Bangit-Verzosa Meeting and why the animosity between PMA Classes

For the first time in Philippine history, the Chief of this country's Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) made a "courtesy visit" with his counterpart in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The visit happened today at Camp Crame, shortly after General Delfin Bangit's induction as the fortieth AFP Chief of Staff.

Sources told this writer that the meeting was "cordial" and "serious." Bangit came with all his service commanders, all his mistahs, which many at the PNP directorate viewed as a "show of force."

The meeting between Bangit and PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa lasted for about thirty minutes, with both men sparse in their words.

Verzosa (PMA Class 1976) was appointed by Mrs. Arroyo to succeed General Sonny Razon. He is set to retire by December of this year. However, sources within the PNP says he will soon be replaced by Roberto Rosales, the PNP NCR director, who happens to be the mistah of AFP Chief of Staff Bangit. Bangit and Rosales are members of PMA Class 1978, the favorite class of Mrs. Arroyo who adopted her while she was still a senator.

A week ago, Versoza vowed to protect the Filipino People from forces anti-thetical with democracy. Verzosa said the entire police force will not allow itself to be used for political purposes.

The source said that Bangit criticized Verzosa for uttering such words to which the PNP Chief acted strongly. Verzosa, the source said, advised Bangit to "just do your job."

An AFP source however say that the meeting was not adversarial, although it was really unclear why Bangit went on a visit with his entire entourage in tow. It was the wishes of the higher-ups, says the source, that both men talk things out.

A call, allegedly made by Executive secretary Leandro Mendoza, was received by Verzosa who happens to be very close to the former PNP chief. It was Mendoza who thought of arranging the meeting between Bangit and Verzosa, upon the instigation of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, the source said (although this is unconfirmed).

The meeting, sources say, did not go well as intended. Both men were tip-lipped though, especially Bangit who did not entertain media inquiries about the courtesy visit. 

Sources say the hatred between men, both belonging to different PMA classes, is historic. According to deep sources, it was allegedly some members of PMA Class 1978 who instigated that Russia fund scam which hit the headlines shortly after Verzosa's appointment as PNP chief.

The role played by some members of PMA Class 1978 in that scandal has been blown. Verzosa, sources say, knew that the plan was for him to become another Bobby Lastimoso, who was immediately replaced after figuring into a scandal.

Rosales, a member of PMA Class 1978, was supposed to replace Verzosa. The PNP chief's closeness with the First Gentleman however saved his neck from being completely severed by the Arroyo administration.

The plot failed. It fizzled out after members of Verzosa's directorate submitted themselves to a Senate inquiry.

After the plot failed, Verzosa, sources say, became his own man. Verzosa reportedly minded his own business and distanced himself from the First Gentleman. He, however, preserved his friendship with former PNP Chief Leandro Mendoza who continues to serve Mrs. Arroyo.

That is why this meeting was cold or in fact, lukewarm. Verzosa, sources say, did not forget what Bangit's mistahs did last year. 

EXCLUSIVE: ANDAL AMPATUAN JR TO BE ARRESTED AND TAKEN TO CAMP CRAME

A police source, who requested anonymity, says that one of the possible scenarios being considered right now is for Datu Unday mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan to be arrested inside the compound and to be sent immediately to Camp Crame.

Andal Jr. is to be immediately sent to Camp Crame for processing. This is one of the points negotiated between the Ampatuans and Jesus Dureza, presidential envoy.

Dureza is expected to take the 40 year old Andal Ampatuan Jr, into custody. Dureza is now in Maguindanao. (One source says one of the relatives of Andal Ampatuan thinks of holding Dureza hostage, which I think is unthinkable.)

Both the palace and the Ampatuans agreed that the younger Andal be subjected to investigation. No police or NBI agent was sent to the Ampatuans to serve the warrant of arrest.

Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military has taken over the Maguindanao capitol. Several towns in Maguindanao have also been subjected to military control.

Civilian cafgus or militias within the area have been disarmed.

Police have recovered 57 bodies, mostly mangled beyond recognition, in the shallow grave.

Miriam and the Class Goat

It’s a pity that a professional police officer like former Director Eliseo dela Paz allowed himself to be put under the limelight of shame. I mean, he served for so many years and because of this Euro general scam, he’ll go down as a disgraced officer. Dela Paz was probably asked by his mistahs in PMA Class 76 to take the fall. Poor man.

