Solons press Balikatan fund mess probe

TWO resolutions were filed in the House of Representatives urging two committees to investigate the reported Balikatan 2007 fund scam.
   
The resolutions filed by militant solons asked Congress to provide assistance and protection to Lt. Sr. Grade Nancy Gadian and her children.
   
In a press conference, Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza asked the Armed Forces to lift the shoot-to-kill order against Gadian if there was indeed an order.
  
 “Let Gadian speak. Let the truth come out. If there is no shoot-to-kill order, then the AFP should clarify this. Such order is prohibiting Gadian to come out and prove her allegations,” she said.
   
It was Gadian who disclosed that some high-ranking officials of the Western Mindanao Command, including Ret. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, pocketed Balikatan funds. Of the P46 million budget provided by the US, only P2.3 million was used for Filipino troops, she said.
   
Maza and Representatives Luz Ilagan, Rafael Mariano, Joel Maglungsod and Raymond Palatino filed House Resolution 1160 directing the Committees on National Defense and Good Government to conduct an inquiry into the alleged pocketing of millions of pesos of Balikatan funds.
   
Bayan Muna Representatives Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casino and Neri Colmenares also filed HR 1159 seeking to provide security for Gadian.
    
“Being a woman and mother who has nothing to gain and everything to lose for standing up against the powerful and corrupt in the AFP, Gadian is now the subject of a vilification campaign by the  AFP and alleged threats to her life,” the resolution said.
   
Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile however said the issue should be left with the Judge Advocate General of the Armed Forces.
  
‘‘It should be investigate by the JAGO. There is a military justice system, they have to perform their job,’’ he said.