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

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.

“If the democratic coalition government that is the version of the Left becomes imminent, the AFP and PNP would move to save democracy,” the police official said.

“I do not see as a danger for democracy if the Left is part of a coalition government,” Jarque said when asked if he considers the possibility of Left representation in a transition council as a threat to democracy. “I see it more as a danger to the generals and the present irresponsible and corrupt ruling elite. Rather, I think it will enhance democracy that other political elements are allowed to participate. Isn't that what democracy is all about?  And what have the ‘non-Left’ done to make this country and our people’s lives better? Perhaps, in the failure of government as we see today, it is time to look at alternative models of governance, including those involving the progressive elements of the military and the Left.”

Possible military/police maneuvers

But according to Jarque, those in the military and police top brass do not usually think this way, and he sees the possibility that they would undertake actions to prevent the Left from becoming part of any government even before it could gain a foothold in a coalition government.

“The generals may be corrupt but they are not stupid. They are aware of the risks and dangers to them if the Left is in government,” he pointed out. “Military/police intelligence and psy-ops operators may carry out actions to discredit and undermine the Left in the coalition government. In unyielding cases, threats, salvaging and neutralization activities can be resorted to.”  

Jose Maria Sison, chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and also a former professor of social sciences, sees a similar possibility. In an e-mailed reply to questions sent by Bulatlat, Sison said that a new regime “may be stupid and cruel enough” to unleash violence against the legal forces of the Left and further inflame the armed revolution of the people for national liberation and democracy, even as he also sees that it may be “intelligent enough to accommodate the legal forces of the Left and pave the way for more fruitful GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines)-NDFP peace negotiations.”

Jarque meanwhile said that the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are run by generals who were brought up in the martial law period when the Left movements were considered as “enemies of the State.”

“It is not easy to get out of that mindset especially if they fear that a left-leaning government will lead to investigations of human rights abuses and corruption,” Jarque explained. “The status quo is in the generals’ best interest. The generals know that they have skeletons in the closet for which they will be held accountable if a reform-minded government is in power.”

U.S. influence

Jarque also said that it is possible that the U.S. is influencing the thoughts of the country’s military leaders. “Certainly, a government that is pro-U.S. is what the U.S. government wants, especially with the global war on terror,” he said. “It is not inconceivable that a military coup can be staged, a la (Salvador) Allende in Chile, if that will be in their interest.”

Allende was a pro-socialist leader who won the Chilean presidency through elections, and was ousted by a U.S.-backed military coup in 1973. He was killed in the violence that ensued and his family was forced to flee Chile.

Both Jarque and Sison, however, acknowledge the presence of progressive elements within the military and the police. According to Sison, there are “reasonable military and police officers who can be attracted to a patriotic and democratic program of government and to the broad united front against the Arroyo regime and who can be encouraged to uphold civilian supremacy and respect the sovereign will and democratic rights of the Filipino people.”

Jarque said that the younger officers and enlisted men may be more open to a reform-minded government that advocates military reform and good governance. Bulatlat

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