Late Friday evening last February 4, 2011, a call from source, to set for brunch appointment between PCIJ journalist and Angelo “Angie” T. Reyes former AFP chief of staff and Defense Secretary.
The source was a trusted senior (–foul word(s) removed–)ociate of Angelo Reyes who is ordered to set the appointment with an independent journalist to tell his story.
“Would I interview him” said the PCIJ journalist.
Sometime in 2001, the journalist had an interview before with Angelo Reyes regarding the rushed and overpriced irregular purchase of “Four 30-year-old C-130-K” military cargo planes and 2 sensor equipments for $41-million or P2.1-billion from the US supplier Lockheed Martin.
In the second time around, the journalist has a chance to do a great interview again with Angelo Reyes considering that Angie was vulnerable and under fire in the Senate for the alleged military corruption.
Knowing that Angelo Reyes is a difficult source, often given to intellectual consideration, smart articulate somewhat arrogant in manner, and yes, a bit full of himself, said the journalist.
On Saturday, February 5, 2011, the source said “Angie preparing himself to tell his story” the journalist agreed only after a few minutes thinking what should be the best approach for a good interview.
The journalist honestly told the source about his impression of Angelo Reyes, arrogance and everything. The journalist asked the source if Angie had it in him an indication of humility, courage to tell all about important thing the journalist needed to know. To anticipate, the detail of military corruptions, the cases, the modus and the system in the government etc.
The journalist told the source that it seems to be clear that apart from military senior officers; corruption is getting worse and worse with all the knowledge of chiefs of staff, defense secretaries, presidents, and even the members of Congress are knowledgeable about the case.
The source said that he would tell to Angie everything and get back to the journalist. Exchanging text messages took place between the journalist and the source while Angie is thinking, reflected on his options, and consulted his sons regarding the interview.
On Sunday, February 6, 2011 at around 8:00 p.m. the source informed the journalist that Angie is ready to talk and the meeting was final. But a few minutes later the source informed that Angie had changed his mind and cancels the appointment. Another few minutes, the source called again informing that the meeting was a go once more. The journalist was almost to go out when the source again inform that Angie has changed his mind. Then, the journalist decided that they should respect whatever decision Angie should make.
On Tuesday, February 8, 2011 that is the day Angelo Reyes took his life. The journalist had learned from the source that Angelo already prepared for interview. In few hours last Sunday morning Angie and the source sat down to organize his words and thoughts preparing to two considered options: an interview with the PCIJ journalist, or final statement he will issue under his name to be given to the media. He asked his trusted (–foul word(s) removed–)ociate to put into writing all his thoughts and feelings.
Looking back Reyes intention in writing his final testament, he obviously meant it, but conceal the card very close to his chest, said the source. The notes are incomplete because their conversation was not finished, “I apologize to leave you for my lunch appointment”, said Angie.
As the source remembered, Angie reminds him “Please lang, importanteing-importante ito” Angie said.
Angie shook the resource hand after saying goodbye more tightly than usual, said the source. He was hesitant again whether to grant the interview or not. Many considerations hover in his mind: “he really did not want to destroy anyone, especially in the circle of his buddy in the AFP; he also did not want to be a cause of putting the AFP into irreparable damage and there are a lot more” said the source.
He would want to take part in cleaning the morally corrupt system but only in a right way and rational manner.
The beginning of their conversation was recorded on tape. Later a minute after Reyes asked the source to put into writings whatever discussion took place in their home in Taguig. The source gave the notes he was written during conversation together with the captured verbatim to the PCIJ journalist.
With all respect from his widow and sons, PCIJ has decided to let Angelo Reyes tell his story in verbatim. The notes during discussion are rough and there are parts unpolished in some areas incomplete. But they were all Angelo Reyes testimony in words and thoughts as of Sunday, February 6, 2011 2 days before he kill himself with gunshot in his heart.
Below is the original testament of Reyes put into writings by the SOURCE and soon after was given to the PCIJ journalist.
“Life without Honor is a tragedy”
“Honor, truth, justice. Honor above all else. Pride goes with it, self-respect, sense of legacy. This is very, very important to me. Sometimes, I am accused of being arrogant. I like to have plenty – a healthy sense – of self-esteem. I react to affronts on this.
There are two options available: to stonewall/fight the legal battle, or to come clean and make my own contribution to cleanse the system.
Stonewalling, I am told, would result in a long, protracted legal battle. However, past cases are not being resolved either way, kept in state of limbo. People’s memories are short and all this will eventually fade into public disinterest, and eventually oblivion. So, not to worry.
