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The crop of the Armed Forces of Malta were in their Commander’s line of fire last Thursday in what they described as “an unprecedented and unbelievable” outburst against them.
Brig. Carmel Vassallo convened all the 80 or so AFM officers first thing Thursday at 7.30am and gave them a one and a half hour tirade for what he deemed to be their “disloyalty” towards the army, just minutes before meeting the Attorney General to consult him about the Depasquale inquiry report into the Safi barracks beatings of detained migrants a year ago.
The Brigadier was incensed by his officers after they boycotted a Christmas party organised by army sergeants last month, a statement he took as a direct affront in his regard.
Last Thursday, he lambasted the officers for “putting the army in a bad light” through their testimonies in the Depasquale inquiry.
He told them that comments such as that there was a “free for all” during the Safi beatings and that there was no coordination during the whole operation were very damaging to the army and only “disloyal officers” would make them publicly.
Slamming his men and denying their versions, the Commander said certain depositions exposing the incompetence, conflicting orders and total disorganisation during the beatings given to the judge should have never been uttered.
Depasquale’s report in fact quotes officers testifying that among the soldiers beating the migrants during the peaceful demonstration, there were several who had never wore riot gear before and were never trained for such situations.
An officer told MaltaToday: “It was a mud-slinging attack on all of us, totally misguided, panic-stricken and unfair. The army’s morale is underground right now.”
Contacted Friday, Brig. Vassallo said: “You seem to already know what was said, so I won’t be giving you any comments. I don’t think I need to comment.”
He confirmed that he was at the Attorney General’s office shortly after meeting the officers but also declined to divulge the reasons behind his visit.
Brig. Vassallo told the officers at the end of the meeting that his door was open to anyone who wanted to speak to him but reminded them to “follow procedure” – which means they have to put forward a request to meet him, with some officers’ requests left pending for more than eight months.
The commander also shocked his officers when he turned to attack the army doctor in front of all of them for giving sick leave to “moaning soldiers”. Being a Lieutenant Colonel, the officers felt it was totally out of place for the commander to attack the doctor, who enjoys wide respect by many soldiers and officers, in front of his subordinates.
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