Medardo Geslani

Medardo Pareja Geslani is a Filipino brigadier general who is best known for his role in the Maguindanao massacre .

Geslani graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City by 1982 and was named one of the ten most outstanding Philippine soldiers in 1998, along with numerous other honors. Before the Maguindanao massacre he was in command of the 601st Infantry Brigade , 6th Infantry Division, which operated in central Mindanao . He was removed from this post after the massacre on charges of breach of duty. Army agencies stated that they wanted to promote the transparency of the investigation into the incident.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines criticized Geslani's promotion to brigadier general because he refused to provide escort for journalists and Esmael Mangudadatu's relatives who wanted to bring the election papers for Mangudadatu, then Vice Mayor of Buluan , to Maguindanao . Medardo Geslani, who was a colonel at the time of the Maguindanao massacre , is held responsible for the massacre due to his refusal to apply for protection. However, after he was acquitted of all responsibility by a military commission of inquiry, the Philippine Commission on Appointments was able to confirm his promotion with 7 votes in favor, one abstention and one against, which is why he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on June 23, 2014. Relatives of the victims in particular criticized his promotion. In August 2014 he took the oath of office.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Germelina Lacorte: NUJP slams promotion of Army colonel. inquirer.net, June 24, 2014, accessed on September 12, 2014 . 
2. ↑ Promotion of 89 military officers get CA nod. (No longer available online.) The Manila Times, October 23, 2014, archived from the original March 4, 2016 ; accessed on September 7, 2015 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
3. ↑ Frances Mangosing: CA confirms promotion of Army general blamed for Maguindanao massacre, 88 others. inquirer.net, October 23, 2014, accessed October 26, 2014 (English). 
4. ↑ 2 Army Officials relieved for Maguindanao mess. Global Media Arts (GMA), Inc. , November 27, 2009, accessed September 7, 2015 . 
5. ↑ Alexis Romero: Army officer blamed for Ampatuan massacre promoted. philstar.com, June 24, 2014, accessed September 12, 2014 . 
6. ↑ Jaime Sinapit: Ombudsman cleared Army officer in Ampatuan slays for promotion but, NUJP upset. (No longer available online.) Interaksyon.com, June 24, 2014, archived from the original on August 26, 2014 ; accessed on September 12, 2014 (English). Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
7. ^ Macon Ramos-Araneta: Commission confirms 87 officials. (No longer available online.) Manila Standard Today, October 23, 2014, archived from the original on October 26, 2014 ; accessed on October 26, 2014 (English). Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
8. ^ Bong Lozada: Army defends promotion of controversial general. Inquirer.net, June 24, 2014, accessed September 9, 2014 . 
9. ↑ Frances Mangosing: CA confirms promotion of Army general blamed for Maguindanao massacre, 88 others. inquirer.net, October 23, 2014, accessed October 26, 2014 (English). 
10. ↑ Jaime Sinapit: Catapang takes oath; officer relieved over Maguindanao massacre now a general. (No longer available online.) InterAksyon.com, Aug 11, 2014, archived from the original on Sept. 7, 2014 ; accessed on September 9, 2014 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.