By Rolo B. Cena
Hushed Poppies
Dumaguete Star Informer
30 October 2011
After the series of atrocities carried out by members of the Abu Sayaff against government troops, reports claiming demoralization in the military is top-billing political hullabaloos these days. As advised by Malacanang, demoralization is an exaggeration. In an earlier report, government troops seized rebel camp that is hosting about 100 outlaws.
Sen. Marcos hits Pres. Aquino over the alleged demoralization. Sen. Trillanes affirms that coup plot maybe possible due to alleged demoralization.
The world, the Islamic world, is watching them! Apparently, the country experiences two wars lately: Abu Sayaff and political bifurcation. The entire Philippines watches them, too!
The war, to put it globally generic, the rebel troops is executing is classic. To put it more universal, it is classified as terrorism. Since time and opportunity created rebellion, terrorism has long been plaguing the country, the government, and the people. Additionally, it has forged business deals between and among powers, super or inferior, in the guise of stopping it. Powers, whether in the suit of nations or politicians, have amassed wealth, in the guise of political programs. Undoubtedly, the fire is still burning.
Indisputably, you can’t put out the fire unless the will outwits lethargy; you can’t put out the fire unless the will outdoes greed, be it political or personal. Since this tumor has grown to be malignant, there is no way to stop it. The government cannot stop terrorism!
Marcos hitting Aquino maybe biased. For one, the country’s top executive announces that there will be no military burial for the former dictator. This was condemned by the Marcoses themselves, and the loyalists. Ironically, Vice Pres. Binay who meddles for the burial of the strongman is still waiting for his most opportune time to laugh and cry as in the olden days.
Look at the sky outside. Sometimes it is azure, significant of a good weather; sometimes, dark, significant of a coming storm. When the late dictator ruled the country, no military burial or honor was conferred to the older Aquino. Look who’s talking now?
It would be a novel idea to keep the cadaver in its frozen state until Bongbong Marcos becomes president or vice president. At the side, yes, he is capable. With Binay planning to run for president, I strongly believe Bongbong is a perfect veepee! Not only Ilocos but the entire nation watches over this. Just you wait!
Perfectly, what comes around goes around; what goes around comes around!
Just as the way they were, the Aquino administration is on its way to persecute, or prosecute the Arroyos and their cohorts by hook or by crook. About close to forty other personalities, other than the couple, are summoned to attend the joint DOJ-Comelec preliminary hearing slated Nov. 3, 2011 for two cases: electoral sabotage and electoral fraud.
Will somebody be convicted? Will the Aquino engines towards “tuwid na daan” ever be effective?
Let’s keep our fingers crossed. Political crimes gave birth to clemency; clemency paved the way for pardon. To date, several personalities were pardoned: The actor-turned politician for plunder and Trillanes and his cohorts for military uprisings.
Putting my two cents in, the waterloo of the Philippine justice system is the vicious cycle of prosecute and pardon in the sense that offenders are put on trial, convicted and eventually pardoned.
Scratch my back and I will scratch yours! A classic story of time and tide, hit and run, and hate and love is in the offing, once again!
And this cycle will never cease, and will continue to be, even beyond the grave of the last man of the Palace unless honesty and pure service precede politics!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Terrorism and the President
By Rolo B. Cena
Hushed Poppies
Dumaguete Star Informer
23 October 2011
Early on, Pres. Aquino has always expressed optimism to stop Abu Sayaff’s terroristic activities in the country. Basically founded in the badlands of the south, the left wing of MILF has been considered by the local and international governments as among the most notorious of Islamic factions.
This is according to him!
The President met Abu’s high ranking officer in Japan, a move his colleagues considered novel and tactical. Since the meeting was not made known to everyone nor consultation was made, it came out as a surprise.
Apparently, the nation is still experiencing the wrath of the rebels.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to crush the “communist insurgency, rebellion in the South, and terrorism” by the end of her term in 2010.
This was according to her. Surprisingly, it was during her term that the terroristic activities of this group heightened: kidnappings, bombings, et al. Worse, Abu Sayaff gained confidence and enormous strength after getting international alliances and financial support.
These were according to intelligence report!
