One rotten apple doesn’t a bad tree make

THE ONGOING investigation into corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines is, doubtless, a welcome development in the campaign to root out unseemly practices in government. This shows that our public officials are finally waking up and something is being done to combat greed and selfishness among our public servants.

However, this and recent events have severely damaged the image of the AFP in the eyes of the very people it is supposed to serve and protect.

Quite a large number of our countrymen—49 percent, according to a survey conducted by Pulse Asia during the period adverse issues concerning AFP officials were being reported in the media—now consider the AFP as the most corrupt agency of our government. It is saddening to see that this perception was based on the wrongful actions of a few individuals. Ascribing the faults of a few to the entire, larger institution is unfair to the vast majority of soldiers who have faithfully dedicated their lives to the service of the nation.

We must not be quick to jump into the conclusion that the entire AFP is corrupt just because a handful of “bad apples” are found in its ranks. That these “apples” are being accused of or suspected of committing mind-boggling corruption does not mean that everyone in the institution has the same propensity for greed. One rotten apple does not a bad tree make.

—ALBERT C. ORTEGA,
[email protected]