Handling of uprising enhances GMA image

No less than US State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher has announced that the Bush administration was pleased at the way that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo handled the military uprising in Makati last Sunday. First, there was no bloodshed; second, there was no destruction of property despite the fact that the army rebels had cordoned the area with wired explosives. Government negotiators succeeded 100 percent in urging the rebels to surrender. Everything was done according to the rule of law. You can’t defend democracy if you use undemocratic means in the name of preserving democracy.

Cardinal Sin has pointed out two vital actions that now have to be taken. First is the court martial of the officers and soldiers who were involved in the rebelllion. Second, conduct an impartial investigation regarding their complaints. From what we see, their complaints were valid. It was the means they used to air their complaints that discredited their cause. What we like about their complaints was that they were directed at the corrupt members of the armed forces. For there is no doubt that for sometime now, corrupt officials of our armed forces have been selling arms and ammunition to rebels and bandits. And there is good reason to believe that some high officials were even getting a cut on ransom paid by hostages to groups like the Abu Sayyaf.

The investigation should also draw a distinction between the officers and the soldiers. As we noted before, in the case of Ninoy Aquino’s assassination, the soldiers who just followed orders are now in jail. But the person who gave the orders to arrest and shoot Ninoy has to this date not even been identified.

Were the Magdalo mutineers operating strictly on their own or were they just being used by higher officials in the armed forces and the government?

A former official under ousted President Joseph Estrada, Ramon Cardenas, for example, is now charged before the Makati Regional Trial Court in connection with the mutiny. Is there really a link between Cardenas and the mutineers?

The damage that the rebellion has caused to our economy is undoubtedly great. The country is now officially in a state of rebellion and the center of the rebellion was Metro Manila’s main financial district. This will not only keep tourists out, it will drive investors out of the country.

By the way, when the mutineers invaded Oakwood Hotel, my daughter and three grandchildren were staying at Room 1872 of said hotel. They have nothing but the highest praises for the hotel personnel – Oakwood Premier General Manager Robert A. Rosetti and chef Jerome Cartailler who went out of their way to make all the houseguests feel safe and secure. Chef Jerome Cartailler would personally bring water to the guests in their respective rooms.

We commend them all.