When Marcos assumed powers in the Palace, one of his foremost aims was to stop insurgency, rebellion, and terrorism. Sadly though, before his forced exit from the Philippine, not even one stopped.
Cory Aquino was sworn into office after the controversial snap election. A neophyte in politics, she was faced with the same dilemma. Until her dominion expired, terrorism was not resolved. Worse, several military coups were born that further gave birth to a senator.
Ramos, a West Pointer and a military man took over the palace. He vowed the same thing. But he failed and was failed by his own colleagues in the military. The short-lived term of actor Joseph Estrada also did not accomplish what the entire country hoped for.
Shortly before the start of the Ramadan this year, five members of the elite Philippine Marines were beheaded in Sulu. In a clash between the Islamic rebels and the government troops in Basilan in the 18th of October, at least 19 people were slain. The troop was claiming that they lacked pre-loaded magazines and they were outnumbered.
Reading through the statements, it seems that the government is not at all ready to stop the long time insurgency in the south; in ultimately putting a dot to the rhetoric of MILF. With the bloated budget and un-resolved “pabaon” issues in the military, what the “um” are we doing with our emissaries? – sending them off to battlefields without weapons? - And in number lesser than the enemies?
Arguably though, none of them knew what they were talking about; none of them knew what they were working at. At the rate the government is going, there is no way terrorism, insurgency, or rebellion – however we would call it – will ever be stopped. Unless our lawmakers put some teeth on the Anti-terrorism Law, we will never succeed as a nation.
And this ‘teeth” should be something that would express desire for life more than political greed or articulate life more than passion for the animal deduced to “pork in a barrel.”
Let me express my thought here: Unless political greed is reduced to nil, only then can Juan and Pidro claim that the battle against terrorism, insurgency or rebellion has been won. Greed brings about terrorism; terrorism is greed!
Hushed Poppies
Dumaguete Star Informer
23 October 2011
Early on, Pres. Aquino has always expressed optimism to stop Abu Sayaff’s terroristic activities in the country. Basically founded in the badlands of the south, the left wing of MILF has been considered by the local and international governments as among the most notorious of Islamic factions.
This is according to him!
The President met Abu’s high ranking officer in Japan, a move his colleagues considered novel and tactical. Since the meeting was not made known to everyone nor consultation was made, it came out as a surprise.
Apparently, the nation is still experiencing the wrath of the rebels.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to crush the “communist insurgency, rebellion in the South, and terrorism” by the end of her term in 2010.
This was according to her. Surprisingly, it was during her term that the terroristic activities of this group heightened: kidnappings, bombings, et al. Worse, Abu Sayaff gained confidence and enormous strength after getting international alliances and financial support.
These were according to intelligence report!
When Marcos assumed powers in the Palace, one of his foremost aims was to stop insurgency, rebellion, and terrorism. Sadly though, before his forced exit from the Philippine, not even one stopped.
Cory Aquino was sworn into office after the controversial snap election. A neophyte in politics, she was faced with the same dilemma. Until her dominion expired, terrorism was not resolved. Worse, several military coups were born that further gave birth to a senator.
Ramos, a West Pointer and a military man took over the palace. He vowed the same thing. But he failed and was failed by his own colleagues in the military. The short-lived term of actor Joseph Estrada also did not accomplish what the entire country hoped for.
Shortly before the start of the Ramadan this year, five members of the elite Philippine Marines were beheaded in Sulu. In a clash between the Islamic rebels and the government troops in Basilan in the 18th of October, at least 19 people were slain. The troop was claiming that they lacked pre-loaded magazines and they were outnumbered.
Reading through the statements, it seems that the government is not at all ready to stop the long time insurgency in the south; in ultimately putting a dot to the rhetoric of MILF. With the bloated budget and un-resolved “pabaon” issues in the military, what the “um” are we doing with our emissaries? – sending them off to battlefields without weapons? - And in number lesser than the enemies?
Arguably though, none of them knew what they were talking about; none of them knew what they were working at. At the rate the government is going, there is no way terrorism, insurgency, or rebellion – however we would call it – will ever be stopped. Unless our lawmakers put some teeth on the Anti-terrorism Law, we will never succeed as a nation.
