Victory has begun

DIE HARD III
Herman Tiu Laurel
3/1/2006



In the wake of the Fr. Boni excitement we hope no one forgets that this is a war of liberation not just from Gloria but from a system of oppression and exploitation aimed at destroying our people and out nation. It’s not just Gloria who is corrupt but a host of other people around, but principally the global corporate mafia backing Gloria and raking it in from her policies of merciless taxation and support for unmitigated corporate profiteering. Everybody should keep this in mind that the extensive plunder by privatized power, water, fuel industries and the taxation of our people continues to rise unabated.

The American interest in the events is muted because of the schism in U.S. attitude towards what going on here. Corporatocratic America led by the likes of disgraced AIG chief “Hank” Greenberg, Marce Fuller of Mirant power reincarnated at Wall Street thanks to PPA transfusions sucked from Filipinos, rightwing former ambassadors Bosworth and Wisner, among others in Gloria’s Board of Economic Advisers gorge on the rich feast of Filipino flesh Gloria offers them. CNN’s muted reports on Gloria’s abuse of the law reveal their tolerance of her illegal stay in power.

Americans who have U.S. strategic interests at heart rather than corporate greed have assisted Filipino opposition elements as in the leaks exposing Gloria’s corruption. Even in America it is a struggle between those who have national interests at heart versus the corporatocratic interests. America will lose the Philippines if corporatocratic and Gloria’s greed alienate the people and the soldiers form the U.S., a seemingly inevitable conclusion as in South America today where Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and others have declared renewed popular independence towards genuine economic progress.

AFP leaders argue that they “no longer want to be used by politicians as in Edsa I and Edsa II”, they forget that they are already being used; and worse by politicians and corporatocratic interests now looting the nation. Nobody in society is “not used”; even when one claims not to have any “politics” or position on the fundamental issues of the land. Declaring oneself neutral results in being used by one or another interest. I made the point at a press con with AFP spokesman Col. Kison when I said the AFP should be “non-partisan” but it cannot be “politically unaware” like German Shepherds.

The truth is, we have spoken to many parties who are wondering why General Senga, who aside from his military credentials also carries a public administration degree among others, have not taken a more active role in stabilizing the situation where Gloria obviously has become the cause of national schism and instability. Colonel Ariel Q. Querubin, an awardee of the highest AFP Medal of Valor, could be amongst the world’s military men turned historic nationalist leaders like Col. Hugo Chavez of Venezuela or Col. Moammar Ghaddafy who’s now a darling of the West too.

General Senga was right to postpone the finishing touches to keep the AFP intact as an institution, we will need a strong AFP in transforming this country; but it must be an enlightened AFP steeped in the understanding of history and noble political theory. They must keep in mind the question: Why has the Philippine deteriorated in the past fifty years while the rest of Asia has zoomed ahead? What positive role has the AFP done to prevent this deterioration? Why is the AFP fighting internal enemies instead of external enemies? Why are the corrupt police forces confronting the AFP elite units?

If the AFP complains that they are used by politicians, what do they think conscientious civilians like this quarter feel? Yes, we civilians are used but we are conscious about who uses us and for what, and the shades of gray in between that is unavoidable. But ultimately, we who have a nationalist advocacy know what we are being used for and for whom – in my case and people like Alehandro “Ding” Lichauco, for the cause of the sovereign will of the people and the national welfare. There are advocacies amongst civilians contrary to this, we fight or ally as the goals require.

Last Sunday we willingly heeded the call of Col. Querubin of the Marines to gather as many people to shield the forces of the dissenting Marines and the robot PNP of Gloria form each other. My right eye was injured in the melee with police riot squads trying to dislodge us from Gate 8 of the Marine HQ, for which I had an eye patch for two days. We hung on for eight hours until Marine officers Allaga, Miranda and Querubin agreed to resolve it amicably within their brotherhood. That’s okay with me, but many civilians also felt “used”.

Our comrades among the young officers of the Magdiwang felt shamed by the turn of events after calling for our help to support the Marines, but I told them through text that we responded to Col. Querubin’s call unconditionally and we should not expect any results other than what the colonel believes is the best under the circumstances. I told them that the struggle goes on, and that we were never promised a picnic and don’t expect one. Service to a noble cause that elevates one above the level of mortality is enough reward – isn’t that the spirit of soldiery.

Our victory has begun.

(My radio programs are momentarily in flux because management has been threatened with closure if they allow me free rein…)