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Thursday, October 28, 2004
Editorial: Growing public criticism
UNLESS something a whole lot bigger happens the country will continue to talk about this Gen. Carlos Garcia case for the duration of the week especially now that another general had been tied to the burgeoning list of the "Gang of 12" that had in turn been linked to widespread graft in the AFP.
The fiery Sen. Miriam Santiago took to the Senate floor to claim that this "Gang of 12" had grabbed nearly P2 billion a year in funding from the AFP which had resulted in inferior equipment, paltry allowances and ever low morale among the country's fighting men and women.
There is a reason for this since Santiago's brother happens to be Maj. Gen. Narciso Santiago who if we remember right also happened to be a former AFP chief of staff.
Her tirades didn't escape the notice of the current top AFP officials who said her denunciation smacked of "treason" a charge that wasn't in turn taken lightly by Santiago.
Amid the growing turmoil within the military, the national government and the public are concerned that this ongoing House investigation would plant the seeds for yet another coup d' etat.
And these fears are being fueled by Sen. Rodolfo Biazon's admission that there are sectors who told him that the seeds for another military uprising are being planted.
This even as the country had just recovered from the physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially draining experience that is the 2004 national elections.
That's why we understand President Arroyo's appeal for politicians to tone down on their rhetoric in the Garcia case lest this further fuel the already tense situation within the military ranks.
It had to be pointed out that there is a standing order from President Arroyo to hold a court martial on Garcia as well as other generals that may be implicated during the military investigation.
Also, there is that warning by AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero that the crisis is being exploited by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) as evidenced by the rising tide of rebel offensives in the countryside.
Hence Wednesday's declaration of a red alert by the military.
Clearly the military is desperately holding on to their battle-weary fort from attacks launched at all sides not only from the communist rebels but from government officials whose own ranks aren't exactly that lily-white clean either.
Which means the court martial should proceed posthaste if only to stem the growing tide of public criticism.
(October 28, 2004 issue)
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