President Duterte said his bloody war on illegal drugs would be put on hold. This is because of a cleansing process to weed out rogue cops. Because of this, we had the impression that at long last, there would be a lull in the killings that have become the new normal for Filipinos.
We were mistaken. The bloody war on illegal drugs will continue but under the auspices of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency or PDEA.
Having the police undertake the war on illegal drugs was bad enough. We have many scalawags in uniform who victimize the very people they are supposed to protect.
And now the President has ordered the Armed Forces to arrest and even neutralize rogue cops.
In having two institutions—the military and the police—at odds with each other, we can expect even more killings.
For one thing, why involve the AFP in the drug war, Mr. President? Its mandate is to protect the country from external invasion and terrorism.
Does this tell us that the police has become useless?
What is clearly dangerous is that soon enough, we may have the military and police fighting each other. The proposed solution to end the drug menace is worse than the problem!
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In a breakfast forum for members of media, with both former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and former Senator Kit Tatad as guests, the issue of the Mamasapano (Maguindanao) massacre came to fore.
Forty-four members of the PNP (Special Action Force) were killed when they were sent to serve warrants of arrest on Marwan, a Malaysian terrorist, and another Filipino terrorist.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, an appointee of BS Aquino, indicted only former PNP Chief Alan Purisima, who was suspended at that time, and SAF Chief Getulio Napeñas, and only for graft.
So why charge the subordinates of then-President BS Aquino when it was Aquino who should have the ultimate responsibility for the massacre? He was the one who ordered it. Santa Banana, can the water rise above its source?
Enrile also said BS Aquino could be charged with treason for the massacre. Clearly the former President sending the SAF force, without coordination with the AFP which was not too far way, is a treasonous act.
BS Aquino blamed Napenas for not coordinating with the military, which Napenas denied. But, Santa Banana, BS Aquino as President and Chief Executive is both top cop and Commander-in-Chief. Why didn’t BS Aquino do that coordination himself?
I’m glad Enrile raised these points. The commission that President Duterte wants to create will give us the answers.
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I can only sympathize with Manila Overseas Press Club president Babe Romualdez, who has declined President Duterte’s offer for him to become an ambassador to the United States because of health problems.
Romualdez has a delicate eye ailment. He could go blind if this is not addressed. And being an ambassador in Washington is a stressful job. Babe’s doctors told him that flying would endanger his ailment because of air pressure—he is supposed to rest for at least six months.
With the ambassadorship to Washington now open, there are speculations that property developer Joey Antonio, who has been appointed special envoy to the US, may be inclined to take the Washington job.
But Antonio is associated with US President Donald Trump. Note that one of the luxury buildings put by Antonio is called “Trump Towers.” They have business connections.
Another speculation is that come July 2017, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano who lost his vice presidential bid may be tapped to replace Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay.
There are talks that Yasay is also interested in the Washington post.
We see Cayetano clinging to the President like a leech just to ensure his appointment to the DFA. Actually, Cayetano is no longer acting as a senator. He is frequently absent from sessions, and always with the President, in and outside Malacañang.
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The government and the members of the National Democratic Front, the political arm of the communist movement, ended their Rome panel discussions without any substantial agreement.
I have always been wary about any peace discussions of government with the NDF. The latter asserts what it wants at all costs, like the release of its prisoners. Thus, no bilateral ceasefire was made.
In the wake of all these peace movements by both government and the NDF, the New People’s Army, went on a rampage against government forces in Mindanao, even harassing government troops on a relief missions for flood victims.
As I have said, while the NDF talks peace with government, the NPA continues it attacks against government troops, a clear indication that the communist movement in the Philippines is no longer monolithic. There are even talks that Joma Sison no longer has full control of the movement, and that there are NPA commanders who have cut ties from him.
If that’s the case, the Duterte government should reassess its position.
As in many instances in the past, the communists always come to the negotiating table with blood on their hands. In peace negotiations, it’s a simple matter of give and take. But, in the case of communists, it’s clearly take and take.
The bottom line is sincerity.