Coming clean, on the other hand, cannot be done without giving up something. I have decided to come clean, bare my heart and speak the truth. The truth can cut two ways: 1. If you are guiltless, you can embrace the truth and hope that it will protect you; 2. If you are not guiltless, speak the truth and it shall set you free.
I speak the truth not to whistle-blow or to seek neither immunity nor protection nor to escape from any form of liability. As a matter of fact, I speak the truth to accept responsibility for whatever liability I may have.
Honor is above all else. More valuable than freedom or even life itself. Therefore, honor must be guarded/defended with your life.
Living life without honor is a tragedy bigger than death itself.
Stonewalling would mean I would have to go on every day of my life or at least a large part of it under a cloud of public suspicion, at least until the case is resolved. Every day as you continue to live with the lie, you lose a little of your self-respect. And every day, as people look at you, you can read from their minds that they find you dishonorable, and you die a little. So if you stonewall – and you have the connections, resources and power to sustain it, and perhaps the thick face to endure it – that would be the preferred option. I have none of these, and so I choose the path of honor.
My honor has been attacked and damaged. I still have a lot of pride and self-respect, and I’d like to come clean to preserve whatever honor is left.
We see plenty of people walking around who have been clearly disgraced in the eyes of the people, and I do not want to join their ranks.
I think if you want to cleanse the system and for there to be justice, it should be applied equally and well. Our experience has shown that those with position and power, support and connection invariably go scot-free. I don’t have any of these.
It is unfortunate that we have a huge canvas here of which, I admit, I have been a part; unfortunately, people are now inclined to make me the face of that problem for their own various reasons.
When I participated in EDSA II, even then I anticipated that something like this would happen when I made enemies both on a personal and official level. In my long years of service, I knew that I would have to come to terms with this enmity some day.
I might not be guiltless/faultless, but I am not as evil as some would like to portray.
To my friends and those who have known me and believed in me, I honestly believe I did not let you down.
I want to (–foul word(s) removed–)ure the (PMA) cadet corps, current and future, that there are plenty of military professionals who have served and will continue to serve the country well. Do not be disheartened by this turn of events. Yours is a noble profession (of arms), and you should feel no shame. I have tried to live with integrity, loyalty, and courage.
In my 48 years of public service, I have tried to live up to the highest levels of professionalism and integrity. Whether it’s my (–foul word(s) removed–)ignment with the AFP-RSBS or with the Anti-Smuggling Task Force, I never received any offers of bribes; in fact, I returned them. In all my (–foul word(s) removed–)ignments, 39 years in the military and 9 years in four different Cabinet positions, I have never had any favorite supplier. Neither have I ever extorted money nor set any financial precondition for the approval of any contract. I can honestly say that I served honestly and well.
We are now in the situation where my honor and the family name are at stake. My family, my children, my grandchildren could say with a lot of truthfulness and pride that in the family, we value honor and integrity. Strength to live it and the courage to face up to the truth. This is the legacy I would like to leave with them.
Honor, truth, but there must be justice. And justice can be served if laws are applied evenly and well – not favoring the rich and powerful. I hope my case/situation will not be used as something that would bring closure to the issue of military corruption. The fight to reform the system and the entire country must continue; the sad part is that they are selectively targeting individuals and institutions.
I did not invent corruption. I walked into it. Perhaps my first fault was in having accepted aspects of it as a fact of life.
While I am familiar with finance, I must admit I had scant knowledge of military comptrollership. Personally, zero experience. Never been (–foul word(s) removed–)igned as disbursement officer, etc., no stint. It’s a military field of specialization that I do not have.
No system is perfect. The AFP system needs a lot of systemic solutions…And the same might be true of some other institutions.
Tinyente pa ako, ganyan na ang sistema (i.e., “conversion” system, etc.)… I can perhaps be faulted for presuming regularity in a grossly imperfect system. As CS (chief of staff), a big landscape, presume regularity, convenient to ignore it, accept it as part of the system. It’s easy to say, institute reforms after the problems have erupted.
I joined EDSA II at great risk. Jumped into a void. Coming from a place that was high and comfortable. Without any regard for compensation or recognition or reward. I thought what I did – being loyal to the Flag and putting the national interest above all else – a right, but I was faulted for not being loyal to the commander-in-chief, that I should have stuck with him to the end, however that end might be. I stuck it out with the GMA administration for 9 years, not under the banner of loyalty; I could have deserted GMA, but I did not want to be branded as someone who abandoned his superiors…”
When we participated in many military campaigns, I would like to think that I showed courage…” – PCIJ, February 2011