Dear General Lim, Lt. Trillanes,

 

Many of our countrymen are still sleeping and it's really hard to convince them to fight a corrupt and illigitimate government which is so corrupt and full of deception. If you tell the truth about our present situation, they will brand you as a leftist or belonging to a militant group which they have been killing these past few months. The arm forces of the philippines has become the arm forces of the president on which all the benefits are given to them especially to her loyal corrupt generals. Its a shame really to these present crop of young generations witnessing the cheating, lying and stealing of gloria and her cohorts. Their is no more moral values to be instilled with our present crop of young generations coz of what they are witnessing and im sure what's on their mind is, if these people can do it then why can't we do it. Our national heroes like Rizal, Bonifacio and the rest must be grieving right now on what their struggles have turned out to but I guess it's a wake-up call for us who adhere to the rule of law that we can be like them sacrificing our lives to free us from this cancer which is engulping us. I know their are still many principled officers in the military as shown by you sir and we thank you so much for not backing out despite the pressure and torture you're undergoing right now.

Never give up Gen. Lim, Lt.S/G Trillanes coz everything has a purpose and we know that under God's time, this people who enriched themselves with material things and power will be answerable to the Filipino people in the end. Hold on to our God Almighty who's the source of our strength and rest on His peace and I'm sure He will not abandon you for you are fighting for the welfare of the filipino people. Behind each cloud is a silver lining and after the storm comes the rainbow. We will support you all the way sir through our prayers and when the time comes that we have to go to the streets to remove this so corrupt and extension of hell government of gloria, then we will be there supporting you. God keeps His promises and with that assurance we know that the days are being numbered for this people who have tainted our beautiful country - the philippines. More power to you Gen. Lim, Lt.S/G Trillanes and your fellow officers who are right now in detention. God bless you all!

 

NT

I'm sure glad that there're patriots in the military officers corps.  I've always considered the military to be hopelessly corrupt just like any government agency.  It's not only at the top but way down the line.

 

For instance, a study by the Mindanao Business Council has pointed out that 30% of the cost of commodities coming to Davao City from the provinces is due to kotong by military checkpoints along the highways.  It's also common knowledge that smuggling in the southern borders is controlled the military.  Perhaps I should also mention connivance with kidnap for ransom gangs, involvement with illegal logging, arms dealing, and the conversion-to-cash practice of local commanders.  (Army Captain has once tried to sell a 90mm recoilless rifle with four projectiles sometime in the late 80s.)

 

But just like in other sectors of society, patriots in the military seem to be few.  This is why until now we still have to bear with corrupt politicians and greedy businessmen who through their proxies in the civilian and military bureaucracies rule this country solely for their own selfish interests.  There must be an end to this soon and all patriotic sectors of society, including the military, must come together to make it happen. 

 

The consequence of failure of concerned citizens to unite and do something is too grim to consider.  There're enough lessons for us in history to be worried about the outcome of our current national situation.  We have a country with more than adequate natural endowments but only a few can earn their keep and the vast majority are struggling and barely able to survive.  Clearly this is a recipe for national upheaval.

 

But armed rebellion, whether from the CPP, AFP, or any other formation isn't a solution.  Again, we should learn from the lessons of history.  Armed rebellion is a prescription worse than the sickness.

 

I'm not implying though that we can't have a rebellion.  But it has to be peaceful, just like EDSA 1&2.  The people decides when it's time to shake the top and the military follows with a withdrawal of support.  It's a tried and tested method and we should stick to it.  It allows for radical change while avoiding the usual consequences of a typical armed rebellion. 

 

The military must always be behind the people, like our classic EDSAs, and not ahead of it during and after a rebellion.  Further again, we must remind ourselves that history has been unkind to military rule.  A civilian government must rule after a rebellion with the military returning to their normal duties.

