T for Treason

I must register my strongest reaction to Ramon Farolan’s column “Lunch with Sonny” (Opinion, 10/9/17).

In the true tradition of his alma mater, I must ask him and Sonny: “Are you all right, sir?”

Let me put my stance in context: I am the eldest grandson of Maj. Gen. Paulino Santos, the first recipient of the Medal of Valor and after whom General Santos City is named.

My grandfather was not a PMAyer; he was an enlisted man who rose from the ranks, handpicked by President Manuel L. Quezon and Gen. Douglas MacArthur to be chief of staff.

I believe the most serious offense a soldier, and especially an officer, could commit is TREASON. For this, “T” (Antonio Trillanes IV) and his 300 followers should have been court-martialed and jailed, and the leaders of the coup shot by firing squad.

Instead, T was pardoned by then President Benigno Aquino III. His political victory was tainted: The votes of the Filipino people cannot erase the fact that he was a traitor.

The slow justice system affects many prisoners and should not be used as an excuse to absolve a traitor.

Now in a way, T is leaving another coup with his destabilizing charges.

I generally agree with Farolan’s prior points of view — but I cannot when he cavalierly absolves T — T for Treason.

AMADO MUNDA, [email protected]