Philippine Army somewhat confused – Who’s loyal and what’s loyalty? 

Listen to article
[atlasvoice]

Published date: 6th Sep 1987, Japan Times

View PDF

Chaitanya Kalbag

Manila (Reuter-Kyodo) “Who goes there — friend or foe?” 

That traditional challenge has acquired new meaning here after the recent uprising by elite soldiers who helped President Corazon Aquino to power last year, analysts say. 

A senior army officer who did not wish to be identified said the coup bid had proved loyalty to an individual now weighed more than allegiance to the state. 

The Aug. 28 coup attempt pitted rebel Col. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, fiercely loyal to opposition leader and former Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, against armed forces Chief Gen. Fidel Ramos, a staunch Aquino backer. 

“It was touch and go,” said one Western military analyst. He said at one point early in the revolt it was unclear which side many senior officers would take. 

“Just two years ago, during the last months of Ferdinand Marcos’ rule, Ramos had secretly encouraged Honasan’s Reform the Armed Forces Movement,” called RAM, the army officer said. “Last year they united to topple Marcos. So who is whose enemy?” 

In 1985, the officer said, the cause RAM was fighting for – better treatment for rank-and-file soldiers and greater professionalism – had seemed attractive to Marcos’ opponents. 

“Now those same objectives seem diabolical to the same people,” he said. 

Unlike the nearly bloodless February 1986 revolution, the fifth Aquino-era coup attempt sparked the worst street fighting seen in Manila since World War II, leaving 40 dead and more than 270 wounded. 

A senior Defense Department official said Honasan’s revolt held costly lessons for Aquino. 

Foremost was the shocking failure of intelligence, he said. 

Honasan and his rebel troops drove the two hours from Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija province unhindered. They stormed Malacanang Palace, wounding Aquino’s son and killing several bodyguards, then went on to seize two of the largest military camps in Manila and a third just north of the capital. 

“There will have to be a rolling of heads,” the defense official said, “and any shakeup in the military hierarchy must begin with Ramos himself.” 

He said Ramos had shown many signs of weak leadership. 

When Aquino dismissed Enrile last November after the young, idealistic RAM officers were linked to an alleged coup plot, Honasan and his closest allies were banished from Manila, the official said. 

Honasan became a combat instructor at Fort Magsaysay, headquarters of the elite First Infantry Division, which is meant to lead Philippine defense in times of war. “If that kind of unit turns traitor, then what’s left?” the official said. 

Another RAM leader, Col. Eduardo Kapunan, was sent as a tactical instructor to the Philippine Military Academy, where about 830 cadets staged a hunger strike to support the coup attempt. 

In January, Ramos held back from storming a Manila television station held by about 300 rebel soldiers after an all-night shouting match with RAM officers who threatened to revolt if force was used, the defense official said. 

“I think it is vital that the government understands the growing public perception that there is both a lack of cohesive direction and leadership in the military,” said Ricardo Romulo, chairman of the Makati Business Club. 

One Western military attache said that Ramos’ ruthless crushing of the latest coup bid would only increase dislike for him within the military. 

“Aquino may feel she needs to replace him to help reunify the army, but if she does, the rebels will have won,” he said.. 

Francisco Nemenzo, professor of political science at the University of the Philippines, was blunt in his assessment. 

“Let us not look at the military as a monolith,” he said. “Bear in mind that they are fragmented, with several unofficial chains of command. Now the best officers are hunted as rebels.” 

The defense official said Marcos had pampered the officer corps, securing their backing for his authoritarian rule, but had ended up sowing dissension in the ranks. 

“Where else in the world. will you find a golf course in every military camp?” he said. 

Nemenzo said Aquino could no longer afford to be complacent. 

“The government seemed to believe that just because we have a new constitution and Congress we’ll live happily ever after,” he said. “That is a naive, legalistic view of reality. Aquino must not forget that in the short run, the only alternative to her is military rule. Do we want that?” 