What was substantial about this Euro General investigation today is the expose if you will, of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. The good senator said that the PNP reportedly has about 650 million pesos in “secret funds” from their PNP Training program. According to Santiago, the allocated salaries of PNP trainees (about 3,500 per annum) are not being given to these trainees and kept by the PNP. By law, the PNP is supposed to take in about 3,500 trainees by January. Yet, they train these cop aspirants without pay for six months before they’re given pay. Ingenious, is’nt?

I commend Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago for this. In the past, I'm not exactly an admirer of the good senator from Iloilo. But, because of her conduct during the past two controversial probes, she regained my respect and I think, most of the people.

She asked relevant questions. She accorded respect to all witnesses and even while receiving none, you maintained exquisite composure. Your acts are presidential material.

To former Director Eliseo dela Paz, I respect you for sacrificing yourself and taking the fall. You are now PMA Class 76’s officially designated goat.

To Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, I take my hat off to you. You have showed that there are still Senators like you who possess tremendous wit, intellectual stamina and bravery. I hate to admit it, but, Madame Senator, you have turned me into one of your admirers. If you plan to take on the presidency, I would surely give my pen for you.

On another dig....

Government, it seems, has been transformed into a big mafia. I mean, syndicates are having their field day in almost all departments of government.

You have a syndicate at the Department of Agriculture, another one reportedly at the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communication, the LTO), Department of Education (those involved in the book scam), Department of Interior and Local Governments (especially within the bureau of the PNP), Department of Finance (Customs), and the BIR (of course).

Syndicates are amassing more than 30 billion pesos a year. That's the estimate of the World Bank and the Commission on Audit. That's the amount lost due to graft and corruption. Just imagine that.

Question---will we still allow this to happen? I remember the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) admonishing motorists from giving alms to these street vagrants. They say, they're part of a syndicate.

Well, with organized syndicates operating within government, which is better--give taxes and at least 30% of it will go to these syndicates inside government? Or those vagrants? I'll chose the poor anytime.

A tamer November?

Those of you who want a 'tamer' Patricio Mangubat, check out this new site http://newphilippines.wordpress.com. I love the design of this site. There are new things there. Also, thanks for all of you for reading my other site http://pinoyobserver.wordpress.com. It already gained quite a strong following. For less than 3 months, the site has grown exponentially. I'll try to research more controversies, though, since most people read the site for non-political things.

Now, going back to business. 

I'm seriously thinking of leaving my beloved country and again, work abroad. For one, I've mistaken that people here are ready for new ideas, especially in business. As it turns out, companies here still run traditional methods, particularly in management. My experience shows me that whenever I work for foreigners who are well-respected and highly knowledgeable in their craft, I also excel.

Now, on national issues.

There are some talks that Verzosa might decide to on voluntary leave. People are talking about Verzosa's wife having some part in the alleged Euro scandal. As I've said, in other countries, such controversies could have forced the Chief of Police to resign. Here, people who committed gaffes always hide behind the cloak of 'the palace trust'. I think the palace realized its mistake, that's why yesterday Anthony Golez, the other half of the palace spokespersons, corrected Dureza's earlier statement on the palace still trusting Verzosa. 

More than this though is the possible implication of this issue with that of the impeachment complaint and Bolante's return. Verzosa might be vulnerable for tempting offers from both sides of the fence; one 'buying" his loyalty; the other, convincing him to jump ship. It's an untenable position. 

One thing is sure though---as day passes, the possibility of Gloria's ouster grows. Everything might appear silent, yet, as they say, silent waters run deep. And the prospect of ouster through impeachment is even not in the cards yet.

General Verzosa to do a General Lastimoso?

Seems that PNP Chief Director General Jesus Verzosa confirmed what I stumbled upon at Chiching about the true nature of the money which Director Eliseo Dela Paz had with him in Moscow. It's not contingency fund. Rather, it's allegedly for the purchase of surveillance equipment. Go check TV Patrol. 

You can find that juicy story here.

One question though--it's interesting to know why these Euro generals swapped their intelligence fund for Euros? I travel a lot. And the normal practice is, you swap your pesos with US dollars. Why Euros? Maybe to buy Vuitton bags? 

Or, maybe the money were actually jueteng money, as what Senator Pimentel alleges and were to be laundered in some bank abroad?

And also....am I seeing a repeat of what happened to former General Roberto Lastimoso? Will we see the resignation of Verzosa, like what Lastimoso did before?

Is this one of the signs before we see a bright morning? Abangan!