Madame, its too late

Despite repeated denials from many government officials that there's no coup, its recent actions took on a totally different tenor. Security at the palace was enhanced, thousands of troops were called from different regions to tighten Camp Aguinaldo, police and security forces were sent to known Erap bailiwicks in Tondo and Payatas and thousands more intel agents were spread into different groups and sections of society to gather information.

And now this.

Dolorfino took over as Marines head, replacing the nincompoop Allaga. Releases say, this is a "promotion" for Allaga and for Dolorfino, who once headed AFP-NCR.

Obviously, GMA hopes to neutralize any moves to recruit the Marines to any destab effort. She sent her trusted general Dolorfino, hoping to counteract anything.

But, its too late.

The Marines have been totally politicized, not by Erap, nor by any group. They were politicized because their gut feel says so. They have been exposed to the realities of Filipino society. They realized that they are being used as pawns in a high game of realpolitik.

And recent events have totally demoralized the ranks.

And it is not the Marines whom GMA should seriously take a second look. Its the entire soldiery. Dissent have seeped into the very core of the organization. She cannot solve the problem by increasing combat pay or by dangling other juicy carrots. For the soldiers, these are just palliatives without any concrete effects on their lives. Besides, soldiers don't believe her anyway. Their experience taking out a loan from the RSBS or any AFP loan institution remains totally horrendous. Their families remain impoverished. They wallow in extreme poverty while their generals and their families enjoy the pamperings of GMA.

Madame Arroyo, its tooo late. Even Dolorfino cannot solve the Marine problem.


Dolorfino takes over as chief of Marines
By James Mananghaya
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Maj. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino took command of the Philippine Marine Corps in a formal ceremony yesterday, replacing Maj. Gen. Nelson Allaga, who was named Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief.

In his speech, Dolorfino said the alleged involvement of Marines in two failed coups had created cracks on the institutional strength and integrity of the Corps.

“If there are still wayward minds out there, I enjoin you my brothers to come home and be true Marines once again,” he said.

“Let us be unified by the ideals enshrined in the Marine oath. Let us be one solid organization, proud of its rich traditions and discipline, bound by strong camaraderie and brotherhood, ever faithful and dedicated in the pursuit of its mission.”

Dolorfino said the Marines should remain apolitical at all times to be able to carry out their mandate.

“Changes in the system can only be made by the people or their duly elected representatives through constitutionally established democratic processes,” he said.

“We are the guardians of our democratic institutions, and shall never be an instrument of its desecration.”

The Marines were put in the middle of controversy after Col. Ariel Querubin, 1st Marine Brigade commander, led troops in a stand-off at their headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig to protest the relief of Maj. Gen. Renato Mirand as Marine commandant.

The two officers, along with Lt. Cols. Custodio Parcon, Achilles Segumalian, Colonels Januario Caringal, Orlando de Leon, Armando Bañez, and Lt. Belinda Ferrer, are now detained.

They and 19 Scout Ranger officers are facing trial for their alleged involvement in destabilization plots against President Arroyo.

Dolorfino also led the mustering of troops at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City yesterday morning.

He and Armed Forces vice chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Romero inspected the preparedness of troops in Metro Manila to react to any eventuality, particularly the upcoming verdict on ousted President Joseph Estrada and the arrest of communist rebel leader Jose Ma. Sison in the Netherlands.

Dolorfino also inspected the Marine Ready Force and various disaster response units of the Philippine Navy in Fort Bonifacio.

Dolorfino said his command of the Marine Corps would focus on the vigorous pursuit of the “frontline first policy” to allow the prompt delivery of logistical, administrative and other requirements to frontline troops.

“The individual Marine is the most important resource that makes up our units,” he said. “We will make sure that he is properly trained and equipped to enhance his effectiveness and survivability in battle.”

Dolorfino said the retraining and refurbishing program must be carried out under close supervision of Marine headquarters to ensure that battalions are properly trained and equipped for battle.

“I would like also to see decisiveness in the conduct of our operations,” he said. “In every battle, the enemy is meant to be hammered down and annihilated.”