defending and fighting for press freedom during the same
period, described as “a most turbulent time in Philippine history”.
