The Fourth Perspective

The military budget that was intended for shore based missile and rocket system was realigned towards deferment per approval of President Aquino based on the recommendation of his military top brass. Accordingly, the said budget that amounts to PHP 6.5 billion will be use instead to procure body armors and helmets. The military had justified the need for those equipments to protect its personnel from the increasing use of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) by the insurgents in Mindanao and elsewhere where the New Peoples Army is currently operating. That decision had caused a stir in the social media that in summary had mirrored frustration and anger particularly among the followers of the AFP modernization. Beyond the action and reaction however, the meaning of the announcement was more telling. The AFP and the current administration, maybe unwittingly,  is telling the Filipino people, China, its allies and the interested world that its political will won't go beyond diplom...

The United States and its allies have been watching with contempt the Chinese activities at the West Philippine Sea or the South China Sea. The wanton reclamation and destruction of marine eco-systems are simultaneous, progressive and unabated. Sooner than soon, those artificial islets will become unsinkable carriers, floating ports and formidable satellite military bases of the people’s navy and air force. The Chinese is not that far in succeeding with their plan to dominate those waters, and eventually they will gain control of everything around, above and beneath them. Theirs was the product of "the vampire bat approach", whereupon the prey is desensitized before siphoning their blood. The strategy has proven itself to be more effective than the Nazi Blitzkrieg. In fact, it was a deliberate, and is a subtle invasion that was effortlessly and gradually executed, yet unopposed and unchallenged. What must follow suit are flight restrictions and naval blockade, and ther...

The peace agreement is flawed ever since it was conducted and completed around but not within the limitations and boundaries provided by law and the Philippine constitution. It was erroneously inspired by the belief that the President’s power is unlimited. The chief of the MILF negotiating panel was perturbed, upon learning the misrepresentation by the executive branch that the latter has total, unbounded and absolute authority to negotiate and consummate the provisions of the agreement and the proposed BBL. A flaw in the part is a flaw in the whole. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is a rebel group whose aim is to secede from the Philippine Republic. It has not acquired belligerent status that otherwise would entitle it to certain rights and recognition likened to that of separate state. Not  even, and before the time that this archaic notion had faded from the international law scenery, Belligerency is an obsolete concept and for quite a  time...

The recent carnage involving 66 or so members of the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and some civilians had demonstrated two very critical revelations; it challenge the sincerity of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and it illuminates ineptitude in the Philippine government. The incident at Mamasapano, Maguindanao and the surrounding circumstances that leads to its occurrence pointed to the undeniable reality that the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) is an Alter-ego of the MILF. One relevant aspect of the MILF/ GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) agreement is the required notification or coordination with the peace panel before conducting military or police operation.  The glaring drawback in this arrangement is the loss of the element of surprise, which is a crucial and an imperative factor towards success. It is a common knowledge in the military and police circle that most of the MILF and BIFF members...

As fast as the time progress is the Chinese advances through reclamations at the West Philippine Sea . Soon basing infrastructure will be completed in the form of naval berthing facility; air station and runways for Chinese fighter jets and surveillance drones;  for radars that would enhanced coverage and weapons guidance; launching pads for surface to air or surface to surface missiles;  logistical support facility, such as pier, warehouse and bunkers; convenient staging area for Chinese military and civilian vessels and aircraft, that would enable a sustain operation ever than before, hence, affording the luxury of perpetual presence. It was reported that the reclamations are situated at a distance of 160-180 kilometers from the nearest Philippine coast, which is roughly equivalent to the distance of Pangasinan to Manila .  These developments clearly erodes the Philippine’s geographical and military advanta...

The pursuit of material gain had preoccupied the human mind since the emergence of industry. It diverted man away from the real source of satisfaction and the true meaning of contentment. It blurred his mind on matters of real importance and genuine values. It had robbed him of the time for independent thoughts beyond what the mass media and his corporate masters had led him to think. Gain has become his purpose, the rationale for his existence and the end which he wishes to reach at all cost. But there is no omega in the pursuit of material gain. It will always be beyond grasp, like time it moves constantly and farther, like space it changes to become wider, and like the sun   it shines even brighter to lure him to exert more, to sacrifice more and to want more. It was instilled in his spirit that material gain is the key to happiness, and to persist towards its acquisition is a worthy purpose. It has become a habit and obsession and therefore, not necessarily in his nature a...

Altercating without end on legal trivialities and processes, even in the way it was express and punctuated; Defending personalities instead of the act; Convicting less of the strong, and more of the weak; Reckless prosecution and defending at all expense, while disinterested on the prospect of guilt or innocence, more so to its outcome which at worse, could result to institutionalizing perilous precedence; The open-ended arguments over technicalities, that bears no meaning when contrasted with what is just and equitable; Prime in value is to be recognize as a bona-fide champion of acquittal or conviction, but not so much of justice. Such are the realities that bears on legal representations of which has become impersonal, even remorseless on the prolongation of anguish and pain, while capitalizing on the same. Thus, as in dead winter, legal advocacy turned cold and predatory. Gone is the human side even before it was acquired. Men are punished even before they are co...