 

Others might say that EDSA 1&2 haven't brought about meaningful change.  I agree.  So this is what we need to work on.  The next EDSA must've a clear agenda for competent national leadership and meaningful social change.  Otherwise, there's no sense to it and the people isn't going to support it anyway.  Nothing can ever happen without the people deciding that it must.

 

This brings me to 24 February 2006.  The attempted rebellion would've been a catastrophe for the country.  Imagine a rebellion with the elite, trapos, military, communists, and civil society groups participating!  Had it succeeded, the immediate outcome would've been a fratricidal war among the actors.  No wonder the people hasn't gone out to support it.  It speaks clearly of the maturity of the Filipino people since the past two EDSAs.

 

So here're my suggestions to the patriotic military who wish to contribute to peacefully changing things in this country.  The aim is to contribute to building popular support for EDSA 3.   You can begin by expanding your tribe as quickly as you can.  But stay in the background.  The people isn't going to support anything with overt military involvement.  The memories of martial law is still too strong.

 

Purge your ranks of opportunists like Gringo Honasan.  (Trucks owned by his son have been apprehended transporting illegally cut logs here in Mindanao.)  Domingo Calajate has been right in supporting Danny Lim over Gringo for leadership of RAM.  Domingo Calajate knows his old comrade too well.  Gringo may be popular in some sectors of the military with the myth that he's created for himself.  But the people knows him better.  He has been dumped from the Senate remember?

 

Choose your friends.  Don't deal with the traditional elite, trapos, and communists.  They're stuck with their selfish agenda and Jurassic ideology.  Talk instead with mainstream progressive political formations and civil society groups.  Ask them to take the lead and to also disengage from the traditional elite, trapos, and communists.

 

The envisioned broad coalition isn't gonna work.  The traditional elite, trapos and communists are inflexible with their agenda.  More importantly, the people also isn't going to support anything that includes the participation of these arrogant rogues of society.

 

Ask these progressive political formations and civil society groups to clarify a post-EDSA 3 program of government and leadership, for the transition period and for the long-term.  By the way, this program must've a Mindanao agenda.  We just might see the creation of an independent Mindanao should we be taken for granted again.  We here in Mindanao are really fed up with Metro Manila imperialism. 

 

Transition must be short, no more than one year.  It must be  also capped with a democratic election.  The people won't continue to support an unelected transition government for an extended period.  We're also inviting trouble from countless unforeseen and uncontrollable factors inherent in an unstable revolutionary situation.

 

Furthermore, ask these progressive political formations and civil society groups to be more competent in selling their agenda to the people, particularly, the middle-class.  They've a problem with antiquated advocacy methods.  The people's support is indispensable.  Once they've the numbers, go for EDSA 3.

 

As the people gathers, withdraw support from the incumbent leadership.  Then return to your normal duties and support the new leadership in implementing its reform agenda.  With God's grace that the agenda works, all forms of rebellion will finally end in this country and we can all live in peace and prosperity.

 

It's not going to be easy though as we wallow through the dynamics of democratic reforms.  But with serious asset reform, pluralistic and decentralized political institutions, and an ethical government, the people is going to be patient.  What pisses the people off is the perception of a government that's inclusive, insensitive and corrupt.

 

Finally, don't try anymore coup d'etat.  The people isn't going to support you.  You're going to end up an enemy of the people.  As I've mentioned, the memories of martial law are still too strong.  Democracy has also taken root in the Filipino psyche. 

 

For some of you who've already been in the military during martial law, you know how it is when the people is against you.    The mighty US Army has also learned this lesson in Vietnam the hard way.  Only the CPP is going to benefit from military rule.

 

Once again, I wish to express my support for a patriotic military committed to revolutionary but peaceful democratic reforms in this hapless country of ours that's now being ravaged by poverty and senseless violence.

 

Regards,

 

To Gen Danny Lim, Col. Ariel Querubin;

 

    I feel that you are fighting for a good cause but we now have a corrupt culture and it would take some time before morals and good intentions can be seen by most of our countrymen.

good Luck and May God bless you for what you are doing.

