MANILA, Philippines – The children of former AFP Chief of Staff Angelo Reyes expressed disappointment over published accounts regarding their father’s reputation following the general’s death last Tuesday.

In a statement, his children, Bogie, Jett, Marc, Carlo, and Judd Reyes, questioned the accounts being released in newspapers, television, radio and public gatherings.

“Some of these accounts have been grossly inaccurate, terribly unfair, and downright vicious. We suppose that’s part of the price a public servant has to pay. But it pains us greatly that a good and kind-hearted man like our Papa can be maligned so casually,” they said.

Reyes’ children cited their father’s achievements as “a dedicated soldier for 39 years” and a family man through all those years.

They said that in spite of his achievements, Reyes maintained a low profile among his constituents.

“He demands the best from his subordinates, striving for excellence in any endeavor, but finds contentment in eating corned beef, monggo, and sardines…can easily strike up a sincere conversation even with the lowest ranking soldier, policeman, or barangay tanod,” they said.

They also noted his bravery in the face of crisis. “He was instrumental in Edsa 2 where he had to withdraw support from President Estrada for the higher interest of the nation, but was man enough to go to Malacanang and face the beleaguered president to perform his duty,” they said.

They said their father has “never spoken ill of anyone in public – not even those who have openly or secretly attacked him.”

“He is and will forever be, our idol – and no amount of ridiculous rumors, intrigues, and accusations from the ignorant, the envious, and those who have nothing better to do than to cowardly criticize him, will ever change that,” they said.

Case Closed

The death by suicide of Reyes is deemed a “closed case” after investigations indicated there was no foul play involved, according to National Capital Region Police chief Nicanor Bartolome.

Bartolome also said that the police will also respect the wish of the Reyes family for privacy and not to conduct an autopsy or paraffin test on the remains of the former secretary.

He said investigators concluded that Reyes’s death was self-inflicted based witness accounts and evidence taken from scene.

However, the NCRPO said that they may still ask the family to turn over the handgun used by Reyes in committing suicide once the situation calms down.

Bartolome said the police believe that the firearm used by Reyes in committing suicide was with his family because they were only one present in the scene.

He said they may request the family to turn over the gun its license is with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Firearms and Explosives Division (FED).

He said that the FED must take custody of the firearm because it is licensed to the former defense chief and he is already dead.

Meanwhile, Chief Supt. Francisco Manalo, Jr., director of the Eastern Police District, said continuing the investigation is pointless since the Reyes family has already waived the conduct of the autopsy.

“What are we going to establish when all points to self-inflicted gunshot wound as the cause of his death? Besides, we are not zeroing in on anyone as a suspect because the witnesses and some pieces of evidence somehow established that his wound in the chest was indeed self-inflicted,” said Manalo in a phone interview.(With reports from Jean Fernando, Aaron Recuenco, Leslie Ann Aquino, and Hannah L. Torregoza)