ShareThisFVR hails him for ‘sacrifice,’ role in EDSA 2
By FRANCO G. REGALA
Chief Correspondent
QUEZON CITY – Former Defense Secretary and Armed Forces chief of staff Angelo Reyes died Tuesday morning of a gunshot wound in an apparent suicide at the graveyard of his parents at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.
The news of his death shocked and saddened the nation, including President Benigno S. Aquino III, former President now Pampanga congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, former President Fidel V. Ramos, his classmates in the Philippine Military Academy and the Philippine National Police led by Director General Raul Bacalzo.
President Aquino extended his condolences to the family of Reyes, saying he was shocked by reports of the latter’s apparent suicide.
“Nagulat tayo sa pangyayari at nakikiramay tayo sa pamilya ni Secretary Reyes,” the President said .
“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes,” the President said.
Full military honors will be accorded to Reyes, 65, who also served as secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Energy under the Arroyo administration. He was number 7 in the class 1966 of the Philippine Military Academy, obtained his masters degrees at the Asian Institute of Management and National Defense College and studied at Harvard University.
AFP officials said with the consent of the family, Reyes would be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
The Armed Forces said it has prepared a 19-gun salute and flower drop from helicopters as part of the military honors for Reyes.
Former President Fidel Ramos said Reyes took his own life in the belief that it could save the institution that he loved so much.
“He, in fact, tried to save the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Ramos said “This is what we call our caring, our sharing and our daring for others.”
Ramos said Filipinos must “remember the contribution” of Reyes to the EDSA 2 people power revolt despite the allegation of corruption against him.
The defection of Reyes, then AFP chief of staff, to EDSA 2 forces spelled doom for then President Joseph Estrada.
Ramos said stamping out corruption in the military and the police should be a concerted effort.
“It will take more than the Senate and the House (of Representatives) to solve that problem. It must come from every soldier and policeman with determined effort and leadership, from no less than the president as the commander-in-chief,” Ramos said.
The body of Reyes was brought to the Arlington Chapel in Quezon City from the hospital where he was rushed. Many friends and supporters joined the mourning for his death, but his family barred his critics, particularly the 1-UTAK party-list group, and those who allegedly maligned him, from the chapel and funeral service later.
Friends and fellow worker who paid their respects to Reyes included Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, former Senator Richard Gordon, former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Congressman Diosdado Arroyo, Atty. Salvador Panelo, and Candaba, Pampanga Mayor Jerry Pelayo.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo was also there and expressed shock at his sudden death.
Also at the wake was former prime minister Cesar Virata.
Former Tarlac Gov. Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco said, “He was a leader because he was stern but he was kind and he had a very good sense of humor. I will miss him because we got pretty close to each other.”
A mass was held on the first night of the wake and many other personalities are expected to attend the wake in the coming days.
Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan III was also at the chapel. He and Reyes were supposed to meet as the latter was going to relinquish his post as president of the Harvard Club.
Business leaders Donald Dee and Sergio Luis Ortiz also came separately. They said the news about Reyes’s death was “shocking”.
The children of Reyes expressed disappointment over published accounts regarding their father’s reputation following the general’s death..
In a statement, his children, Bogie, Jett, Marc, Carlo, and Judd Reyes, questioned the accounts being released in newspapers, television, radio and public gatherings.
“Some of these accounts have been grossly inaccurate, terribly unfair, and downright vicious. We suppose that’s part of the price a public servant has to pay. But it pains us greatly that a good and kind-hearted man like our Papa can be maligned so casually,” they said.
Reyes’ children cited their father’s achievements as “a dedicated soldier for 39 years” and a family man through all those years.
They said that in spite of his achievements, Reyes maintained a low profile among his constituents.
“He demands the best from his subordinates, striving for excellence in any endeavor, but finds contentment in eating corned beef, monggo, and sardines…can easily strike up a sincere conversation even with the lowest ranking soldier, policeman, or barangay tanod,” they said.
They also noted his bravery in the face of crisis. “He was instrumental in Edsa 2 where he had to withdraw support from President Estrada for the higher interest of the nation, but was man enough to go to Malacanang and face the beleaguered president to perform his duty,” they said.
