Noriega supporter gets back pay while opponents get zero

An announcement by Security Minister  Jose Raul Mulino that the chief of police who stood by former dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega to the end, would be getting 21 years back pay, has started a rush of claimants.

A group of soldiers of the Defence Forces, detained and discharged after a failed  coup on March 16, 1988  to topple Noriega, reported yesterday that they have never been paid their wages, even though the Second Court exonerated them from all liability. The failed attempt led to the massacre of some of their companions for which Noriega still faces trial.

The statements came three days after Mulino, confirm the refund as a lieutenant in the Armed Forces of National Police director, Gustavo Perez, and the payment of wages in 21 years, amounting to some $123,000/

Perez and David Ocálagan were removed from the Defence Forces in 1990, accused of masterminding the kidnapping of civilians during the invasion.

Guillermo Marquez, attorney for the 31 soldiers, recalled that these were dismissed by a decision of the Disciplinary Board of the dictatorship  Defence Forces on March 20, 1988.

On  April 25, 1991 the Second Court upheld a dismissal with prejudice in its favor, and 27 September of that year, the Court confirmed the resolution.

None of the men who rebelled against a dictator has received wages, and Marquez suggested that before paying Perez who when accused was working for Noriega during the invasion, the State must pay this group.

He said that although there was a legal request that they make the payments, they have not been effective.

"The payment to Perez, who was with Noriega until the last day, and to write-off those. who wanted to depose the dictator, doesn’t make make sense" he said.

Milton Castillo, one of the soldiers, explained that efforts have been made with all governments to collect, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, ex- comptroller Alvin Weeden said that if  Mulino orders the payment orders to Perez it will be  embezzlement.

He said  in the case of Perez  he won the claim to get back pay because no appeal  was  filed when he was cleared.

On Tuesday, for the second consecutive day, Weeden on  asked Mulino for details of the procedure followed in the case of Perez, but got no response.