EDITORIAL – Throw the book at Trillanes

The latest caper of Antonio Trillanes exposed him for what he really is. And those who joined him were similarly exposed for what they really are. And now that they have been so exposed, the full force of the law should be made to bear on them for their deadly foolishness.

Trillanes is a spoiled brat who thinks the world owes him its precious time. He is a megalomaniac who thinks he is God's gift to the Filipino people, a know-it-all who believes he has the answer to every problem this country has, and the only means to solve them.

Yet, for all his bitching, his bravado turned out to be contrived, meant for no other purpose than to earn precious time on television at the expense of a gullible media willing to go for a ride. He is a coward who cannot face the consequences of his misguided actions.

When Trillanes sniffed his first whiff of tear gas and heard the rumble of armored personnel carriers ramming the door of a private property he snatched from its rightful owners, his knees buckled and his spirit wilted. He quickly surrendered.

But when he realized the swiftness of his surrender made him look foolish, he tried to reason that he gave up only to spare innocent lives, as if the Filipino people were so foolish and naive as to actually believe his patronizing excuse.

Where was his concern for innocent lives when he barged into the Peninsula Hotel? Did he really think the government would simply collapse because he and a handful of pathetic and senile personages say so? Did he really think the government would not respond with force?

Trillanes is a former military officer but he does not give a damn about destroying the very country he was sworn to protect. He was elected senator but he does not respect the legal institutions which he as a lawmaker is sworn to strengthen and support.

He has gripes and thinks the world should stop until they are addressed. He pays lip service to the oppressed and deprived but doesn't care if his actions consequently destroy them as well. He doesn't give a damn that others have the right to be secure and live in peace.

Trillanes is a dangerous man and he must be made to pay for the criminal damage he has done. He must be made to pay for the destruction directly caused by his folly, and the indirect losses consequently suffered by the economy. He must pay what he owes civilized society.