Disturbing reports about the Makati mutiny

The most disturbing report about the July 27 Magdalo mutiny is the findings that the mutineers were not equipped with the standard weapons of our military. They were armed with more superior weapons that had been purchased in the United States at an estimated cost of P30-million. This is clear proof that the officers and soldiers who participated in the Oakwood incident did not do so on their own. They were used by persons who have all monetary means to hire people to do their will.

The real problem, therefore, is to identify these people and have enough proof to charge them in court with rebellion. The soldiers themselves may not have known that they were just being used. They had legitimate complaints, but they themselves were violating the law and not living up to their sworn duties as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In the places the over 300 mutineers occupied, investigators found two-way telephones, field packs used only by special military forces and other equipments not issued to the soldiers who surrendered in Makati City’s main financial district. Their gravest offense was defending their unit by surrounding themselves with bombs that were wired for explosion. Again, as in the Aquino assassination, the soldiers who were merely obeying orders have been apprehended. But the mastermind is still a free member of society.

Two names have been cropping up as possible financial backers of that mutiny. Ramon Cardenas, a former member of Joseph Estrada’s cabinet, has been arrested and charged of promoting the uprising. The other is Sen. Gregorio Honasan, who led several coup plots against the presidency of Corazon Aquino. We don’t know if there is any direct evidence that could link either or both to the July 27 mutiney.

In the meantime, the country is still in a "state of rebellion." This undoubtedly will keep tourists and foreign investors out of the country, but if there is still a threat of rebellion, then the administration will have to go by the facts. The Oakwood incident is over, but the state of rebellion is a "mantle of protection" until it is fully determined that "all residual threats" are resolved by the administration.

What is sad about our situation, is that our thoughts, energies and resources should be going to eliminating poverty by creating more and more opportunities through sustainable growth. Instead, our resources are going to the purchase of illegal arms and rebellions that do not do the country and the rebels themselves any good.

What we need: Peace and order with justice. To attain these, we will have to begin by identifying, arresting, prosecuting and convicting those who bring about disorders. We must be careful, however, that it is the guilty parties that are arrested. The mutiny must never be used to arrest innocent persons. Evidence must be presented against all those charged and it will be up to the courts to determine the guilt or innocence of those accused. Here we assumed that people are innocent till proven guilty. We don’t assume anything. We wait for the courts to decide.