 

MBC

I once had aimed to become an officer of the armed forces, at the height of Edsa revolution, I am already a tactical officer of the CCP ROTC under Col Romulo Gorospe, I am full of energy and vitality then, I admired a lot you guys from the PMA, then from our own knowledge is the source and strength of the republic. The foundation and breeding ground of an officer and a gentleman. Until now, I didn't  loose hope and aspiration to the very institution of courage, loyalty, bravery and faith to defend the people of this republic. As long as this institution can produce one trillanes in every batch of pmaer's and 2 danilo lim and Querubin in every heirarchy, one captain Faeldon in every race. I believe there is still hope. I am now an OFW, my dream  has long gone, but I didn't stop dreaming that someday, one of my son will step his foot at the PMA to become and officer like you people, who set aside personal interest for the people.

 

Probationary 2nd lieutenant RR Phil. Army

Sana tapusin na ninyo ang paghihirap naming mga Pilipino sa kamay nang MAGNANAKAW, SINUGANLING, WALANGHIYA, MANDARAYA,

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

GMA -makapal ang mukha

Magandang araw sa inyo, sa lahat ng bumubuo sa website ninyo.

 

Sa ganang akin, ako ay natutuwa sa pinapakita nyo na kahit anong hadlang ng gobyerno na busalan kayo ay gumagawa kayo ng paraan para maipahayag ang inyong mga damdamin. Kami man ay nakikiisa sa inyong pinaglalaban.

 

Kami bilang mga ordinaryong tao ay nalilito dahil hindi na namin alam kung sino ba talaga ang tunay na tagapagtanggol ng bayan or namin. Kung sino pa ang inaasahan namin na magtatanggol ay sya pa nagungunang yumuyurak sa aming karapatan. Ang tanging kakampi namin na alam namin na totoo ay ang DIYOS. Ang tanging hangarin lang namin ay katahimikan ng bayan, katarungan sa mga naaapi at makita namin ang tunay na katotohanan.

 

Alam ko yan din ang hangad nyo. Sana hindi kayo matulad sa mga bumaliktad na sundalo na pagkatapos busalan ng pera ng gobyerno ay ipinagkanulo na rin nya ang kanyang kasamahan. Sana hindi kayo masilaw sa pera. Sana magkaroon na nga ng TOTOONG TAGAPAGTANGGOL ang mamayang pilipino.

 

 MABUHAY KAYO

first, i would like to comment your group for selfleshly offering our people with the much-needed venue of information that might be of use in their own decision-making process relative to the raging issues in our land.

 

i am a government staff. however, i am at present at a loss of whether to serve this illegitimate government or resign from the service. i cannot in conscience serve an administration that robbed our people of their sacred and constitutional right to choose and support their leaders whom they trusted to bring them relief from their present socio-economic and political woes.

 

honestly, i am not the person that love and trust the military. you know we were the victims of the Marcos military before and we were pretty-much happy when the AFP after the so-called EDSA revolution vowed to be the "soldier of the Filipino". Unfortunately, this went awry when power-hungry politicians began corrupting the entire armed forces.

 

decades after, our view of the military somehow changed when you and the other nationalist elements of the AFP openly challenged this corrupt GMA administration and sided with the people. Gen. Lim, Trillanes and others even went to the point of sacrificing their lives and professional carreers for our people.

 

to the nationalist elements of the AFP: our support and prayers.

 

RG

I became good friends with Danny during our detention from 1990-1992 after the 1989 coup. One of the very few I have and respect.

God bless and secure your families and you always.

 

Capt. CM, PAF (ret)

To: Gen. Lim, LT. Trillanes, Maj. Jason Aquino, Capt. Faeldon, and other detained soldiers,

 

We support you all the way. Do not lose hope I am sure God  will choose the right time for us Filipino people to have a better governemnt. We salute your courage and commitment to be the true soldiers of the Filipino people.Mabuhay po kayo...