Shameless Justification of Patronage Politics in the Maguindanao Massacre by Maligno

Alex Maligno errr Magno strikes again with his bastardized dialectical materialist analysis that is more of den of thieves’ materialism. Rightly so just like any callous opportunist riding the popular sentiments of peoples' outrage and condemnation of the blatant tyranny of the warlord but that is where the buck stops with his intellectually bankrupt reasoning of understanding the “circumstance” and “complexity” of the problem.

He offers an insight what appears to be straight from his behind on what he avers was the reason for the rise of political warlords and build-up of private armies. It is one thing to see the harsh realities of patronage politics and another thing to justify its existence as a necessary evil. A trade off he says on the war of terror (you read that right and not a typo as you will see) due to what he claims as the dire lack of fund to enlarge the army to achieve an effective “superiority” ratio over the separatist and communist insurgency. Manny SD Lopez has this to say on Alex Maligno’s errr Magno’s paid hack analysis:

The analysis offered by Mr. Alex Magno is a standard rationale for legitimizing the organization and application of warlord-centered political culture and their 4G's i.e. guns, goons, gold and greed. The AFP has a total active strength of 113,500 with 131,000 personnel in reserve, while the PNP has an active strength of 113,928. Statistically the AFP-PNP has a personnel superiority ratio of more than 10:1 against the combined armed strengths of the NPA, MILF, remnants of MNLF and the Abu Sayyaff. Moreover, it is better equipped with established superiority in firepower, mobility, communications and logistical support. Being a component of the national government, the AFP-PNP has direct linkages with local government units, the national media and diplomatic channels, that can be utilized for its civil and public relations initiatives.

In this regard, with the present force and resources of the AFP-PNP, it should be more than capable of effectively addressing its constitutional duty of providing internal security and protection for all citizens of the Philippines, given the right leadership, policy direction, organizational culture and motivation. Contrary, to the prognosis of Mr. Alex Magno, the AFP-PNP does not require paramilitary component as force multipliers, composed of less trained, politically-directed and static paramilitary units to address its fundamental duty of ensuring peace and order as maybe be disturbed by insurgency, secessionist and terrorist activities. This was clearly demonstrated during the latter part of the Aquino and Ramos administrations, when the relative armed strengths and incursions of the NPA, MNLF and MILF were dramatically reduced, while the standing national policy to reduce or eliminate paramilitary units in the countryside’s were being implemented. Comprehensive political and economic reforms, an honorable peace process with firm resolve, should lead us to national development and equitable prosperity, and serve as the final solution to our nation's conflicts.

Legitimizing paramilitary forces directed by allied warlords is indeed a socio-political solution readily adopted by unpopular and wayward national regimes. However, the purpose is often to subvert the people's will and effect local political control by fear and intimidation. The rationale of local civilian defense against insurgency is a flimsy excuse and ventilated for the benefit of local warlords and their national patron. As experience dictate, paramilitary organizations are being used as private armies by local politicians for their own vested interests, and against the spirit of our hard won democracy and civil rights. This in turn breeds more dissent that fuels insurgency and lawlessness creating more problems for the state. The strategic role of private armies in effecting local political control is evident nationwide, despite advances in our liberal democratic institutions. Combining the political culture of patronage and corruption, legitimized paramilitary forces under the unfettered control of LGU executives is a temporary solution to political control towards chaos, at the expense of the localities inherent freedoms, democratic rights, and eventually peace and order. The AFP-PNP cannot afford to become mere tools of local tyrants, for a few pieces of silver by scripting its eventual failure.

A professional, well-led, well-trained and highly motivated military and police forces at its present size and resources is more than enough to contain the insurgency and terrorist problems at hand. However, time-honored military tradition of honor, professionalism, courage and discipline above all must be re-ingrained into the mindset of the Filipino soldier and police personnel. A clear-cut national policy and directive to pursue their true mandate as defenders of the constitution and protector of the Filipino people must be reminded, asserted and affirmed. With the foregoing, the Philippine military and police establishment could stand ready and able to wage battles against enemies of the state and win any war for our beloved country and people.

No wonder we are in the muck when kotonglist errr one who considers himself belonging to the fourth estate as a columnist inflicts more insult to his colleagues who are victims of mass murderers unparalleled in barbarity and monstrosity not even seen in war torn Iraq.

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