They said their father has “never spoken ill of anyone in public – not even those who have openly or secretly attacked him.”
“He is and will forever be, our idol – and no amount of ridiculous rumors, intrigues, and accusations from the ignorant, the envious, and those who have nothing better to do than to cowardly criticize him, will ever change that,” they said.
A few days before Reyes claimed his life, he confided to a military officer about how frustrated he was over congressional inquiries on the alleged corruption in the Armed Forces.
Col. Edgardo de Leon, operations officer of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division in Davao City, said his former boss’ decision to take his own life was his way of saving the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as an institution.
“Sir Angie had always been for the preservation of the institution,” De Leon said.
De Leon said Reyes had told him that “personal vengeance” was the real motivation behind the Senate investigation.
“According to him (last week), the current congressional probes, which he believed were meant as a personal vengeance for his EDSA 2 action, have affected the institution. The trial by publicity at the Senate may have drawn a wedge between the officers and rank and file leading to leadership breakdown in the AFP,” said De Leon.
“Once, he insinuated that he would even offer his life to save the institution. I never thought that he was that serious,” De Leon said.
“I believe it pained him most to be accused of using the money that were intended as salary of soldiers, which he never did. On the contrary, he was known in the Army and the AFP as very generous to soldiers, looking after their welfare regardless of rank, regardless of whether you’re a PMAer or not,” he added.
De Leon said Reyes called him up Friday and told him about being deprived of the chance to give his side during the inquiry.
De Leon served as administrative officer under Reyes when he was AFP chief from July 1999 up to March 2001 and when he was defense secretary from March 2001 up to August 2003. He also served as head executive assistant at the interior department when Reyes was interior secretary.
De Leon said Reyes also complained to him how some lawmakers were cutting him off every time he tried to give his give his side, to the point that one of the senators told him, during a Senate hearing, that he had no reputation to protect.
De Leon said Reyes believed that the “trial by publicity at the Senate may draw a wedge between the officers and rank and file, leading to leadership breakdown in the AFP.”
“I believe it pained him most to be accused of using the money that was intended as salary of soldiers, which he never did. On the contrary, he was known in the Army and AFP as very generous to soldiers, looking after their welfare regardless of rank, regardless of whether you’re a PMAyer or not,” De Leon said.
De Leon said he did not sense Reyes would commit suicide. But he said Reyes had repeatedly told him, like a broken record, “All my life, I’ve been wanting an exciting life but I don’t like it to be this exciting.”
Other developments:
1. The Philippine Army (PA) said that the morale of its officers and men remains high as the ground arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) maintains its commitment to serve the nation despite the issues of alleged graft and corruption in the military, according to Army spokesman Col. Antonio Parlade who assured that the leadership of the PA is intact and not affected by the “sendoff money” issue and other alleged scandals haunting the AFP.
“We strongly believe in our government, and the truth will come out,” Parlade said as he dismissed reports that the Army chain of command is in low morale.
2. Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said that the investigation into the fund anomaly in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will continue despite the death of former AFP chief of staff and erstwhile Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes.
De Lima said that the DOJ actually is the one being expected to initiate the official process that would lead to prosecution.
“This is the best time, this is the best opportunity na kalkalin ang katiwalian sa (to dig into the anomaly in the) military. This is the best time to do it. Hindi natin dapat sayangin ang ginagawa nina Col. Rabusa, Col. Lim at Heidi Mendoza (We should not waste what Col. Rabusa, Col. Lim and Heidi Mendoza are doing), De Lima said.
“We have to seize the moment,” De Lima said.
3. Senate President Pro-Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said that there is no need to invite the wife and children of the late Angelo Reyes in the next Senate inquiry on the alleged top-level corruption in the military.
”There’s no need for that,” Estrada said, referring to the opinion of fellow Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago that Reyes’ wife Teresita and children can be summoned following the death of Reyes at the height of congressional inquiries into his involvement in the alleged irregularities in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
”Senator Miriam has her own opinion. But me, I think there is no need for that,” Estrada said.