Share this story
fb-share-icon
Tweet

19 Comments

  1. [4030]999jili: Best Philippines Online Slot & Casino. Fast 999jili Login, Register & App Download. Experience the best of Philippines gaming at 999jili! Get fast 999jili login, easy 999jili register, and a seamless 999jili app download. Play premium 999jili slot games and enjoy a secure 999jili casino login for top-tier rewards today. visit: 999jili

  2. [6201]phdream88 Online Casino: Secure phdream88 Login & Register for the Best Slot Games and App Download in the Philippines. Experience the best phdream88 slot games at phdream88 Online Casino. Secure phdream88 login, easy phdream88 register, and fast phdream88 app download in the Philippines. visit: phdream88

  3. [3960]Cardtime Philippines: Official Cardtime Login, Register & App Download for Premium Casino Slots & Online Gaming. Experience the best of Cardtime Philippines! Use your Cardtime login or register now to play premium Cardtime slots. Get the official Cardtime app download and enjoy a secure Cardtime casino login for top-tier online gaming today. visit: cardtime

  4. [7237]Paldobet Login & Register: Best Online Slots and Casino in the Philippines. Download the Paldobet App for Quick Casino Login and Big Wins! Experience the best online slots and casino in the Philippines at Paldobet! Secure your Paldobet login or complete your Paldobet register today. Get the Paldobet app download for a seamless Paldobet casino login experience and start winning big with Paldobet online slots! visit: paldobet

  5. [8754]jljl333: Best Online Casino in Philippines. Quick Login, Easy Register, and App Download for Premium Slots. Join jljl333, the best online casino in the Philippines. Quick jljl333 login & register to play premium jljl333 slots. Download the jljl333 app now for the ultimate casino experience! visit: jljl333

  6. [2533]N777 Online Casino Philippines: N777 Login, Register & App Download for the Best Slot Games Join N777 Online Casino Philippines for the ultimate gaming experience! Access your n777 login, complete your n777 register, and play the best n777 slot games. Secure your n777 app download today and start winning at the top n777 online casino in the PH! visit: n777

  7. [8998]PHCASH11: Premier Online Casino Philippines – Easy Login, Fast Register, App Download & Top Slot Games Experience PHCASH11, the premier online casino Philippines. Enjoy quick phcash11 login, fast phcash11 register, and top phcash11 slot games. Get the phcash11 app download now for the ultimate gaming experience! visit: phcash11

  8. [9628]bb777: The Philippines’ #1 Legit GCash Online Casino & Best Jili Slots Platform Experience world-class gaming at bb777, the Philippines’ #1 legit GCash online casino. Access the bb777 platform official website for the best online slots Philippines bb777 has to offer, featuring top-rated Jili games and massive jackpots. Secure your bb777 jili slots login today and enjoy seamless transactions on the most trusted bb777 online casino Philippines for a premium and secure gambling experience. visit: bb777

  9. [1853]pesoBet Online Casino Philippines: The Best Online Gambling Site for Real Money Slots, Sports Betting, and Fast GCash Login. Experience pesoBet online casino Philippines, the best online gambling site for real money online slots and sports betting PH. Fast pesoBet GCash casino login! visit: pesoBet

  10. [820]Jilijili: The Best Legit Online Casino Philippines for Real Money GCash Slots Experience premium gaming at Jilijili, recognized as the best legit online casino Philippines for real money. Secure your jilijili gcash login today via the jilijili official website to enjoy a wide variety of online slots Philippines real money with fast payouts. Join the trusted jilijili online casino Philippines community and start winning big with the most reliable GCash-integrated platform in the country. visit: jilijili

  11. [9136]PN777 Philippines: Top Online Slot Casino. Secure PN777 Login, Register, & App Download via Official Link Alternatif. Experience top PN777 slot games in the Philippines! Access secure PN777 login, fast PN777 register, and official PN777 download via our link alternatif. Join and win today! visit: pn777

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Post comment