The AFP must go Estrada DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 02/12/2010

The AFP must go Estrada DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 02/12/2010 The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) 113,500 men and women — and their families — must know the track record of each presidential candidate on issues affecting the Republic if they are to wisely cast their lot on a leader who will affect their lives, as well as, the future of their children. Only Estrada can so far lay claim to an indisputable record of: 1) defending the nation’s territorial integrity; 2) fighting separatist insurgency; 3) supporting the troops morally and materially; and 4) committing to full-scale AFP modernization. As one of the many hallmarks of his administration, it was only Erap who successfully raised the Philippine flag over Camp Abubakkar. Soldiers also fondly remember the “one cavan” rice allowance they got during Estrada’s tenure (which was promptly withdrawn by Gloria Arroyo), together with his unprecedented budgetary support for all AFP operations, including personal donations of lab facilities, such as MRI machines, through his Kawal Foundation to the V. Luna Medical Center. In contrast, the Yellow candidate has not much of a record to speak of, save for the hollow praises from his “civil society” and Big Business backers. One only needs to examine his mother’s so-called “legacy,” which he and his supporters claim to adhere to, to figure out the policy direction of another hoped-for Yellow administration. Cory Aquino, after Edsa I, released Satur Ocampo and restored Nur Misuari, causing the country much destabilization. Military leaders who then protested the domination of leftist appointees in government were systematically persecuted, thereby betraying a Yellow anti-AFP bias that persists to this day. Then, despite the many sacrifices of our soldiers, the termination of the AFP’s self-reliance programs escalated well into the next Yellow regime of Fidel Ramos, where the MILF was even bestowed with DPWH budgets to build its bases and the AFP modernization fund was diverted toward currency manipulation during the 1997 financial crisis. Therefore, under Cory’s son, who, as early as now, is already being lorded over by the same “civil society” forces, this anti-AFP bias will most likely continue. Meanwhile, another candidate, dubbed “VILLARroyo,” also has no record of having done anything for the AFP other than adopting PMA Class 1977. Aside from a few perfunctory speeches in the Senate to augment the AFP’s budget, this really hasn’t amounted to much as it only encourages divisiveness through partisan politicization and the engendering of a culture of “palakasan.” VILLARroyo is an individual whose courage had already been found wanting. Can he then be trusted by the AFP to face the insurgents, such as those backed by powerful foreign powers running amok in Mindanao? Why, in a presidential survey conducted among the MILF by www.luwaran.com in December 2008, bandied about by this candidate’s camp to the press, he unsurprisingly topped all the other candidates. Isn’t this a clear sign of his pandering to the MILF and his ready sell-out on the BangsaMoro Juridical Entity? The AFP must therefore reflect on who among the candidates to be commander-in-chief they will swear to obey, sacrifice and even die for. Who can they trust to carry out faithfully the mission of protecting the sovereignty, territory, and government of this nation while at the same time safeguarding the welfare of the people, including their families? The AFP community must, as far as possible, act as one in these elections to make its collective experience, insight, and wisdom, gained from decades of struggle and sacrifice, count. To renege on this would be to abscond from arresting the continuing divisiveness within the institution, caused by corrupt political leaders who have used it for partisan and personal ends, and reversing its multi-faceted deterioration caused by the anti-military elements in society. A news item this week should help our AFP men and women understand one of the focal points in this election, as it is important for all sectors of Philippine society. The business pages of the dailies reported: “Business never had it so good — Palace.” Albay Gov. and Arroyo financial and economic adviser Joey Salceda said at a business briefing for the Makati Business Club, the Management Association of the Philippines, the Financial Executives of the Philippines, and the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce that in the decade under Arroyo, “the top 1,000 corporations earned a combined profit of P3.1 trillion… (where only) P1.1-trillion was reinvested while P2 trillion was declared as dividends.” (This does not even count the profits that Big Business does not report). This is one major reason why the AFP and the people are getting poorer year after year — which is why only a genuine pro-people president can turn this situation around. The two other candidates are both being cheered on by the elite while only President Estrada is avowedly for the people and the masses. The Yellow dummy and VILLARroyo promise “change,” but does that say anything about change for what and for whom? By the grin on their faces for these two bets, the elite businessmen are more likely imagining more untold trillions of profits for them should either become president. For the greater majority, change could be for the worse if the same pro-elite, pro-Big Business profit-seeking policies hold sway. Only Erap is clearly pro-people and pro-poor, primed to lead a poor country that has an impoverished Armed Forces out of the doldrums. His promise, summarized in his battle cry, says it all: “Kung may Erap, may ginhawa” (If there’s Erap, there’s a better life in store). It’s time for the people to enjoy the comforts of a better life, a good life. It’s time for the AFP to be restored to its former glory! (Tune in to 1098AM, Sulo ng Pilipino, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Global News Network, Destiny Cable Channel 21, Talk News TV, Tuesday, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on our “Chinese New Year Special: Nottingham University in China”; also visit http://hermantiulaurel.blogspot.com) __________ (Reprinted with permission from Mr. Herman Tiu Laurel) Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.classicposters.com/commentary20100212com6.html

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