I agree with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile: Law enforcers should follow the “principle of necessity” in chasing people with guns in crowded places lest the gunmen would shoot at them. (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 12/9/08) [Read story] This reminds me of an incident when I was enrolled in Basic ROTC and found myself arguing with senior cadets on the theory that a soldier should “never fire at the enemy unless fired upon.” In the actual shooting war, the prevailing theory is “to kill or get killed.” This theory is also anchored on the principle of necessity.

Our discussion was stopped by the training officer who had many experiences in combat operations against the defunct Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan. He told the senior cadets that I was right. On the war front, the combatant no longer thinks about the theory of “not to fire unless fired upon.” He applies only the theory of “kill or get killed.”

GODOFREDO O. PETEZA, post commander, Veterans Federation of the Philippines, Daet South-Imelda Veterans Post, Camarines Norte Veterans District, Daet