Former AFP budget officer retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa had exposed before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senator Teofisto Guingona III, about the alleged “pabaon at pasalubong system” (send-off gift/token) to former AFP chiefs of staff ranging from P50 million up to P160 million.
Former Commission on Audit (COA) auditor Heidi Mendoza divulged before the House Justice Committee, chaired by Iloilo City Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., about the alleged unaudited disbursements made by former AFP comptroller retired Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garcia that amounted to some P200 million.
Reyes shot himself in the wake of congressional investigation into alleged widespread corruption in the military in which he was accused by his former military budget officer Lt. Col. George Rabusa of receiving P50 million as “pabaon” when he retired as AFP chief of staff and of other anomalies, all of which Reyes categorically denied.
The family of Reyes is devastated and grieving over his sudden death as it assailed his critics of fabricating lies to discredit him and the family.
Family spokesperson Patricia Daza said family members do not wish to receive flowers or prayers from the critics of Reyes, including a party-list group which won for him a seat in the House of Representatives but later junked him.
Family membrs thanked Reyes’s friends and supporters who condoled with them.
“We find strength in our unwavering belief that all his life, our father served our country with honor, dedication and integrity,” said the family in a statement read by Daza.
Senators led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile were saddened by the ‘unfortunate’ demise of Reyes.
“It’s unfortunate, we are sad that this happened, but we are doing a duty, and anyone who is hailed in this Senate to answer questions must be prepared to defend himself. Of course we will not tolerate any act that will demean or inflict indignities to a member of the public who will appear before us,” Enrile said.
The family spokesperson said that prior to the incident, Reyes showed signs of depression.
“He has lost a lot of weight. He was very depressed, he lost a lot of focus,” said Daza.
The apparent tipping point for Reyes was when his wife was dragged into the military corruption issue.
“He wanted to spare his family, the military, PMA [Philippine Military Academy]. Till the very end, he was a general,” Daza added.
Reyes’s body lies at the Ascencion Chapel at the Arlington Memorial Center.
President Aquino said full military honors will be given to Reyes.
Former AFP Chief of Staff Dionisio Santiago lauded Reyes, saying he tried to salvage what was left of the military and PMA’s good image.
“That act is an act of courage to save his beloved alma mater, the PMA,” he said.
Reyes had visited the graves of his late parents Pablo Paralejas Reyes and Purificacion Tomas Reyes at the Garden of Prayer at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City at 7:30 a.m., where he later shot himself in his chest.
His sons, Judd and Carlo, rushed Reyes to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center. Reyes was declared dead on arrival.
Santiago said Reyes was a tough guy but had a soft heart when it came to his family. He also lamented that Reyes was never confirmed in the Commission on Appointments when he was part of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Cabinet.
Former TESDA Chairman Augusto Syjuico paid respect to Reyes. “It is a tragedy that a man like Angie Reyes found a reason to take his life. I think that the doubts that was cast upon his honor was too bad for him to take,” he said.
Mrs. Arroyo, her husband Mike Arroyo, and son Mikey Arroyo also paid respect to Reyes.
In a statement, the Philippine National Police said that initial investigation showed the “gunshot wound that took the life of the late Secretary appear to have been self-inflicted.”
Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, former Reyes’ subordinate who named the former AFP chief of staff as one of the top officials involved in the corruption in the military, appealed to respect the privacy of the family of Reyes.
”First of all, I extend my condolences to the family of the late general Angelo Reyes. They need strength at this time,” Trillanes said. “Maybe for until we get to bury the departed out of respect but ultimately we have to continue with the investigation.”
Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada also extended his condolences to the bereaved family of Reyes, calling the incident a ‘truly a sad episode” in the country’s history.
”I just hope that Sec. Reyes’ death will bring the changes toward deeper enlightenment and understanding our country so greatly deserves,” Estrada said.
Estrada clarified he was not guilty despite exposing 48 foreign travels of Reyes’ wife and Reyes’ P50 million retirement ‘pabaon’ (send-off) money based on the testimony of former military budget officer retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa.
