Monumental leadership failures and what causes them

The first impulse of ordinary mortals nowadays is to blame the President for the bloody massacre of 44 police troopers in Maguindanao. In fact, he is being criticized for not being present in the Villamor Air Base for the arrival honors given to the 42 (the two of the 42 victims were buried immediately as Muslims in accordance with Islamic rules) fallen heroes' bodies. The president opted to attend the inauguration of a car manufacturing plant in Laguna. We too strongly believe that President Aquino owes the families of the victims some apology, in line with the principle of command responsibility. But I lay the blame on all the president's men.

The opinions of President FVR, Congressman Rodolfo Biazon, and former Senator Ping Lacson are unanimous, that the top leadership should assume responsibility for that monumental debacle that places the sovereignty of the nation in grave doubt. There was a serious failure in the highest echelon of the national leadership. First, a suspended police general, General Alan L. Purisima, who is not supposed to perform official functions, was directly ordered to be in charge. Second, the acting PNP Chief General Espina was kept in the dark. If he is not worthy to be trusted, why is he designated to be at the helm?

Third, the DILG Secretary, Mar Roxas, the man who made a great sacrifice, in setting aside his presidential plans, in order to support President Aquino, was not trusted enough by his boss, so much so that he was by-passed in such a critical operation. His subordinates were deployed without giving him the courtesy of being informed. That was a virtual slap at the face, both officially and personally. In other countries, the DILG Secretary should redeem his honor by tendering his irrevocable resignation. He should cut clean from a government that does not respect his position and his person. To continue being treated like dirt is irreconcilable with self-esteem and dignity.

Fourth, all police operations of a sovereign nation should never be subject to being "coordinated" or cleared by rebel forces. If this government has agreed to such a stipulation in the Bangsamoro framework of agreement, then we are afraid that such might constitute a culpable violation of our Constitution, a grave offense that constitutes a ground for impeachment. Fifth, why were the police forces, who were out to arrest a foreign terrorist, not supported by military security. They were meek lambs fed to a den of lions. They were ordered to march into a trap of highly treacherous enemies. They were slaughtered mercilessly.

Sixth, why was the president directly involved in such a highly delicate and largely tactical police operation? Seventh, how true is the report that we just wanted to impress the US by hopelessly trying to arrest or neutralize a foreign terrorist? At the cost of 44 lives, too young and so promising? And lastly, is it true that such a gambit was mainly to allow Purisima, a close friend, a chance to redeem himself from all the charges against him? Well, we have our high respect for the president. He is honest, committed to the peace process, and has all the best intentions. But his advisers failed to give him the proper and timely inputs before he made such a crucial decision.

The failure in leadership is thus caused by the monumental failures of police and military advisers. But whatever the causes, at the end of the day, the buck stops at the commander-in-chief.  The principle of ''respondeat superior'' means only that, first, the leader failed to choose the right men, and second, these men did not deliver on their sworn duties. Some heads must thus roll. Out there, the people are crying for blood.