And this ‘teeth” should be something that would express desire for life more than political greed or articulate life more than passion for the animal deduced to “pork in a barrel.”
Let me express my thought here: Unless political greed is reduced to nil, only then can Juan and Pidro claim that the battle against terrorism, insurgency or rebellion has been won. Greed brings about terrorism; terrorism is greed!
Terrorism and the President
By Rolo B. Cena
Hushed Poppies
Dumaguete Star Informer
23 October 2011
Early on, Pres. Aquino has always expressed optimism to stop Abu Sayaff’s terroristic activities in the country. Basically founded in the badlands of the south, the left wing of MILF has been considered by the local and international governments as among the most notorious of Islamic factions.
This is according to him!
The President met Abu’s high ranking officer in Japan, a move his colleagues considered novel and tactical. Since the meeting was not made known to everyone nor consultation was made, it came out as a surprise.
Apparently, the nation is still experiencing the wrath of the rebels.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to crush the “communist insurgency, rebellion in the South, and terrorism” by the end of her term in 2010.
This was according to her. Surprisingly, it was during her term that the terroristic activities of this group heightened: kidnappings, bombings, et al. Worse, Abu Sayaff gained confidence and enormous strength after getting international alliances and financial support.
These were according to intelligence report!
When Marcos assumed powers in the Palace, one of his foremost aims was to stop insurgency, rebellion, and terrorism. Sadly though, before his forced exit from the Philippine, not even one stopped.
Cory Aquino was sworn into office after the controversial snap election. A neophyte in politics, she was faced with the same dilemma. Until her dominion expired, terrorism was not resolved. Worse, several military coups were born that further gave birth to a senator.
Ramos, a West Pointer and a military man took over the palace. He vowed the same thing. But he failed and was failed by his own colleagues in the military. The short-lived term of actor Joseph Estrada also did not accomplish what the entire country hoped for.
Shortly before the start of the Ramadan this year, five members of the elite Philippine Marines were beheaded in Sulu. In a clash between the Islamic rebels and the government troops in Basilan in the 18th of October, at least 19 people were slain. The troop was claiming that they lacked pre-loaded magazines and they were outnumbered.
Reading through the statements, it seems that the government is not at all ready to stop the long time insurgency in the south; in ultimately putting a dot to the rhetoric of MILF. With the bloated budget and un-resolved “pabaon” issues in the military, what the “um” are we doing with our emissaries? – sending them off to battlefields without weapons? - And in number lesser than the enemies?
Arguably though, none of them knew what they were talking about; none of them knew what they were working at. At the rate the government is going, there is no way terrorism, insurgency, or rebellion – however we would call it – will ever be stopped. Unless our lawmakers put some teeth on the Anti-terrorism Law, we will never succeed as a nation.
And this ‘teeth” should be something that would express desire for life more than political greed or articulate life more than passion for the animal deduced to “pork in a barrel.”
Let me express my thought here: Unless political greed is reduced to nil, only then can Juan and Pidro claim that the battle against terrorism, insurgency or rebellion has been won. Greed brings about terrorism; terrorism is greed!
Hushed Poppies
Dumaguete Star Informer
23 October 2011
Early on, Pres. Aquino has always expressed optimism to stop Abu Sayaff’s terroristic activities in the country. Basically founded in the badlands of the south, the left wing of MILF has been considered by the local and international governments as among the most notorious of Islamic factions.
This is according to him!
The President met Abu’s high ranking officer in Japan, a move his colleagues considered novel and tactical. Since the meeting was not made known to everyone nor consultation was made, it came out as a surprise.
Apparently, the nation is still experiencing the wrath of the rebels.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to crush the “communist insurgency, rebellion in the South, and terrorism” by the end of her term in 2010.
This was according to her. Surprisingly, it was during her term that the terroristic activities of this group heightened: kidnappings, bombings, et al. Worse, Abu Sayaff gained confidence and enormous strength after getting international alliances and financial support.
These were according to intelligence report!
When Marcos assumed powers in the Palace, one of his foremost aims was to stop insurgency, rebellion, and terrorism. Sadly though, before his forced exit from the Philippine, not even one stopped.
