Press statement of Sen. M. A. Madrigal
chairman of Senate Committee on Peace

The appointment of former AFP Chief of Staff Esperon, a self confessed and unrepentant "hawk" as the new presidential adviser on the peace process smacks of unparalleled hypocrisy on the part of Mrs. Arroyo and makes a mockery of all attempts to forge genuine peace in the country. All serious attempts for peace have been undermined by this dastardly appointment. This is sheer political accommodation. During Esperon's watch extrajudicial killings became state policy. This will be recorded as a political absurdity in our history books. Somewhat like putting a Hitler or a Stalin at the head of a peace process! Like putting a wolf in a hen house! "Only in the Philippines!"