Of cadets, leftists and peacemakers

First of all, a story of courage and selflessness.

First Class Cadet Alfonso Aviles of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) was in Manila last week to serve as proctor during the nationwide entrance examinations for the PMA. He was assigned to one of several testing centers in Metro Manila to assist applicants who were scheduled for the written exams that were the initial step on the road to a possible cadet slot at the nation’s premier military institute in Baguio City.

According to news reports, Aviles was a passenger in a jeepney plying the routes in Barangay Greater Lagro in Quezon City when a fellow passenger took out a .45 caliber pistol and announced a holdup. While in the process of divesting a woman passenger of her valuables, Aviles boldly lunged at the robber and attempted to take away his firearm. Unfortunately the gunman was able to react and shot Aviles in the neck with the bullet exiting through his face. The driver of the jeepney brought the wounded cadet to Fairview General Hospital after which he was transferred to the V. Luna Medical Center of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The latest report indicates that Aviles is in stable condition but remains unconscious and still on intravenous (I.V.) medication.

Cadet Aviles is a native of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. The son of a retired Marine master sergeant, he is the third in a family of seven boys and two girls. He also has an uncle who served in the military.

We join the PMA community in praying for his speedy recovery. His courage and heroism in the face of grave danger to his personal safety are a source of pride and inspiration for all “Peemayers.” His actions were in the finest traditions of the Corps. As letter writer Ellyn Manuel put it, “Aviles showed that even though he was still a cadet, the PMA had already imbued in him—and this goes for the rest of the PMA cadets—the value of service, bravery, and kabayanihan in the truest sense of the word. He was willing to face danger and even offered his life for others… he was truly a man of service, giving of himself selflessly. It is each and every Filipino’s fervent prayer that the good Lord help him survive what he is going through now; the country needs men of valor like him.”

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Two weeks ago, on the initiative of the national security adviser, Secretary Cesar Garcia Jr., a number of retired senior AFP officers had an opportunity to meet with Secretary Ronaldo M. Llamas, presidential adviser on political affairs, and Dean Marvic Leonen, chair of the Philippine government panel in the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The topic of Secretary Llamas was: “Seeing Beyond Shades of Red: Facts, Myths and Misconceptions about the Philippine Left.” Among the Cabinet members of the present administration, Llamas probably has the thickest file at the Intelligence Service of the  Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp). This explains the effort to talk about his personal life, the different twists and turns along the way that ultimately led to his appointment as a senior adviser to the Commander in Chief.

Llamas is a socialist. My colleagues in the AFP may see things differently, but if we denounce everyone whose beliefs lie left of center, we may be missing out on some of the best minds of this country. There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “When you’re young and you espouse radical (this is a relative term) views, your heart is in the right place. But when you grow older and you still go for radical positions, then your mind may not be in the right place.”

Often I have wondered where I am on the political spectrum—right, center or left. The answer came at Sunday services while facing the Almighty. My heart is on the left side, but my strongest limbs are on the right.

Secretary Llamas enjoys a good movie once in a while. He should try the big screen every now and then, preferably with a Coke and a bucket of popcorn. Watching DVDs at home can often be subject to all kinds of interruptions.

There is nothing wrong with Llamas and other socialist-leaning colleagues in government. When communism was in its greatest height of power during the Cold War, it was socialist leadership that saved the day for many of the nations in Western Europe. If we are to move forward as a nation, we should be able to harness the talents and abilities of all our people, regardless of political inclination.

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Dean Leonen, chair of the Philippine panel for talks with the MILF, gave us a very informative update on his discussions with the MILF. Many of the points he raised helped to clarify some of our misgivings about the peace process. Some issues were sensitive and he asked for confidentiality on these matters.

Leonen informed the group that his mandate from President Aquino covers five areas: 1) upholding the country’s sovereignty; 2) maintaining territorial integrity; 3) looking into flexibilities of the Constitution; 4) transparency; and 5) consultation with all affected sectors.

In his briefing, Leonen stated his belief that the MILF was no longer interested in pursuing independence or even an amendment of the Constitution to accommodate some of its demands. He saw the proposed peace agreement as one that would satisfy its desire for limited autonomy within the framework of the national government.

It was on this point that I raised some concerns. I mentioned that during his lifetime, former MILF chair Hashim Salamat laid out clearly his position on the issue of independence. According to Salamat, the objective of the MILF is to establish a truly Islamic government in a Bangsamoro homeland. The configuration of the geographical territory of the new state may be subject to negotiation. But what is nonnegotiable is the setting up of an independent Bangsamoro in this homeland. He also believed that the renewal of Moro society and its transformation must be deeply rooted in Islamic principles and values.

It may now suit the present MILF leadership to change positions on the issue of independence, and we may get a peace agreement on the basis of the creation of a new autonomous political entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. But this is no guarantee that other groups such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement or the next generation of Moro leaders will find this arrangement acceptable. There is also no clear position on the sensitive and difficult issue of demilitarization and demobilization. After the signing of a peace treaty, we will continue to have 12,000 armed personnel with high-powered firearms roaming around and possibly serving as the nucleus of an armed forces for the new entity.

Leonen sees a peace agreement being signed within the year. The real hard work comes afterwards.

My position remains the same. We must strengthen our Armed Forces and be ready for any unforeseen developments. We continue to negotiate, but it must be from a position of strength. Most important of all, we must not forget Al-Barka.