Broadening Horizons
Way back in April 3, 2006, The Correspondents featured the military way of life... from the prestige to its perils. They say that when PMA cadets are asked why they chose to become soldiers, there would only be one common answer that is, to serve their fellowmen. But today, others get the impression that PMA is the breeding ground of military adventurists. While the institution builds idealism among its cadets, the problem lies in the disparity between ideal and real. In the battlefield, serving the people takes on a different meaning. Here, the new officers are faced with the drudgeries and corruption, which are inevitable in a system where the rigidity of seniority, hierarchy, and camaraderie is pervasive.
With all the harsh realities that the program has shown, it strongly affected me... my feelings towards this country and my perception of military men who risk experiencing battle fatigue. Indeed, the scenes got the message across: Judging PMA on the basis of a few members' behaviors would invariably lead us to hasty generalizations.
Sa unang pagtapak mo sa Fort del Pilar, sagot na ng gobyerno ang lahat ng iyong pangangailangan at wala nang alalahanin sa gastusin ng kolehiyo. 70% daw ng mga kadete ay mula sa mahihirap na pamilya. Pero katumbas o higit pa sa ibibigay ng gobyerno, ay ang mabigat na kapalit: ang kalayaan sa pagpapahayag ng sariling opinyon, ang pagkakalayo sa mga mahal sa buhay, at pagharap sa panganib ng kaguluhan habang nasa serbisyo. At ano nga ba ang naghihintay sa labas ng PMA? Tayo ay kabilang sa Third World at kaakibat nito ay ang pangangailangang pagkasyahin kung anuman ang resources na mayroon. Mamimiss mo nga raw ang barracks sa PMA oras na naglingkod ka na sa "totoong mundo."
Sa pulitika, dapat lang daw na hindi makialam. Hindi naman kasi talaga iyon ang agenda ninyo. Kailangang nakapokus lang sa tungkuling pangalagaan ang seguridad ng bansa at kapayapaan para sa mga sibilyan.
Danger of A Politicized Military
Military men, assuming other roles, tend to use illegitimate means to advance their cause. In the Oakwood Mutiny though, there were legitimate grievances: AFP modernization, benefits of soldiers encompassing housing problems, medical services, Retirement and Separation Benefits System (RSBS) and compensation for those who were killed in battle, and issues on procurement involving the practice of conversion that leads to lack of supplies. The incident called for the reinforcement of the law against rebellion, staging a coup and, violated some provisions of the Articles of War. Resolving these problems entail going back to the teachings of PMA, centered on the Honor System.
The Feliciano Commission reports that "A number of former coup plotters who had been punished for their participation in the coup attempts of the 1980s and returned to the military after the 1995 grant of unconditional amnesty, have turned their back on military adventurism. Members of their units did not join the Magdalo group in Oakwood. But some of those who receive unconditional amnesty without prior punishment were in the list of members of the NRP [National Recovery Program] Council. This suggests that consistent enforcement of the law may be a critical factor in neutralizing the coup virus." This finding implies that there is a need to reverse the culture of impunity, since it encourages further violation.
Ø This also stresses command responsibility. Higher men should always maintain 100% loyalty to our national interest.
Ø Amnesty programs are effective means for reconciliation and gaining back the former rebels to the mainstream of society.
Ø Those who have turned their backs on military adventurism may be used to conduct seminars or lectures for soldiers.
Ø AFP officers who were involved in the Oakwood Mutiny in 2003 have not yet learned the lessons from past experiences of the country. There should really be a reorientation in the education of our soldiers. Also, this calls for the improvement of our educational system because military men were first citizens before entering the institution. From the start, good values especially that of love of country and democracy should have already been inculcated.
For the Magdalo soldiers, their legitimate grievances justify their mutiny. Truly, corruption exists within the institution and these men were already helpless in seeking for an authority to whom they can voice their complaints:
Ø the "overstaying" of some retired men in the quarters (privately-owned) at Fort Bonifacio, Makati
Ø the need for proper, orderly liquidation of the RSBS fund
Ø the small amount given to the beneficiaries of soldiers killed in action. Another problem is the delay when processing papers to identify dependents.
Ø Conversion. Instead of upgrading their supplies in the field or even the facilities in offices, the alloted money is being used for other purposes unknown to the soldiers.
There’s no good in letting a Machiavellian way of thinking to dominate. Even if they intend to reform the military, they themselves become threats to the nation in the long run. Aren’t they supposed to protect it, first and foremost?
The President As Commander-In-Chief
This is founded on civilian supremacy. Civilian leadership is supreme to the military because the latter is known in history for using brute force to perpetuate themselves in power. The distinct nature of the military institution causes danger as they have weapons, numbers and command structure that can be used against the state. Their role is traditionally to be "confined in the barracks" and they should not go beyond what they are allowed to do. A conflict of interest possesses great potential to affect their efficiency as an institution that is supposed to ensure our national security.
What Now?
I've thought about these things starting in a political science class that I took years ago. By sharing them with you, I'm also giving you the option to correct the misconceptions that I might be having.
