Wednesday, June 13, 2007 Editorials: Case of Antonio Trillanes IV
THERE are many revelations in the case of Antonio Trillanes IV, who is just a breath away from being proclaimed senator.
A 1995 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, he was identified as one of the core leaders of the “Oakwood mutiny” and has been incarcerated since then.
The mutiny, which was named after the hotel that the mutineers used as their base of operation, has long been “quelled.”
While some mutineers were given amnesty, others have been detained.
One of them is Trillanes.
The problems the mutineers raised, though, have remained like a gnawing sore.
And it may have remained a continuing rationale for military dissatisfaction.
Public sympathy
Meanwhile, if Trillianes becomes a senator, the military and the Arroyo administration will be presented with a unique dilemma.
The case will have brought to the limelight the people’s conflicting opinion on the cause of the mutineers, whose complaints against the Arroyo administration have not been lucidly resolved and accounted for.
Thus, the result of the last political exercise can very well be taken as having resolved one question about the mutiny: How sympathetic were the public to the mutineers’ cause?
Silent supporters
While only few people openly expressed sympathy for the mutineers, it was also clear that the public did not give a definite stand favoring the Arroyo government.
It was as if the people had taken a wait and see attitude.
Indeed, while the conflict raged on, no opinion poll measured the sympathy pulse.
But the case of Trillanes, who is now only a step away from the Senate’s session hall, may have shown that more people than earlier thought had silently sympathized with the mutineers.
Burden on leaders
That many Filipino voters cast their votes for Trillanes could be proof of this.
And this should pose a heavier burden on the military than on President Arroyo.
With criticisms on the manner top military officials managed and handled the organization’s rank-and-file, there is much they have to do to enhance patriotism and strengthen the loyalty of soldiers down to the lowest rank.
Trillianes garnering a ground support from the masses can be a credit to his cause.
