The National Association of Sergeants (ANS) said this Wednesday that the 13 soldiers who refused to board the Mondego deserve “universal support and solidarity” and that political and military leaders must be held accountable.
“The 13 soldiers (four sergeants and nine enlisted men) from the Portuguese Republican Ship (NRP) Mondego, who were trained on March 11, 2023 at the fishing pier in Funchal, deserve everyone’s attention, support and solidarity,” the statement said. sent to print.
The sergeants emphasize that at stake are “experienced people, highly specialized technicians who know their duties” and are committed to the Constitution, who “knew and know better than anyone what happened and is happening on their ship.”
The association points out that these soldiers, for the most part, were awarded for the services they rendered to the fleet and country, and that among them, eight, “as members of the NRP Mondego garrison, have recently received praise from the commander of the navy. “.
According to the sergeants, these sailors carried out their duties of guardianship, “realizing the importance and necessity of their act”, having the courage “to loyally inform their command that the ship was not ready to leave the pier for the mission.” mission”.
“And they did it in a disciplined way, leaving the ship and training on the pier, thereby confirming their full readiness for service, but not in those technical conditions.), working for decades, let the material and conditions of the Servicemen and women arrive, always demanding and at any cost to complete the mission ”, the association accuses.
Responsibility for the ANS must be demanded from the main political and military leaders.
“And no, they were not hooligans provoked by some Machiavellian colossus, as was noticed by a number of“ commentators ”who know nothing about the armed forces, and even more so about the navy,” the association criticizes.
For the sergeants, “those who trained on the wharf were 13 brave, loyal and disciplined sailors, to whom all loyal comrades, loyal soldiers and true Portuguese should be sincerely grateful.”
On Wednesday, the Parliamentary Defense Committee unanimously approved a hearing between Minister Helena Carreiras and the Navy Chief of Staff following the controversy surrounding the Mondego.
On March 11, NRP Mondego was unable to escort a Russian ship north of Porto Santo Island in the Madeira archipelago after 13 soldiers refused to board, citing security concerns.
On Monday, the prosecutor’s office suspended the interrogation of these soldiers at the decision of the prosecutor for a more detailed analysis of the process, the defense said.
Said military was to be heard by the Military Judicial Police (PJM) in Lisbon as part of a criminal investigation following the participation of the navy.
The branch also initiated disciplinary proceedings.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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