I couldn't help but be moved by this man's awe-inspiring sense of integrity as he evealed the damning truth about the abuses committed by his fellow American soldiers at Abu Ghraib. Sir, you make me feel honored to be an Igorot.
The eminent journalist Seymour Hersh has just published a story in the New Yorker on the man who told the truth about Abu Ghraib.
The US government investigation of the Abu Ghraib prison atrocities in 2004 was led by General Antonio Taguba, the highest-ranking US military officer of Filipino descent. He was born and raised in the Philippines before migrating to the US, and is the son of an Igorot Philippine Scout who survived the Bataan Death March.
General Taguba's report on the Abu Ghraib atrocities is lucid, damning and fearless, and shows a trail of responsibility leading to the top levels of the most powerful government in the world.
Only a military man of the greatest integrity could have had the courage to file a report so unflinching in its analysis, and so damning of his superiors and of the military system around which his whole career--his life--was built.
I remember watching on C-SPAN as General Taguba entered a crowded meeting room to testify before the US Senate Armed Forces Committee regarding his findings. It took him a while to make his way to his chair, because so many wanted to shake his hand--the hand of a man who was not afraid to tell the truth.
A Filipino friend who lives in Washington, DC, rode a taxi to the hearing. When the taxi driver learned that she was a Filipino, and where she was headed, he refused payment for the ride.
"The world needs more people like General Taguba," he said.
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>From the article in the New Yorker:
"From the moment a soldier enlists, we inculcate loyalty, duty, honor, integrity, and selfless service," Taguba said. "And yet when we get to the senior-officer level we forget those values. I know that my peers in the Army will be mad at me for speaking out, but the fact is that we violated the laws of land warfare in Abu Ghraib. We violated the tenets of the Geneva Convention. We violated our own principles and we violated the core of our military values. The stress of combat is not an excuse, and I believe, even today, that those civilian and military leaders responsible should be held accountable."
Read "The General's Report: How Antonio Taguba, who investigated the Abu Ghraib scandal, became one of its casualties by Seymour M. Hersh, New Yorker, 25 June 2007 here.
6 comments:
General Taguba was indeed a "man of honor" many times over. It's so incomprehensible to gauge the littany of negative attacks he endured from the same department who appointed him to investigate Abu Ghraib in the first place. He's honorably retired now and Tin Soldier Rumsfeldt was forced to resign. Wish they'll meet one of these days wherein General Taguba would just say "wazzuup Rummy!!"
Miss Bugan, please clarity one thing, think General Taguba is of Ilocano descent not Igorot, or maybe he's half. Thanks and goodhealth.
Hi Trublue,
Thanks for pointing out the error. I posted the forwarded message without checking the facts first:-(
You're right. General Taguba's father, Tomas Taguba, is from Isabela. He's not an Igorot at all as the message from my friend claimed. Kindly check the site in my post script about Gen. Antonio Taguba.
Cheers to you!
I enjoyed reading that article. He is a great man and the U.S. government is doing him a disservice with how they have treated him. What a shame.
Hi Bill,
I agree with you. It seems the US government conducted the investigation only for appearances. They weren't really serious in punishing anyone involved in the abuses. Mala-GMA ba. Puro investigation, wala namang nangyayari.
Thanks for dropping by:-)
I served on General Taguba's staff at 2d Bde 2d Armored which reflagged as 2d Bde 4th ID. I was his personnel Actions Sergeant (NCOIC). He is a great leader and a straight shooter when he speaks. Integrity to him means a lot. He has taught me a lot, not just on how to be a better leader but as a human being in life. I wish they would get Rumsfeld on violation of International Law and bring his ASS to justice. The Army lost a lot of great Generals when Rumsfeld was in charge and Tony was one of them.
Sir, "See you on the high ground"
I have known MG Taguba for 18 years. He was my first Battalion Commander long ago when we served in Korea. He is a man of upmost integrity and i would serve with him anywhere, anytime and under any circumstances. Even after this unfortunate event, he still demonstrates his professionalism and love of both of his countries; the Philippines and the US.
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