Who Revoked the AFP COS's Decision on Gen Miranda?

Senator Rodolfo G Biazon questioned why despite approval from the AFP Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano allowing Major General Renato Miranda to be present during the surgery of his wife, Delia for cancer up to the required recuperating period. General Miranda was allowed to be with his wife only three days after the surgery and only four hours to be with her and brought back to confinement.

On the basis of a letter dated May 15, 2008 to the AFP Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano through his lawyer Atty Rolando Cipriano, Major General Renato Miranda requested that he be allowed to be beside his wife during her breast cancer surgery and up to the required recuperating period.

The request was approved by the AFP Chief of Staff based on the recommendation from the Judge Advocate General's Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines (JAGO, AFP) and the President of the General Court Martial trying the case of General Miranda for violation of Art 67 on Mutiny and Sedition and Art 96 on Conduct Unbecoming An Officer and A Gentleman of the Articles of War. To implement General Miranda's request, General Yano caused a transfer of custody of General Miranda from the Intelligence Service to the Headquarters, Philippine Navy.

However, this decision of the AFP Chief of Staff to allow General Miranda to attend to the needs of his wife while undergoing a cancer operation and for a "period of recuperation" was suddenly revoked. "Who revoked the decision of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff?" the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security would like to find out.

"General Miranda accompanied by his security detail was with his family for only four hours, then brought back immediately for confinement."

"General Miranda was supposed to be under guard and under the direct control of the custodian. Why was this humanitarian request not carried out in spite of the fact that General Miranda is still presumed innocent," Biazon concluded.