Angelo Reyes---the man

It was not the end that everyone expected of a man of such caliber as Angelo Reyes. A consistent scholar and achiever, Reyes climbed the ladder of success through sheer hard work, intelligence and patience. 


He was a loving son to a loving mother. He was one of the Motherland's bright and shining morning stars. 


I remember when I was still covering this man at the time of the peak of his military career. Most of those close to him said he was a man of integrity. He was also a man of letters, always reading books and love intelligent conversations. He was a visionary, the kind of man we need in this day and age. 


Some of those who know him described him to be a head-strong individual. If he wants something achieved, he imposes his leadership. He is highly respected by his peers because he excels in what he does. 


When former president Joseph Estrada chose him to be his chief of staff, Reyes was the fittest contender of that post. He earned it. He was loyal to his Commander-in-Chief until, when, several malevolent forces influenced his thinking.


Had General Reyes remained in the sidelines, and just focused on his work as Erap's Chief of Staff, this, probably would not have happened. 


Remember that it was Reyes who broke Erap's heart, but the former Chief Executive pardoned him for that 2001 caper. Since that time, Reyes chose the path least taken by his predecessors, a path that reeks of that dirty world of politics.


Yes, politics. When a professional soldier such as Reyes tread the path least taken, such men eventually reach tragic ends. Generals do not die, they just fade away. For Reyes though, he lived a full life, serving the government of the most vile kind, and leaving that government stained. 


The world would have seen Angelo Reyes in a different light had he chose to retire peacefully after his stint as the military's main man. He would have lived a life of a statesman, unblemished and untarnished by politics.


Yet, because he associated himself with the vilest and the most unpopular administration of all time, Reyes had no choice but to protect himself from the numerous enemies of that administration. His only way out was to continue playing politics, a world which he does not fully understand and a world of differing values, values which differ from his.


When he shot himself in the heart, it was a sign that Reyes probably regretted some of the choices he made in his life. Prior to his death, his family said that he became totally depressed.  And it is expected since Reyes was part of an administration most hated by many and now, with the most number of enemies lurking. When he was fighting those rebels in Mindanao, Reyes at least knows what they are fighting for. In the world that he chose for himself after retirement, Reyes was like an animal trapped at all sides by shadows of unknown enemies. 


Reyes wanted probably to tell the world that he was not the man whom every single one hated. That he was different. That, yes, he probably sinned by closing his eyes and covering his ears and not making any single protest against those who sin around him. Reyes was part of a corrupt and evil system. His sin was he tolerated the corruption and not even lifted a finger to correct it. 


That singular final act of taking his own life redeemed Reyes and released his tormented soul from further damnation. That brave act showed us what kind of man Reyes really was---a principled, professional soldier, a caring man and a loving son of the Motherland. Reyes chose a path least taken by those who damned this nation into perfidy and anarchy. That path, though viewed by many as an option never considered, was, actually the right and true path.


Those who have stained their hands of blood, stolen monies and have caused undue suffering of the people by their very acts during the time of Arroyo--it is time for every single one of you to release your tormented souls from Arroyo's grip. 


Time for you to stand up and reveal your sins before the Filipino People. Those who served the Arroyo administration are all tainted. Cleansed yourselves of all filth by emulating Reyes. I am not saying you also kill yourselves, oh no. 


Cleansed your souls by revealing to the Filipino People, the truth. The truth, they say, would definitely set you free. I still believe that you people, still have some conscience in you. Let than conscience dictate your further actions. Do a Reyes. Reveal your souls before the altar of God and of the People.