Cory Aquino was sworn into office after the controversial snap election. A neophyte in politics, she was faced with the same dilemma. Until her dominion expired, terrorism was not resolved. Worse, several military coups were born that further gave birth to a senator.
Ramos, a West Pointer and a military man took over the palace. He vowed the same thing. But he failed and was failed by his own colleagues in the military. The short-lived term of actor Joseph Estrada also did not accomplish what the entire country hoped for.
Shortly before the start of the Ramadan this year, five members of the elite Philippine Marines were beheaded in Sulu. In a clash between the Islamic rebels and the government troops in Basilan in the 18th of October, at least 19 people were slain. The troop was claiming that they lacked pre-loaded magazines and they were outnumbered.
Reading through the statements, it seems that the government is not at all ready to stop the long time insurgency in the south; in ultimately putting a dot to the rhetoric of MILF. With the bloated budget and un-resolved “pabaon” issues in the military, what the “um” are we doing with our emissaries? – sending them off to battlefields without weapons? - And in number lesser than the enemies?
Arguably though, none of them knew what they were talking about; none of them knew what they were working at. At the rate the government is going, there is no way terrorism, insurgency, or rebellion – however we would call it – will ever be stopped. Unless our lawmakers put some teeth on the Anti-terrorism Law, we will never succeed as a nation.
And this ‘teeth” should be something that would express desire for life more than political greed or articulate life more than passion for the animal deduced to “pork in a barrel.”
Let me express my thought here: Unless political greed is reduced to nil, only then can Juan and Pidro claim that the battle against terrorism, insurgency or rebellion has been won. Greed brings about terrorism; terrorism is greed!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tic-tac-toe
By Rolo B. Cena
Hushed Poppies
Dumaguete Star Informer
16 October 2011
Last Wednesday, President Benigno Aquino III announced that charges would be filed against former President now Pampanga Second District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo next month amidst report that the latter would seek medical treatment in Germany due to a life-threatening and very “rare disease.”
On the other hand, Justice Sec. Leila de Lima pronounced that the cases are going on through the process and that her team is yet to finish before December. In addition, she does not give any commitment as to the date of filing these charges. In relation to the former president’s ailment, her husband disclosed that she is suffering from hyperparathyroidism, a non-life-threatening disease, contrary to the announcement made by Arroyo’s spokesperson.
Surely, the optimism of Pres. Aquino is just hard to suppress, one that his mother Cory had exhibited and executed against her predecessor, Ferdinand Marcos and his cohorts. Very fortunately though, the Marcoses are still free and continue to enjoy the same freedom victims of Martial Law enjoy; worse, they still enjoy the fruits of their plunder, if at all it was the most plausible, or to say the least, the decided case against them.
Arguably, De Lima wouldn’t prematurely announce any development her investigating team has raked in; an accuracy she needs to calculate precisely in defense of the Palace. While the President marks the first square based on the mark indicated by the investigating Team, the last square in a row cannot be marked until December comes in.
On the other hand, Arroyo and his cohorts are more ready than Leila de Lima, et al. Whether or not the ailment is “life-threatening,” their defenses are tactically calculative of their state; supporters are playing their own hullabaloos in counterstrike. With the number of cases under the chair of de Lima still undecided, the target of filing plunder charges next month against the petite lady, et al is“water under the bridge.” It is me-and-my-big-mouth syndrome plaguing the Palace Court once again.
At the rate our system is going, any offender can go loosely unnoticed even before the search operation begins. This is a very classic phenomenon in the country especially when political power converges with the colors of the money the offender has in his vault.
Synchronicity is one hell of a game; most cases fail because witnesses and statements are not in synch with each other; worse, people and events, if ever glossily fabricated, are not coordinated according to the flow.
Tact is another.
Clearly, we can see the game played by two players who alternately mark squares in a grid with X’s , with one of them trying to capture the last square in a row they both know cannot be drawn with final “oops.”
When Speaker Belmonte granted Congressman Arroyo with three travel authorities, the former deliberately marks the first square in the latter’s favor. When she finally leaves for Germany for medical treatment, the government, in the guise of the Speaker, marks the second square, again, in her favor. Unless the administration bars the next square, then the game is over.
