Senator Antonio Trillanes as "walkout kid"

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV will perennially be known as the "walkout kid". In all his political life, Trillanes walked out four times. 

The first one, when, after threatening to blow themselves up in a posh residence up Ayala, Trillanes IV led his rag-tag team out of there and into the arms of his supposed enemies--the generals of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. That was his first walk-out, and the public loved it, because everyone was up in arms against the Arroyo regime.

The second walkout was when he again led a bunch of Magdalos out of a Makati courtroom. He then, again, went to a 5-star hotel and holed himself up together with members of the working press and an ageing former Vice President. The scene would have led to a bigger mass action had Trillanes waited for several days more before, he, again, walked out of that hotel and into the arms of an ex SAF NCRPO chief. Again, that "historic" walk-out earned him the public's approbation (The public just loves walkouts). That "walkout" was his third.

Then, this one.

The first three were expressions of disgusts against a discredited regime. This next one, however, is different. Instead of earning the people's nod, this latest walkout exposed who Trillanes really is---to paraphrase JPE, a "coward".

I heard this tag from a friend way back in 2003, when Trillanes IV and his group posturing as "rebels", executed what is now known as "Oakwood mutiny". This guy, who happens to be one of the most idealistic leaders in the armed forces in his time, told me straight forward never to believe in this group because they are all "cowards".

For me, it was a tactical retreat and surely it was. Not so, said my friend. " Had it been our group, we would have holed it up there for a couple of days more. This group does not have the balls", I remember my friend telling me about these "Magdalos". Probably my friend knew more than what I know at that time. 

History has been kind to Trillanes inspite of the numerous political debacles in his career. Like Honasan, Trillanes postured himself as a hero, only to be unmasked as a "fraud", according to Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

In their duel yesterday before millions of Filipino eyes, the public caught Trillanes red in the face as if he's hiding something. It was the first time I saw Trillanes showing some fear. Why was he afraid of JPE? What is he afraid of?

Is he afraid of what he really did in China? Foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario said Trillanes "muddled the issue up" instead of doing good. 

Meanwhile, JPE practically accused Trillanes of being a "traitor", basing his observations on the notes of Philippine ambassador Sonia Brady.

Trillanes met Chinese officials sixteen times. We don't exactly know what he did, but basing on the hints that Enrile gave, Trillanes reportedly gave away the Scarborough shoal.

Trillanes tried to parry the blows of the sharp Senate president, but Enrile's verbal barbs were sharper than a two-edge sword. 

What qualified Trillanes to negotiate for and on behalf of the Philippine government? What are his interests? Why is he so interested in repairing China-RP relations?

Trillanes accused Enrile of being a "war freak", forgetting that in the past, he vowed to "bomb" the Arroyo regime to smithereens.

Really now, I would accept being accused of being a "war freak" instead of being accused of cowardice and of "selling out the sovereignty" of the Philippines.

Was it true that Trillanes really "walked out" of his "nationalist" shell and donned a Mao cap instead? 

That's the fourth walk-out.

Oakwood could have a part three

Defense secretary Teodoro made a categorical remark today. He said that there is no reason for the military to launch another coup or Oakwood again. If something similar happens after the SONA, then, Teodoro surmised, it could be the result of "selfish politicking."

Today marks the anniversary of the Oakwood mutiny. Five years had past and still the reasons for that rebellion exist. Nothing changed except probably the reversal of political and career fortunes of those involved in the failed putsch. Two of the five "Magdalo" leaders have decided to go carve a career out of the service, with one dedicating his life to his

 Christian beliefs while the other decided to go the NGO route. Others, like Senator Antonio Trillianes IV, continues to remain defiant.

However, Teodoro and the military establishment will definitely not admit that there are a considerable number of people who are beginning to entertain thoughts of going the extra-constitutional route. More and more people are lending their expertise and skills to create the vision of Oakwood. These people are being convinced of the viability of armed action against this government because of the government's inability (or inaction) to address the core issues that led to the mutiny. The longer this government tries to sweep the dirt under the palace rug, the more it creates a revolutionary condition.

Many analysts say that if the Oakwood mutiny happened now, it could have succeeded in toppling the government.  Such a revolutionary situation exists more than ever now than before. You have a dissatisfied constituency. Hunger and poverty are widespread and even affecting the lives of the middle class. You have a more militant civil society led by youth groups and you have a church which is starting to get active again in anti-government initiatives.

What's more--you have potential groups that could finance such an enterprise. You have wealthy cacique and landlord families who risk losing their lands if government implements a BJE (Bangsamoro Juridical Entity).

 You have very powerful lobby groups whose fortunes will be affected should an entity administer these Bangsamoro lands. And finally, you have foreign governments that could lend support for a coup given the already strained international relations and image of the Arroyo administration. 

Such a situation exists now and with a weak state being administered now by Arroyo, hawks could exploit this and create a Thai-type of action. A Thai-type action could lead to Arroyo going on exile or worst, incarcerated.

However, what's lacking is an explosive event that would trigger such an uprising. The times are very interesting given that Arroyo is facing a very hostile citizenry. Even if Arroyo and her ilk consider imposing martial rule, such a scenario will just worsen the situation and definitely will fail because both local and international support will definitely be absent. 

Two scenarios--a coup could be launched by forces within the palace or outside of it. If this group within Arroyo moves against her, that could potentially spark violence. However, if an outside group moves against her and neutralize the other group, it could result to a normalization of the situation since this group is much stronger and enjoys a wider base of support.

The New Sparrows

This report " AFP rebels in war vs. drugs: 20 freed Magdalo prove there's life after Oakwood" by Arlyn dela Cruz of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) maybe interpreted by some to be part of government propaganda efforts to dissuade a growing revolutionary movement within the AFP.

On the flipside though, it is refreshing to note that, at last, there is a New Sparrow Group to hit big-time drug dealers here in this country. PDEA Chief and ex-AFP Chief Santiago's decision to "reform" these idealistic men gets my nod. And my utmost respect. I salute you sir!

I say to these Patriots--continue the fight to reform Philippine society by smashing these drug syndicates. Kill them, our young Patriots. Mercy should never be given to these drug dealers and pushers. They are the scums of society. They profit by killing dreams and lives of so many innocent children and Filipinos.

Hit their factories. Hit their bosses. Kill their Chinese connections. But never be a John Campos.

Magdalo should also infiltrate other government agencies and serve as the People's Sparrow Group. I dare say, hit the brokers at the Bureau of Customs. Kill these smugglers who deprive us of billions of pesos worth of taxes.

Search for these big-time rice cartel. Smash their network. Seize their stocks and distribute to the needy and the poor among us. Make their trip to hell faster by the barrels of your guns (which you never fired by the way at Oakwood).

Look for these unscrupulous election officers and government officials who profit from big-time government deals whereever and whoever they are. Ferret them from their hideouts. Seek for them in these exclusive golf clubs and countryclubs. Arrest them. Jail them. If they resist, kill them. These scums know the law of the jungle. Make them pay for making our poor people suffer.

While you're doing this, other Patriots will continue reforming society in the highest levels. The Truth is--we need deeper reforms.

We need to change society through the Oakwood route.

We need to obliterate this mafia group who rules our government with ruthlessness and inhumanity. Yes, there should be Magdalos who must seize the reins of power and establish a government that shall embody the true ideals and values of the Filipino People.