In Mariano’s three-minute video he said soldiers, too, feel what the ordinary people are feeling. “We also suffer the poverty brought about by the continuous price increases of commodities, medicines and food.”
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – Another soldier speaks out against government inaction. Deputy commander Col. Generoso Mariano of Naval Reserve Command whose video has earned numerous hits in the internet last Saturday, July 16, is now being investigated and confined in military barracks. In his video, Mariano said, “We soldiers are humans, too.” He then criticized the government’s lack of response to the people’s needs. Though Mariano did not mention or directly pointed to the Aquino government, Malacañang was quick to say that it was a plot hatched by the former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
But Renato Reyes, Jr., secretary-general of the progressive umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, called on President Aquino not to dismiss the grievances aired by Mariano because these are legitimate concerns.
“It’s just very convenient for Malacañang to simply dismiss the issues raised by Mariano as an Arroyo ploy, without even acknowledging that these are real problems faced by ordinary people. The Palace simply branded Mariano as an Arroyo lackey,” Reyes said.
In a statement, Kilusang Mayo Uno also said Mariano’s statements are based on solid grounds. “When he called on the people not to be fooled by sweet-talking liars and by statistics that run counter to reality, he is making a timely plea for critical thinking among our fellow Filipinos. When he said that the government is incapable of helping the people to escape poverty and death, he is merely expressing the growing sentiment of the Filipino workers and people toward the Aquino government.”
In Mariano’s three-minute video he said soldiers, too, feel what the ordinary people are feeling. “We also suffer the poverty brought about by the continuous price increases of commodities, medicines and food.”
Thus, Mariano said it is their duty to defend the Filipino people. “And if the present government has no intention or is not doing something to save the life of the majority, it is the duty, it is the right of every Filipino including soldiers, to replace the government, I repeat, replace the government.”
However, Mariano never mentioned ousting President Benigno Aquino III himself. But Deputy Presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte alleged that the videotape is a plot backed by Arroyo, a statement she based on what Arroyo and her allies are saying and what Mariano is also saying. In a news article, Valte said, “Just listen (to what they are both saying).
On the other hand, Reyes said it is still debatable if Mariano’s statements could be considered seditious, noting that there was no call made for the violent overthrow of the existing government.
“We do not know and cannot speculate yet on the motive or the circumstances that led to Mariano speaking out. It’s hard to speculate on his organizational affiliation or leanings. It does not speak well of the Aquino government to simply label the incident as an Arroyo ploy instead of responding to the legitimate grievances of worsening poverty, high prices and hunger. It sets a bad precedent for others who are critical of the government’s policies,” Reyes said.
“Valid criticisms should not be reduced as an Arroyo plot against Aquino. That’s just too simplistic. The least they could have done was let Mariano explain why he made such a message,” he added.
News reports cited that Mariano was supposed to retire on his birthday, July 17, as he turned 56. But his retirement process was put on hold because of the videotape. Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay, Philippine Navy spokesman, said his privileges will be put on hold; it will be given to him if he would be proven innocent.
“Instead of just trying to discredit Mariano, the current government should work to address the valid issues he had raised,” said Reyes. “Even critics and analysts have found his first year to be wanting in terms of substantial achievements and reforms.” 