Soldiers have sacrificed a lot already: Giving up the right to express their own thoughts and opinions, having to wear that uniform all the time, living the regimented life. And they're about to sacrifice a lot more. For most of these men, one thing serves as the ultimate source of inspiration:
Coming back HOME.
With all the harsh realities that the program has shown, it strongly affected me... my feelings towards this country and my perception of military men who risk experiencing battle fatigue. Indeed, the scenes got the message across: Judging PMA on the basis of a few members' behaviors would invariably lead us to hasty generalizations.
Sa unang pagtapak mo sa Fort del Pilar, sagot na ng gobyerno ang lahat ng iyong pangangailangan at wala nang alalahanin sa gastusin ng kolehiyo. 70% daw ng mga kadete ay mula sa mahihirap na pamilya. Pero katumbas o higit pa sa ibibigay ng gobyerno, ay ang mabigat na kapalit: ang kalayaan sa pagpapahayag ng sariling opinyon, ang pagkakalayo sa mga mahal sa buhay, at pagharap sa panganib ng kaguluhan habang nasa serbisyo. At ano nga ba ang naghihintay sa labas ng PMA? Tayo ay kabilang sa Third World at kaakibat nito ay ang pangangailangang pagkasyahin kung anuman ang resources na mayroon. Mamimiss mo nga raw ang barracks sa PMA oras na naglingkod ka na sa "totoong mundo."
Sa pulitika, dapat lang daw na hindi makialam. Hindi naman kasi talaga iyon ang agenda ninyo. Kailangang nakapokus lang sa tungkuling pangalagaan ang seguridad ng bansa at kapayapaan para sa mga sibilyan.
Danger of A Politicized Military
Military men, assuming other roles, tend to use illegitimate means to advance their cause. In the Oakwood Mutiny though, there were legitimate grievances: AFP modernization, benefits of soldiers encompassing housing problems, medical services, Retirement and Separation Benefits System (RSBS) and compensation for those who were killed in battle, and issues on procurement involving the practice of conversion that leads to lack of supplies. The incident called for the reinforcement of the law against rebellion, staging a coup and, violated some provisions of the Articles of War. Resolving these problems entail going back to the teachings of PMA, centered on the Honor System.
The Feliciano Commission reports that "A number of former coup plotters who had been punished for their participation in the coup attempts of the 1980s and returned to the military after the 1995 grant of unconditional amnesty, have turned their back on military adventurism. Members of their units did not join the Magdalo group in Oakwood. But some of those who receive unconditional amnesty without prior punishment were in the list of members of the NRP [National Recovery Program] Council. This suggests that consistent enforcement of the law may be a critical factor in neutralizing the coup virus." This finding implies that there is a need to reverse the culture of impunity, since it encourages further violation.
Ø This also stresses command responsibility. Higher men should always maintain 100% loyalty to our national interest.
Ø Amnesty programs are effective means for reconciliation and gaining back the former rebels to the mainstream of society.
Ø Those who have turned their backs on military adventurism may be used to conduct seminars or lectures for soldiers.
Ø AFP officers who were involved in the Oakwood Mutiny in 2003 have not yet learned the lessons from past experiences of the country. There should really be a reorientation in the education of our soldiers. Also, this calls for the improvement of our educational system because military men were first citizens before entering the institution. From the start, good values especially that of love of country and democracy should have already been inculcated.
For the Magdalo soldiers, their legitimate grievances justify their mutiny. Truly, corruption exists within the institution and these men were already helpless in seeking for an authority to whom they can voice their complaints:
Ø the "overstaying" of some retired men in the quarters (privately-owned) at Fort Bonifacio, Makati
Ø the need for proper, orderly liquidation of the RSBS fund
Ø the small amount given to the beneficiaries of soldiers killed in action. Another problem is the delay when processing papers to identify dependents.
Ø Conversion. Instead of upgrading their supplies in the field or even the facilities in offices, the alloted money is being used for other purposes unknown to the soldiers.
There’s no good in letting a Machiavellian way of thinking to dominate. Even if they intend to reform the military, they themselves become threats to the nation in the long run. Aren’t they supposed to protect it, first and foremost?
The President As Commander-In-Chief
This is founded on civilian supremacy. Civilian leadership is supreme to the military because the latter is known in history for using brute force to perpetuate themselves in power. The distinct nature of the military institution causes danger as they have weapons, numbers and command structure that can be used against the state. Their role is traditionally to be "confined in the barracks" and they should not go beyond what they are allowed to do. A conflict of interest possesses great potential to affect their efficiency as an institution that is supposed to ensure our national security.
What Now?
I've thought about these things starting in a political science class that I took years ago. By sharing them with you, I'm also giving you the option to correct the misconceptions that I might be having.
Soldiers have sacrificed a lot already: Giving up the right to express their own thoughts and opinions, having to wear that uniform all the time, living the regimented life. And they're about to sacrifice a lot more. For most of these men, one thing serves as the ultimate source of inspiration:
Coming back HOME.
