STATEMENT OF THE REYES CHILDREN
			Angie: The real thing
MANILA, Philippines—For the past few years, many different people  have spoken and written about our father, Angelo T. Reyes, in  newspapers, television, radio and public gatherings. Unfortunately, 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.
 Allow us to set the record straight on the real Angie Reyes:
 He was a dedicated soldier for 39 years, putting God and Country  above self, but not once did he forget to call his wife and children  every single day--whenever and wherever he was assigned in the country  or the world.
 He was known to demand the best from his subordinates, striving for  excellence in any endeavor, but would find contentment in eating corned  beef, monggo and sardines.
 He was an outstanding alumnus of Harvard University and the Asian  Institute of Management but could easily strike up a sincere  conversation even with the lowest ranking soldier, policeman, or  barangay tanod.
 He was the nemesis of kidnappers, drug dealers, smugglers, and  terrorists but was helpless as his granddaughter put lipstick on him.
 He was a four-star general, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of  the Philippines, the conqueror of Camp Abubakr, but not once had he  thought twice about kissing and embracing his wife and sons in public.
 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 Malacañang and face the beleaguered president to perform  his final duty.
 He was a political appointee but never participated in unproductive  political bickering. He had never spoken ill of anyone in public--not  even those who openly or secretly attacked him.
 He was one of the busiest and hardest-working Cabinet members but  always found time to visit his 95-year-old mother almost everyday and  would take her out to dinner on weekends when she was still alive.
 To us, his children, he was 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.