Marines on the brink

We were all glued to the TV as the marines went on the brink of a bloody clash with each other. A certain Col. Querubin called for civil society support as he refused to recognize his new commandant. It turned out, as news would put it, that the previous commandant volunteered to be relieved. They said Philippine marines is one of the most disciplined and professional units in the armed forces and would obey nothing but their commandant; thus, they would have gone Querubin's way of disobedience. But, to the disappointment of the putschists and putschists' sympathizers, the standoff was resolved peacefully, with the marines returning to their barracks around midnight. I think the day was saved by Vice Admiral Mayuga who let the chain of command work itself out, refusing to "micromanage," and letting the new commandant, Gen. Allaga handle Querubin.


What was notable in all the tumult was how the top echelon of the armed forces and the police is dominated by Ilocanos: Chief of Staff Gen. Senga, Chief of Police Gen. Lomibao, National Capital Region's chief Gen. Querol. Although I don't see evil in the eyes of these generals, I was reminded of the Ilocano axis of power in MAlacañang back in Martial Law days---Marcos-Ver-Ramos-Enrile.

The morning after, national TV was awash with theories and sentiments about the standoff. On channel 23, Atom Araullo, a budding activitist, was having a discussion with yet another student leader from San Beda. The student was emphatic: "The armed forces was already with us. It was a disappointment that nothing happened." What was he rooting for to happen? Bloodshed? Military takeover? Junta leadership? An alliance between the leftist and the rightist forces, and the opposition camp (the Estrada clowns) is the least the country needs now. It happened in EDSA II and look where we are now, the spoils still being contested among these clashing forces, to the detriment of the Filipino people.