”I’m not guilty. I’m just doing my job,” Estrada said in a media interview before the session.
Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan described Reyes’ death as “tragedy”, expressing his condolences to the Reyes family.
“It started in an investigation in the Senate that ended in a suicide. Reyes’ death should serve as a lesson to everyone and should pave the way for true reform in the military,” Pangilinan said.
Senate committee on defense chairman Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero said he was “extremely shocked” with what happened that no one can imagine Reyes will do amid the investigations of irregularities in the AFP.
Escudero was one of the four senators whom Reyes wanted to inhibit from the Senate proceedings due to their alleged.
Pangilinan said Reyes’ death should serve as a lesson to everyone and should pave the way for true reform in the military “cold neutrality.” Other senators are Estrada, Trillanes and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
Santiago, on the other hand, said the death of Reyes eliminates both his criminal and civil liabilities in the allegations that he pocketed millions.
Santiago clarified that based on the Penal Code, Reyes’ wife or family would be obliged to return whatever property that will be proved to have been acquired by illegal means.
Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Senator Toefisto Guingona was also shocked when he heard the news about Reyes’ untimely death.
”We share the pain of the Reyes family in this time of great loss. We condole with them and assure them of our prayers,” Guingona said.
”It is unfortunate that our last interface with the late secretary should be under difficult circumstances. However, Secretary Reyes’ untimely death can only further strengthen our resolve to bring the current probe on issues hounding the AFP to a swift, just and rightful conclusion. We are confident that Secretary Reyes shares with all of us the aspiration to help shed light on AFP-related issues and help reform the institution,” he added.
Guingona reset the fourth Senate investigation on February 18. The probe was supposed to be held on Friday.
With the death of Reyes, Senator Gregorio ‘Gringo’ Honasan proposed to define ground rules in conducting ‘moderate’ public hearings.
“So that we do not unnecessarily and prematurely subject any personality or any institution to trial by publicity,” Honasan said.
Honasan said Reyes was ‘possibly’ a victim of trial by publicity that could led Reyes to end his life.
“The results would have to speak for itself according to the theory and now it is being supported by facts that Secretary Reyes took his own life,” Guingona, a former military colonel, said.
Enrile agreed, saying “Angie Reyes adhered to the tenets of the Philippine Military Academy of integrity, courage and loyalty and I think that rather than being embarrassed and losing his honor, he’d rather lose his life and that is what he did.”
The family of Reyes is devastated and grieving over his sudden death as it assailed his critics of fabricating lies to discredit him and the family.
Family spokesperson Patricia Daza said family members do not wish to receive flowers or prayers from the critics of Reyes, including a party-list group which won for him a seat in the House of Representatives but later junked him.
Family membrs thanked Reyes’s friends and supporters who condoled with them.
“We find strength in our unwavering belief that all his life, our father served our country with honor, dedication and integrity,” said the family in a statement read by Daza.
Senators led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile were saddened by the ‘unfortunate’ demise of Reyes.
“It’s unfortunate, we are sad that this happened, but we are doing a duty, and anyone who is hailed in this Senate to answer questions must be prepared to defend himself. Of course we will not tolerate any act that will demean or inflict indignities to a member of the public who will appear before us,” Enrile said.
The family spokesperson said that prior to the incident, Reyes showed signs of depression.
“He has lost a lot of weight. He was very depressed, he lost a lot of focus,” said Daza.
The apparent tipping point for Reyes was when his wife was dragged into the military corruption issue.
“He wanted to spare his family, the military, PMA [Philippine Military Academy]. Till the very end, he was a general,” Daza added.
Reyes’s body lies at the Ascencion Chapel at the Arlington Memorial Center.
President Aquino said full military honors will be given to Reyes.
Former AFP Chief of Staff Dionisio Santiago lauded Reyes, saying he tried to salvage what was left of the military and PMA’s good image.
“That act is an act of courage to save his beloved alma mater, the PMA,” he said.
Reyes had visited the graves of his late parents Pablo Paralejas Reyes and Purificacion Tomas Reyes at the Garden of Prayer at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City at 7:30 a.m., where he later shot himself in his chest.
