Bato: ‘Abused’ wives of AFP officers can present their cases in Senate

The alleged abuse of Armed Forces of the Philippines officers against their wives and their children can be presented to the Senate.

This was the remark of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Wednesday amid the case of Ranulfo Sevilla, whose promotion to brigadier general of the AFP was bypassed by the bicameral Commission on Appointments due to marital and child support issues.

“They [can] present themselves. Magpadala sila ng mga position paper nila at ‘yung complaint nila mismo para malaman natin [They can provide their position paper and their complaints so that we’ll know],” Dela Rosa, an alumnus of the Philippine Military Academy, said at a press conference when asked if the Senate is willing to investigate the alleged abuses of wives and children of AFP officers.

While he made the remark, Dela Rosa said that most military officers were “battered husbands,” because their partners are asking them to make up for the time that they are away from home.

“Nagtataka ako kung bakit maraming battered wife. Alam mo kami sa military, mga opisyal, karamihan ang mga officers mismo battered husband. Kasi under the saya kami. Pag-uwi sa bahay, ‘Matagal kang wala sa bahay, palagi ka sa field trabaho mo, dito ka maglaba ka, magplantsa ka, alagaan mo ang anak mo.’ Ganyan karamihan kaya mabait ang mga opisyal,” Dela Rosa said.

[I’m wondering why are there so many battered wives. You know in the military, most of the officers are battered husbands. We are subservient to our wives. When we get home, we are told to do laundry, iron clothes, take care of our children.]

He also refuted the “generalization” that most of the military men are involved in extra-marital affairs.

“There is always an exemption to that generalization. Ako mismo, hindi ako ganon na tao. Under the saya ako. Mahal na mahal ko ang asawa ko at mga anak ko. Ayaw kong magkakasala,” Dela Rosa said.

[There is always and exemption to that generalization. I am not like that. I am subservient. I love my wife and my children. I don’t want to commit sin.]

“Pero lalaki ha. ‘Wag kayo magkumpiyansa na lalandiin ako dahil lalaki pa rin ako [But don’t flirt with me because I’m still a man.],” he said in jest.

Personal matters

In the case of Sevilla, Dela Rosa said the AFP could not interfere with personal matters such as this.

“Thats a personal matter kasi. Kung they are saying kami sa CA dapat hindi makialam d’yan sa personal niya na buhay, ganon din ang stand ng leadership ng Armed Forces. Personal naman niya yan na problema,” he said.

[That’s a personal matter. If they are saying that we in the CA cannot interfere on their personal lives, the same is with the Armed Forces. That’s a personal problem.]

“All they can do is give him guidance, advice, counseling yun lang pero kung sabihin mo ‘wag ka mambabae, ‘wag mo iwan ito, ‘wag kang pumunta sa ibang babae, ganon, hindi ma-address yon,” he added.

[All they can do is give him guidance, advice, counseling. But if you say, don’t do this, don’t do that, don’t go with another woman, that problem will not be addressed.]

Bypassed

On Tuesday, the CA committee on national defense, where Dela Rosa sits as member, bypassed the ad interim appointment of Sevilla after the military official failed to honor the agreement with the panel to provide sufficient financial support for his two children.

Sevilla’s promotion was blocked by his wife, who claimed that the military officer should not be promoted due to alleged adultery, alleged abuse against them, and for refusing to give support for their children despite a court order.

According to her, the AFP officer only gave their family P2,000 for the needs of their two children, the youngest of whom has special needs.

She also disclosed several incidents where the Sevilla allegedly pushed, slapped, and hit her during their marriage and while she was pregnant. A petition for annulment is currently pending at the court.

She appeared at the Senate again on Wednesday to continue blocking her husband’s promotion.

Mrs. Sevilla was joined by another wife of a military officer, who also shared that she was a battered wife of a retired general, whose promotions were approved since 2007 despite her complaints to the AFP and the Commission on Appointments.

The second wife to come out narrated that she suffered three miscarriages due to abuse and even their son experienced violence in the hands of her husband.

“Just to make awareness that this is really happening and sana ‘yung AFP, maraming nasisirang buhay, maraming nasisirang pamilya. Sana pagtuunan na ng pansin because the basic unit society is the family and the unsung heroes of the soldier is really the wife,” she said, adding that her husband is a classmate of Dela Rosa.

AFP spokesperson Col. Margareth Padilla Taborlupa earlier said they will check the issues divulged.

“Rest assured po, ngayon po kasi [right now] there is a standing guidance from the chief of staff. We will be checking on these issues,” Taborlupa said.

“The AFP is maturing na in terms of gender and development. Noong mga previous may mga ganyang [previously, there have been] cases but now we really take it seriously, especially po marami na ring pong women that are commanding certain units,” Taborlupa said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News