Press Release
October 2, 2007

KIKO HITS AFP CHIEF FOR DENYING
'DESTABILIZER' MEDICAL ATTENTION

"Allow Gen. Miranda to seek doctor's help for humanitarian reasons!"

Senate Majority Leader Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan today severely criticized AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon for denying former Marines Commandant Gen. Renato Miranda from seeking medical help.

"Hindi makatarungan, at lalung-lalong hindi makatao ang pagdadamot ng AFP kay Gen. Miranda na maghanap ng lunas sa kanyang mga karamdaman."

"The AFP must, if only for humanitarian reasons, allow Gen. Miranda to go to the hospital to seek medical treatment," pleaded the Senator.

Esperon, according to reports, said Miranda is not entitled to an executive checkup because he is a "destabilizer."

Miranda is detained for allegedly leading a failed power grab last year. His comrade and fellow coup leader, former Army Scout Rangers commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim said during court martial proceedings last week that Miranda has been suffering from life-threatening illnesses such as hypertension, high blood sugar count, and vertigo.

Lim also revealed that Miranda, who is his roommate at the detention center in Camp Capinpin, has also been suffering from an ear infection, and even collapsed once while inside the bathroom.

"Miranda's case has not yet been decided by the military court. The AFP has yet to prove his guilt in last year's failed power grab. He is, therefore, still innocent until proven otherwise. And even if Miranda is guilty indeed, I believe it is beyond the power of Esperon or any other public official to deny a person from seeking medical attention."

"In case Gen. Miranda's condition further deteriorates, in case he slips into coma due to his low blood sugar, or God forbid, in case the general dies in Camp Capinpin which has no adequate medical facilities, will Gen. Esperon take responsibility for the result of his actions?" Sen. Kiko lamented

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