Defensive combat

This is Section 2, Article II of the Constitution: "The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations."

Surigao Rep. Prospero Pichay cited this provision to justify his opinion that under the Constitution, US troops may in fact be allowed to engage in combat operations in Sulu against the Abu Sayyaf, a group loosely linked to Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda, a terror network that is deemed an international threat.

Pichay speaks as chairman of the House committee on national defense. Since he is a member of Lakas, can we surmise that he is reflecting the thinking of the administration on the deployment of US combat troops in Mindanao?

The deployment in Sulu is significant not necessarily because it will allow American forces to mop up what’s left of the Abu Sayyaf, now just a ragtag band of ruffians fighting for survival, but because it will allow the deployment of US battleships in the sea lanes shared by the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. That’s the area of operation of Jemaah Islamiyah, whose Islamic extremism could threaten American interests and go beyond Southeast Asia.

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Yesterday a report from Honolulu said Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, who is scheduled to meet with his US counterpart Donald Rumsfeld in Washington, had laid down three conditions for Balikatan 03-1: No "offensive combat operations" for GIs in Sulu, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will take the lead role, and the operations must not violate Philippine laws.

If the Americans are banned from "offensive" combat, can they engage in "defensive" combat? Is that like walking backward while shooting Abus? Who’s to say what’s offensive and defensive in the battlefield?

Oh well, let’s wait for the final terms of reference for this next Balikatan. I’m pretty sure the new TOR will be the same as the one for the war games last year in Basilan, which means there will be no combat for GIs — at least in writing.

The Pentagon spokesman, by the way, was identified as Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Davis. Would that be the same "Colonel Davis" who told Pentagon reporters that American soldiers were being deployed here for combat operations? If he got his facts mixed up about the combat role, that was one big blooper and he has no business being spokesman for the US Defense Department.

The speculation is that Colonel Davis the blabbermouth knew exactly what he was talking about, that President Arroyo sent the message that there would be some kind of combat role for US soldiers when they are deployed in Sulu. The conversation must have been something like the one she had with Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez, shortly before he voluntarily left for the United States without a passport. MJ, as talkative as the mysterious Colonel Davis, blabbed to the press one tantalizing detail about his phone conversation with the President: she had let on that Hernando Perez was on the way out as secretary of justice. The President denied it — not very convincingly — but later let go of Perez.

Before the combat operations can start, however, some legal framework is needed. The President’s chief legal counsel Avelino Cruz must be scrounging for something to latch on to in the Constitution. You can always find something in that piece of work, if you look hard enough. Even Angie Reyes found justification in the Constitution for abandoning Joseph Estrada in 2001 and defecting to the EDSA Dos forces. By coincidence, the constitutional provision Reyes cited was Section 3 of Article II — the same Declaration of Principles and State Policies that Pichay is invoking.

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WHAT ABOUT KIM? There goes the guy with the big hair again, trying to draw Washington’s attention away from Saddam Hussein. North Korea test-fired a missile over the Sea of Japan as South Korea inaugurated its new president Roh Moo-hyun yesterday. Pyongyang also warned it would start developing nuclear weapons. Asia jumped but Washington shrugged off the threat.

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WHERE WERE THE PEOPLE? Our reporters and photographers who covered the people power I anniversary celebrations yesterday told us there were more journalists and anti-riot cops than participants at the EDSA Shrine. Police estimated that of about 1,000 people at the ceremony, 600 were cops and 100 were ambulant vendors (dismal sales, they complained).

Has EDSA I been forgotten? Filipinos have notoriously short memories. People are tired of taking to the streets to air grievances. And if after two people power revolts, all we have to show are this administration and the clowns in Congress, who would want to remember EDSA I and II? (And don’t forget EDSA Tres, which was the last straw. After that, the battle cry was to liberate EDSA from the people.) Among those who do remember people power I, many would rather forget it.

Filipinos just want to move on, which can be good. You can stagnate from too much nostalgia for glory days. I think Filipinos did learn their lessons from the events that led to EDSA I; Pinoys are ever vigilant for anything that smacks of a return to strong-arm rule.

But these days people just want to make enough money for a home and a car and a good school for the kids. There are simply too many people and things vying for time and attention: family, friends, school, work, the Internet, DVD, VCD, MP3, VHS, mass media. It’s too hot and polluted out there at EDSA and there’s no toilet. You have a complaint against someone, or you want to malign your enemies, just spread your message by text or e-mail.

People power fatigue doesn’t mean we have forgotten our responsibilities as citizens of this Republic. It simply means we prefer other modes of effecting change. Also, people are sick and tired of many of the characters at EDSA I and II.

Some of those at the EDSA Shrine yesterday openly lamented the poor attendance. There was poignancy in their bitterness. Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin asked: "Is there really nothing left of the revolution except the myth?" And former President Fidel Ramos: "There’s hardly anyone here. Maybe next year, this will be empty. But I will still be here."

Filipinos sent a message yesterday: it’s time to give people power a rest.