Tic-tac-toe: Arroyo in self-exile and political asylum! And what could her defense be? – Politically motivated!
Plunder cases are nonbailable; the same are not covered in the Extradition treaty we signed with several countries, including Germany where Arroyo is seeking medical treatment. Loosely, this is one matter the government has to look into without giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Series of inconsistencies from Aquino and his team are clearly happening from day one. Ronaldo Llamas, Presidential Adviser for Political affairs, has recently captured the sixty-second spotlight. His rhetoric: self-defense. Aquino has advocated a “wang-wang-less” administration as one of the engines of “tuwid na daan.” But what surprises the public now is the introduction of a more complicated and edgy program: the bang-bang!
Tic-tac-toe, give me my last square, else: Doesn’t’ “history repeat itself?”
Hushed Poppies
Dumaguete Star Informer
16 October 2011
Last Wednesday, President Benigno Aquino III announced that charges would be filed against former President now Pampanga Second District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo next month amidst report that the latter would seek medical treatment in Germany due to a life-threatening and very “rare disease.”
On the other hand, Justice Sec. Leila de Lima pronounced that the cases are going on through the process and that her team is yet to finish before December. In addition, she does not give any commitment as to the date of filing these charges. In relation to the former president’s ailment, her husband disclosed that she is suffering from hyperparathyroidism, a non-life-threatening disease, contrary to the announcement made by Arroyo’s spokesperson.
Surely, the optimism of Pres. Aquino is just hard to suppress, one that his mother Cory had exhibited and executed against her predecessor, Ferdinand Marcos and his cohorts. Very fortunately though, the Marcoses are still free and continue to enjoy the same freedom victims of Martial Law enjoy; worse, they still enjoy the fruits of their plunder, if at all it was the most plausible, or to say the least, the decided case against them.
Arguably, De Lima wouldn’t prematurely announce any development her investigating team has raked in; an accuracy she needs to calculate precisely in defense of the Palace. While the President marks the first square based on the mark indicated by the investigating Team, the last square in a row cannot be marked until December comes in.
On the other hand, Arroyo and his cohorts are more ready than Leila de Lima, et al. Whether or not the ailment is “life-threatening,” their defenses are tactically calculative of their state; supporters are playing their own hullabaloos in counterstrike. With the number of cases under the chair of de Lima still undecided, the target of filing plunder charges next month against the petite lady, et al is“water under the bridge.” It is me-and-my-big-mouth syndrome plaguing the Palace Court once again.
At the rate our system is going, any offender can go loosely unnoticed even before the search operation begins. This is a very classic phenomenon in the country especially when political power converges with the colors of the money the offender has in his vault.
Synchronicity is one hell of a game; most cases fail because witnesses and statements are not in synch with each other; worse, people and events, if ever glossily fabricated, are not coordinated according to the flow.
Tact is another.
Clearly, we can see the game played by two players who alternately mark squares in a grid with X’s , with one of them trying to capture the last square in a row they both know cannot be drawn with final “oops.”
When Speaker Belmonte granted Congressman Arroyo with three travel authorities, the former deliberately marks the first square in the latter’s favor. When she finally leaves for Germany for medical treatment, the government, in the guise of the Speaker, marks the second square, again, in her favor. Unless the administration bars the next square, then the game is over.
Tic-tac-toe: Arroyo in self-exile and political asylum! And what could her defense be? – Politically motivated!
Plunder cases are nonbailable; the same are not covered in the Extradition treaty we signed with several countries, including Germany where Arroyo is seeking medical treatment. Loosely, this is one matter the government has to look into without giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Series of inconsistencies from Aquino and his team are clearly happening from day one. Ronaldo Llamas, Presidential Adviser for Political affairs, has recently captured the sixty-second spotlight. His rhetoric: self-defense. Aquino has advocated a “wang-wang-less” administration as one of the engines of “tuwid na daan.” But what surprises the public now is the introduction of a more complicated and edgy program: the bang-bang!
Tic-tac-toe, give me my last square, else: Doesn’t’ “history repeat itself?”
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