Insurgency and the ‘emperor’s new clothes’

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

An article sent by Mar Supnad from Camp Aquino Tarlac City said Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista lauded Monday former Northern Luzon Command head, now Armed Forces of the Philippines Vice Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. “for being able to accomplish the decades-old dream of having all provinces in Regions 1,2, 3 and Cordillera be declared insurgency-free.”

“With General Catapang at the helm of Nolcom, Northern Luzon was declared peaceful and ready for further development. By his leadership and development programs, we have emerged victorious against armed insurgency. His leadership has resulted into the realization that peace is achievable and that peace is necessary for development. With this, much work still lies ahead,” Bautista said during the turn of command rites.

 “Likewise, General Catapang strengthened his command’s capacity to support humanitarian assistance and disaster response. He also forged partnerships and enduring friendships with our stakeholders under the Internal Peace and Security Plan-Bayanihan and helped in the rebuilding of indigenous communities that have been affected by armed conflict,” Bautista added.

Catapang, who was promoted as Vice Chief of Staff of the AFP, was replaced by Major General FelicitoVirgilio Trinidad Jr.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982, Trinidad previously served as commander of the Army 1st Infantry Division.

He was the overall ground commander during the 2013 defense of Zamboanga City against rogue elements of the Moro National Liberation Front.
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We don’t have a beef if military officials pat each other on the back “for a job well done” on many an occasion and get promoted in the process. But to declare that somebody like Catapang had ridden Northern Luzon of insurgency, methinks, is going too far.

Just two weeks ago another encounter between AFP troops and New People’s Army guerillas in Ifugao happened which resulted to the death of an NPA combatant. Every now and then firefights happen between government troops not only in the Cordillera but also other parts of northern Luzon.

Military officials need not delude themselves and declare areas of this Banana Republicas “insurgency-free” when that is not the case. It is like the story of the emperor who was praised often by his lackeys that when they saw him naked in his private quarters, , they complimented him for his “beautiful clothes.”They told him they should hold a parade so people would gawk and be impressed by his new clothes.

As he was waving to the throngs of people in all his naked glory, people were laughing. But being the bigot that he was, he thought they were admiring his “clothes.”
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Fighting insurgency is a serious matter, as many a Leftist says. One cannot be like the emperor basking in one’s “glory” when the reality on the ground like on insurgency needs reality check.

Now the new NolCom chief says he would fight NPA “remnants through development projects in communities where the latter are based so poverty would not be used as reason by rebels to urge residents to join them and fight government.

During turnover rites at Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija on Monday, Maj. Gen. Trinidad Jr. also called on “various stakeholders” in the private sector to support military efforts “in pursuit of a just and lasting peace” in Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordilleras.

Trinidad was overall ground commander during the 2013 defense of Zamboanga City against extremists from the Moro National Liberation Front. “Through our partners, we will collectively build social pressure on what remains of the NPA in this area and other armed groups for them to shun the culture of arms and violence and  instead embrace a culture of peace and development.”

Last January, the AFP declared the entire northern Luzon insurgency-free, with Pampanga becoming the 22nd and final province where the military turned over insurgency operations to the police.

Nolcom said it has declared insurgency-free many provinces under its jurisdiction since 2009: La Union and Nueva Vizcaya in 2009; Apayao, Aurora, Quirino, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Kalinga in 2010; Ilocos Norte and Benguet in 2011; Zambales, Abra and Bataan in 2012; and Batanes, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Cagayan, Ifugao, Bulacan and Mt. Province in 2013.
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Developing   the San Fernando Airport within Poro Point Freeport Zone as international  airport will increase tourism arrivals and more business opportunities  in northern Luzon.

Located in San Fernando City , La Union, it   would   serve as  a gateway to Baguio City  which is  an hour drive  away, as a hub to other  tourist destinations in the Cordilleras, Ed Manda, former  Manila International Airport  manager told Baguio reporters.

The freeport  is very near the countries of Taipei, Hongkong and Vietnam which  are  less than two hours flight while Korea, Japan and Singapore  are  only  four hours away, Manda said.

“Time is very important when you’re traveling; tourists want to reach their destination quickly and without hassle.”

Poro Point Freeport Zone  is managed  by the government under the Bases Conversion  and Development Authority.  The upgrading of the airport has been lined up under the public-private-partnership  program of the government with the funding already secured last year, according to  BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova told another media forum.

Manda is currently the president of Philippine Bamboo Foundation promoting the Bamboo Museum where various bamboo artwork are on exhibit  in  the so called “White House” of Baguio City.

I first met Manda in the early 90’s when he was then a staff member of the then vice president of this corruption-laden country. When his boss later became president, Manda held top jobs like manager of the NAIA and the Laguna Lake Development Authority.

Now he is advocating planting and use of bamboo for environmental and even housing purposes. Life is indeed a mystery and an adventure.An one need not be an “emperor” to enjoy it. As Roger Sinot, my friend and neighbor in this page always says, living a simple life is a lot healthier without the stress that goes with high living.

Indeed, just look at these officials mired in controversy over use of their pork barrel funds. As our neighborhood drunken philosopher always says, “Uray awan kwartak basta haanak nga makulong (Even if I don’t have money as long as I won’t go to jail.)”