His sons, Judd and Carlo, rushed Reyes to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center. Reyes was declared dead on arrival.
Santiago said Reyes was a tough guy but had a soft heart when it came to his family. He also lamented that Reyes was never confirmed in the Commission on Appointments when he was part of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Cabinet.
Former TESDA Chairman Augusto Syjuico paid respect to Reyes. “It is a tragedy that a man like Angie Reyes found a reason to take his life. I think that the doubts that was cast upon his honor was too bad for him to take,” he said.
Mrs. Arroyo, her husband Mike Arroyo, and son Mikey Arroyo also paid respect to Reyes.
In a statement, the Philippine National Police said that initial investigation showed the “gunshot wound that took the life of the late Secretary appear to have been self-inflicted.”
Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, former Reyes’ subordinate who named the former AFP chief of staff as one of the top officials involved in the corruption in the military, appealed to respect the privacy of the family of Reyes.
”First of all, I extend my condolences to the family of the late general Angelo Reyes. They need strength at this time,” Trillanes said. “Maybe for until we get to bury the departed out of respect but ultimately we have to continue with the investigation.”
Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada also extended his condolences to the bereaved family of Reyes, calling the incident a ‘truly a sad episode” in the country’s history.
”I just hope that Sec. Reyes’ death will bring the changes toward deeper enlightenment and understanding our country so greatly deserves,” Estrada said.
Estrada clarified he was not guilty despite exposing 48 foreign travels of Reyes’ wife and Reyes’ P50 million retirement ‘pabaon’ (send-off) money based on the testimony of former military budget officer retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa.
”I’m not guilty. I’m just doing my job,” Estrada said in a media interview before the session.
Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan described Reyes’ death as “tragedy”, expressing his condolences to the Reyes family.
“It started in an investigation in the Senate that ended in a suicide. Reyes’ death should serve as a lesson to everyone and should pave the way for true reform in the military,” Pangilinan said.
Senate committee on defense chairman Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero said he was “extremely shocked” with what happened that no one can imagine Reyes will do amid the investigations of irregularities in the AFP.
Escudero was one of the four senators whom Reyes wanted to inhibit from the Senate proceedings due to their alleged
Pangilinan said Reyes’ death should serve as a lesson to everyone and should pave the way for true reform in the military “cold neutrality.” Other senators are Estrada, Trillanes and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
Santiago, on the other hand, said the death of Reyes eliminates both his criminal and civil liabilities in the allegations that he pocketed millions.
Santiago clarified that based on the Penal Code, Reyes’ wife or family would be obliged to return whatever property that will be proved to have been acquired by illegal means.
Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Senator Toefisto Guingona was also shocked when he heard the news about Reyes’ untimely death.
”We share the pain of the Reyes family in this time of great loss. We condole with them and assure them of our prayers,” Guingona said.
”It is unfortunate that our last interface with the late secretary should be under difficult circumstances. However, Secretary Reyes’ untimely death can only further strengthen our resolve to bring the current probe on issues hounding the AFP to a swift, just and rightful conclusion. We are confident that Secretary Reyes shares with all of us the aspiration to help shed light on AFP-related issues and help reform the institution,” he added.
Guingona reset the fourth Senate investigation on February 18. The probe was supposed to be held on Friday.
With the death of Reyes, Senator Gregorio ‘Gringo’ Honasan proposed to define ground rules in conducting ‘moderate’ public hearings.
”So that we do not unnecessarily and prematurely subject any personality or any institution to trial by publicity,” Honasan said.
Honasan said Reyes was ‘possibly’ a victim of trial by publicity that could led Reyes to end his life.
”The results would have to speak for itself according to the theory and now it is being supported by facts that Secretary Reyes took his own life,” Guingona, a former military colonel, said.
Enrile agreed, saying “Angie Reyes adhered to the tenets of the Philippine Military Academy of integrity, courage and loyalty and I think that rather than being embarrassed and losing his honor, he’d rather lose his life and that is what he did.”