In the beginning, it wasn’t an inscrutable issue. There was problem in the organization. No, it wasn’t a riddle but some kind of a rot that has plagued some of its members, regardless of rank. In his time, former President Fidel V. Ramos thought that a moral recovery program would do like a much-needed medicine to cure the ailment.
The generals or other officers didn’t become ministers, although some showed potential, but the program somehow made a perceptible impact on the military and police organizations at the time. Translation: the problem was real, not just a perception.
Of course, the man they oftentimes referred to as “Tabako” would prefer a 20 push-ups penalty as his brand of imposing disciplinary action on erring cops or men in uniform over a suspension, even dismissal, not even the proverbial slap on the wrist. At times, he would verbally rebuke his presidential aides in public when they outdid themselves in securing him. He was a natural politician dressed in a general’s garb. No wonder he became president, although part of it is owed to his stellar role in the historic Edsa People Power Revolution in 1986. Never mind if the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago felt she was cheated in the presidential race against him.
To be fair, the nagging moral issue was there, however, even before he became President. At least a few in the service were already taking note. Even the former Philippine Constabulary that was once under his command was not spared of moral criticisms.
At one time, a general aired his concern. “ They are not the same anymore”, he regretted before then former Pampanga governor Bren Z. Guiao during a lunch encounter, apologizing to another officer for saying so. And then his recollection. “ I know of a former general who was renting a simple apartment when he joined the service,” the general said, “ and still renting the same simple abode when he retired. General Felizardo Tanabe, who once headed Camp Olivas ,told the story proudly and sadly.
Fast forward, two days ago or so, another general is upset that they are being crucified for doing their job, that is, to serve and protect. One word captures his and his organization’s predicament. “Ironically,” the frustrated general said, “ we are being blamed for doing our job”. Or words to that effect. He and other officers are being linked to what has been described as a massive cover up involving P6.7 billion worth of illegal drugs netted in a police operation.
Ironically,the drugs were captured from a ninja cop. The issue of alleged cover up was exposed by no less than Benhur Abalos, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. He smelled something fishy was going based on the pieces of evidence his department has seen. The general admitted some lapses in the operation, but his conscience is clear about the secretary’s expose’.
Abalos has displayed a Ramos-type of approach, for whatever reason, in dealing with policemen of questionable actions. It’s more like a kid’s-glove treatment. Still not a few were rankled in the organization. It’s an approach that has been described as a “novel” one by no less than President Bongbong Marcos.
Under this novel approach, Abalos requested, not ordered, police officers with the rank of colonel to general, to submit their courtesy resignations. Their fate would be left to the discretion of a panel based on whatever evidence ,or the lack of it, on their links to the illegal drug trade. It is not known who and how many have been removed from the service on this basis. Abalos said that by his latest estimate, there could be less than one percent — in fact, less than point zero percent—of bad eggs in the organization.
This latest Abalos expose shows the novel approach was not a complete success, or to put it bluntly, was a failure. Abalos could be the biggest fool this administration has picked for the job, or the right man, even an unlikely hero, that fits the position to a T. There is no other credible conclusion.
Still, you cannot accuse Abalos of being inconsistent. Let it be known that the “novel” approach has been applied in this latest episode. The police officers linked to the alleged cover up were asked, not requested, this time to take a leave of absence. Absent that, they will be suspended. In the meantime, the general in hot water has declared a clear conscience.
Interestingly, the latest episode shows the present administration has taken the wrong position in moving heaven and earth to stop the probe by the International Criminal Court on the alleged crime against humanity committed during the previous administration. The police were the main instrument in implementing the so-called war on drugs. Official and unofficial accounts show the war have cost from 6,000 to 30,000 Filipino lives.
Interestingly, too, those involved in the drug war have made the same declaration: their conscience is clear. Except that, they do not want the ICC to verify their claim. Interestingly as well, or ironically, their allies wholeheartedly agree that the ICC probe should not proceed because the country cannot afford to lose face before the universe at this point. Justice can wait. Politics should go on. Image before truth. Better forget.
But Abalos has upped the ante on the police culpability in the drug war. He has shown the riddle in the police organization that he, fortunately or unfortunately, must solve. On the one hand, His solution might just reaffirm that the ICC probe must be allowed to proceed without delay. On the other hand, his job is on the line.
He could be the best thing that has happened under the Marcos administration. Or could be the opposite. The riddle can be likened to the sword of Damocles. His head or some generals’ at stake.
