Biting sarcasm from a Marine officer Ramon Tulfo Inquirer
November 14, 2006
WHY is Sen. Panfilo Lacson so defensive about former Erap crony Charlie “Atong” Ang’s supposed disclosures about the Kuratong Baleleng alleged rubout and the disappearance of Edgar Bentain?
He said he was unperturbed by insinuations that he was behind the disappearance of Bentain.
Bentain was a casino employee who supposedly leaked video footage of deposed President Erap and Ang gambling in a local hotel casino in the runup to the 1998 presidential elections.
The fact that he kept defending himself when his name was never mentioned by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez about Ang’s disclosures showed Lacson was really perturbed.
Otherwise, he would have kept quiet and would just wait for accusations to come before coming out with a denial.
A person with a clear conscience doesn’t react to insinuations.
Besides, the public knows that whatever dirt is thrown at people who are probable candidates in the national election next year is political propaganda.
The country is now gripped by election fever. People look at political propaganda as just that: Propaganda. Whether the accusation against any candidate is true or not, it’s still political propaganda.
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Although Marine Lt. Col. Achilles Segumalian was only joking when he said he was offering himself to “cheating operations” in the May 2007 elections, his words were biting because they reflected the sentiments of most of his colleagues.
The hefty Segumalian, now detained along with the best officers of the Philippine Marine Corps for alleged mutiny, made the joke during Tuesday’s celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Marines.
He was actually oozing with sarcasm.
Segumalian, during the Fort Bonifacio standoff, made himself very visible when he told reporters the Marines only wanted “clean and honest elections” during the 2004 polls.
The Marines, along with the Rangers, are the most disciplined group in the Armed Forces. The discipline extends to honesty and integrity. Their motto is proclaimed in loud letters at their headquarters: Karangalan (honor).
I’ve heard of stories about Marine junior officers who humiliated their commanders who absconded with the money of the foot soldiers.
That’s why most of the Corps are mostly sympathetic toward a Marine general and a colonel who exposed the alleged cheating by administration candidates in Lanao during the 2004 elections. The Marines were assigned to guard the balloting in Lanao.
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This is the first time the proud Marines celebrated their anniversary in a somber mood.
They have nothing to be happy about; their best officers are in jail awaiting trial for allegedly taking part in the attempted coup in February. Two of these officers are Medal of Valor awardees. They are probably the recipients of the highest military award still alive; most of the awards were given posthumously.
Their former commandant, Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda—who is a fatherly figure to his subordinates—is also in jail for allegedly taking part in the failed coup. February’s standoff at the Marine headquarters was caused by Miranda’s relief. Miranda is charged with allowing his men to march to Edsa during the celebration of the Edsa I anniversary.
But most Marines will tell you—that is, if you don’t quote them—that Miranda just listened as his subordinates aired their complaints about corruption in government. But he never allowed his men to march to Edsa, the sympathetic subordinates will tell you.
