If it’s ‘all-out’ war, then let’s fight, not get confused by peace talks

Once again we’re getting a government press release about the President (from Disneyland HK) declaring all-out war against the Communist New People’s Army in the wake of recent NPA sneak-attacks which killed nine soldiers and wounded 13 others. Naturally, this means that peace talks with Joma Sison and the CPP-NDF-NPA have been definitely "suspended."

After a little huffing, puffing and shooting, we can already predict, some jokers in the government and uncivil society, including certain party-list members of Congress whose "pork barrel" funds could be underwriting the rebel movement, will be loudly calling for a resumption of the useless peace talks. Then our soldiers and PNP troopers, to their frustration, will be ordered to stop. From "all-out" war to "all-out talk" is only a matter of the calendar, I’m sorry to suspect.

It’s time we faced reality. Trying to talk "peace" with the CPP-NDF-NPA is a waste of time. (Like the Holy Trinity, that unholy Trio are three-in-one, if you’ll forgive me for the sacrilegious thought). Each time our government tries to negotiate peace with these Red terrorists – the tag fits – it gives the bunch publicity and credibility. They’re able to publicize themselves as equals of the Government, possessing "territory" and a sort of legal personality, when in truth they’re less ideologues today than extortionists, murderers and bandits.

Will they ever agree to peace? Do you think they’re nuts? They’ve got the sweetest racket on earth going. They have no fixed office hours, they get lots of sun and fresh air, they get to swagger around with guns and call themselves revolutionary heroes, while fattening their pockets with cash from "progressive taxes" which they extort from the local population and business (like the unfortunate bus owners, who must pay up otherwise their vehicles get torched).

If it’s true that some members of the House of Representatives are channelling part or most of their P60 million a year "pork barrel" to the guerrillas, then they’re even a rebellion out to overthrow the Government being financed by the Filipino taxpayer. Sanamagan. The most high-profile spokesman of this gang, Ka Roger Rosal is even a radio-TV and print media celebrity.

Why, in short, should the NPA give up this fancy life and settle down to poorly-paid and poorly-regarded humdrum civilian existence?

The only way to deal with the CPP-NDF-NPA is the old Ramon Magsaysay formula: the four F’s, namely Find ‘em, Fool ‘em, Fight ‘em, Finish ‘em! We must, in short, finish them, or else they’ll finish us.

Our thanks to the Norwegians and the peace-brokers of Oslo, their sincere efforts and goodwill are deeply appreciated. But nothing came out of Oslo and their good intentions, despite the earnestness of their motives and the warmth of their snow-bound Scandinavian hearts. Sus, even the two most-recent Nobel Peace Prizes have been disappointing – or, at least, mystifying.

It’s wonderful, of course, that the descendants of the fierce and ruthless Vikings of old are among the foremost preachers of peace. But what we need to combat the NPA and other rebels (who show no mercy themselves) is the ancient Viking way. Those warriors used to go into battle crying out for their supreme Norse god, "Odin," and wade deliriously into the fray. These Vikings transformed into almost invincible killing machines were described as "going the berserkers’ way", which spawned the English expression, going "berserk," which means running amok.

What we must invoke in crushing the NPA rebellion is not the peace of Oslo, but the Hammer of Thor.

In short, we have to unremittingly make war – not love, meaning brotherly love. Only after decisive military victory can anyone begin to discuss peace.

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The silly season continues. In the 1960s a writer named Nino Culotta (a pseudonym) described his fellow Australians in a book entitled, We’re a Weird Mob. A book of the same title might be penned of us Pinoys and Pinays today. The Aussies in recent years have become almost normal. They even conservatively voted to retain Queen Elizabeth II as the Queen of Australia (would they accept Charles and Camilla?) and remain under the monarchy. The movement to transform Australia into a Republic was discarded in that referendum at the ballot box. All the pro-Monarchy campaigners had to do was assert: "You want Australia to become a Republic? Just look at the Republic of the Philippines!" The Republican movement flopped.

To demonstrate their point, there was this strange meeting in the Club Filipino held by "about 300 former military men and civilians" last November 18 declaring the establishment of a Second Malolos Congress and calling for the formation of a revolutionary government to replace the GMA Administration.

The gentlemen who attended what they claimed to be a conference inspired by the Revolutionary Congress convened in Malolos, Bulacan, on September 15, 1898, to draw up a Constitution for a new republic led by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, withdrew their support from the Arroyo government and appointed a Transition Government to be led by another general of the same vintage, retired General Fortunato U. Abat, an ex-Defense Secretary of the FVR administration.

What authority the group had to form a Transition Government is, of course, not apparent. Abat, an Old Soldier who should have faded away, has been noisily condemning the present Government and calling for a revolution for months now – but nobody came. Now that he’s "acting Chief Executive" of a 300-member Transition Government, will he succeed? Susmariosep. Tony Abat was a good fighting soldier in his prime, and his courage is not to be doubted. But his common sense? – well, I leave that to your judgment.

Too many people seem to be eager to save our people, while ironically the people appear indifferent. We’ve got a Transition Government which cannot govern, a "People’s Court" which is not sanctioned by the people, and a stab at "People Power" which didn’t attract any people to its banner. Red flags and false flags are flying in too many places. Just as too many cooks spoil the broth, too many messiahs are trying to save the nation – for themselves.

Then there’s former Social Welfare Secretary (of the Hyatt 10) Dinky Soliman who testified in the Senate that she had misused – at the behest of GMA – government resources and funds under her department for the reelection of GMA. If Ms. Soliman had been coerced by GMA into misusing government money and facilities why didn’t she resign in disgust then? If Dinky believes GMA cheated, why did she continue to serve GMA for more than a year after the ‘"cheating" episode? In fact, when Dinky was being eased out of her SWS position so Vice-President Noli de Castro could take over, didn’t she tearfully beg GMA to retain her, not discard or sideline her? All we know, from what we read, is that Dinky Soliman confessed to wrongdoing through the misuse of government resources during the election campaign. She implicated herself in her bid to implicate GMA. Does her mea culpa exculpate her from the crime?

Those who are so eager to cast the first stone may deserve stoning themselves.

By the way, Mark Jimenez (remember him?) is arriving here this morning – a free man – on a Korean Airlines flight from the USA. He may have a few tales of his own to tell.