Ex-Army Official Sees Military Smear Drive, Violence vs Leftists in Coalition Gov’t

The former head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s Psychological Operations Division sees the possibility of military-orchestrated black propaganda and even violence against so-called leftists should they gain representation in the proposed coalition government to replace the Macapagal-Arroyo regime if the campaign to oust it succeeds.

BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
Bulatlat.com

The former head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Psychological Operations Division sees the possibility of military-orchestrated black propaganda and even violence against so-called leftists should they gain representation in the proposed coalition government to replace the Macapagal-Arroyo regime if the campaign to oust it succeeds. Former Army Capt. Rene Jarque, a West Point graduate who left the military service in 1998 over corruption issues against AFP top brass and now works in Indonesia, expressed this view in an e-mail interview with Bulatlat over the weekend.

Bulatlat asked Jarque, in his present capacity as military reformer and analyst, to comment on the recent statement of an unnamed police official, as quoted in an article in the July 18 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, that the military and police are reluctant to intervene in the campaign to oust President Macapagal-Arroyo in a way that would accelerate her downfall. This is because of the fear that it might lead to the entry of leftists in the proposed coalition government.

A statement from the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM or Revolutionary Nationalist Alliance, a group of military officials and enlisted men involved in coup attempts during the Aquino administration) also said it would “move in” if those calling for Macapagal-Arroyo’s exit from office did not observe “constitutional” processes.

The forces aligned against the Macapagal-Arroyo government, which faces calls for its removal over renewed allegations of fraud in the 2004 election and what cause-oriented groups describe as its “anti-national” and “anti-people” policies, have been seen to gravitate toward the idea of a transition council to replace the present administration.

People’s council

Progressive groups under the banner of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance) have been batting for a People’s Council to be composed of “patriotic and pro-people figures” with a track record of integrity and competence as political leaders, as well as democratic and progressive elements from the opposition parties that play significant roles in the anti-Arroyo campaign.

The People’s Council, according to Bayan, would draft a nationalist-oriented and progressive constitution. After that, it will call for genuine elections.

It would also undertake a number of urgent tasks, including: investigation of the involvement and culpability of Macapagal-Arroyo, Garcillano, military officials, and others involved in poll fraud; implementation of electoral and political reforms; rendering of justice and indemnification to human rights victims; and ensuring the protection of and respect for civil liberties; resumption of peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) through the fulfillment of all existing agreements, solving the fiscal crisis by canceling or repudiating all odious debts; and protecting the country from the ravages of free-market globalization and reversing the disastrous structural adjustment programs imposed by the country’s creditors.

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