If the name of new Marine commandant, Brig. Gen. Nelson Allaga, sounds familiar to those who have been following the issue of Gloria Arroyo’s rigging of the 2004 elections, it is because he was mentioned last year as one of the two officers who helped Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon carry out the order to make Arroyo win even if she was not voted by the people.
Allaga was named by YOUng in their Aug. 4, 2005 statement as among the officers to be investigated. He was also named by former PNP chief Ramon Montaño as one of the officers whom Habacon gave money to for the Sulu election operation.
Montaño said Allaga, then a colonel and his mistah, Col. Nehemias Pajarito, barred opposition poll watchers from observing the canvassing.
Allaga headed the Third Marine Brigade assigned in the second district of Sulu. Pajarito was in charge of the first district. They were reporting to Habacon, who was then head of the First Infantry Division, Task Force Comet and Task Force Sulu.
In the infamous “Hello Garci” tapes, there were two conversations between Gloria Arroyo and Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano in which she expressed concern over mismatched figures in the election returns and statement of votes. One was on May 29, 2004 where they talked about election results in Panguntaran. Garcillano blamed Habacon: “Kasi sila Gen. Habacon ba, hindi masyadong marunong pa dyan, medyo sila ang umano nun. (It’s Gen. Habacon, they don’t know much.)”
In the June 2, 2004 conversation, Arroyo asked about the canvassing in Basilan. Garcillano again blamed the ineptitude of Habacon and his men and gave as an example the case in Sulu: “Sa Basilan, alam nyo naman ang mga military dun eh hindi masyadong marunong kasi silang gumawa eh. Katulad ho dun sa Sulu, si General Habacon. (You know the military in Basilan doesn’t quite know what to do. Just like Gen. Habacon in Sulu.)”
A PCIJ report by Yvonne Chua said canvassing for Sulu’s first district was done at Notre Dame School, which is right behind Gen. Bautista Camp, the104th Infantry Brigade’s headquarters in Jolo. Canvassing for the second district was done in the Sulu State College near the provincial capital in Jolo. Both places were under heavy military guard.
A former Sulu provincial board member recalled that an Air Force officer walked out of the Sulu State College in disgust over the conduct of the canvassing.
Despite that unflattering assessment of Garcillano as to military officers’ performance in what seemed to be the rigging of election results, the three were promoted after the elections, which was the subject of the YOUng statement. Allaga and Pajarito were both promoted to brigadier general. Habacon is now Southern Command chief.
It was probably in recognition of their contribution to her “victory” over Fernando Poe Jr, (GMA’s 78,429 versus FPJ’s 60,807) despite the fact that in the Namfrel’s 100 percent tally of Sulu’s election returns, Poe led Arroyo 45,740 to 23, 896.
It is significant that Philippine Navy chief Mateo Mayuga headed the fact-finding board on the involvement of military officials in 2004 election fraud. The same Mayuga who designated Allaga as Marines commandant after Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda was relieved in connection with the aborted plan of some members of the military to join the celebration of the 20th anniversary of People Power One last Friday.
Up to now, Mayuga has not come out with the results of his investigation.
It’s not only Habacon, Allaga and Pajarito who have been rewarded. Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, who was mentioned in the “Hello Garci” tapes, is now Army chief.
There were also those who have been punished: Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani, about whom Garcillano complained to Arroyo as uncooperative, was court martialed when he testified before the Senate committee investigating the Hello Garci tapes. Another casualty was Col. Alexander Balutan, who suffered the same fate as Gudani, when he told the Senate that Comelec officials, aided by other top military officials, instructed him to “slacken” security in Lanao del Sur during the election and counting of votes.
During last Friday’s standoff, Allaga said “Hindi kami makikialam sa pulitika.(We will not meddle in politics.)”
Really? Tell that to the Marines.
(Allaga’s photo by Manolet Santiago)
Oh brother! What a mess! Geez, the military is and will continue to be in a deeper mess more than ever.
I mean… Ellen, these guys are younger thant the likes of Cimatu, Defensor, Abu, Garcia, etc. Allaga is Class 77 which means he’s not that old and should retire only in 4 or 5 years! With commanders in that age group, you can just imagine how deeply corruption has sifted through the military – down to the much younger generation!
How could you hope for a reformed military when corruption has tainted the likes of the young (Allaga’s and younger) generation!
Whew! What a mess.
You need no less than a French revolution!
Welcome back Ellen. See what happens when you go on vacation. The palace declares a state of emergency!
Re Allaga’s comment about politics. I found myself sneering at it too. But then I realized it’s actually a very impt and telling thing. Because even tho at that point he was referring to the Opposition politicians that responded to querubin’s earlier call for help, it is an indirect confirmation of what they were arguing about with querubin–the prostitution of the military to partisan political purposes. I think this suggests that that is indeed the touchy issue with the rank and file. Those who were deployed under Allaga during the elections know about the cheating in which they were indeed used. Before the standoff was resolved Querubin shouted out, “We just wanted a clean election!” We are seeing the mere tip of the iceberg of internal conflict that must have torn this unit to pieces arguing about the morality of what they were doing. I pity the soldiers caught in the horns of a dilemma.
Spot on DJB! Yep, They must have been arguing about Querubin’s ‘complaint’ re politics.
When a man joins the Marines and stays on in the Marines, that man becomes an idealist by sheer force of their their sworn duty to country embodied in their formidable esprit de corps. That the Marines should be used so dastardly to help commit election fraud is beyond the concept of the Marines dogma. It is unfair, unjust and criminal to use the Marines any other member of the professional military for that matter in vile tasks like rigging votes!
(P.S. Heheh — I like DJB’s quip on what happens when Ellen goes on vacation!)
Ellen,
I’ve just read that Arroyo has increased wages of state employees:
“granting a 1,000-peso-increase in monthly salaries of more than one million national government employees, including members of the military and the national police.”
Malaya also reported that “Andaya said Arroyo is not trying to bribe soldiers, policemen and employes into supporting her.”
A US-based fellow cyber activist immediately posted the following very relevant comment:
“Arroyo’s right. It’s not a bribe. It’s a reward. For refusing to mutiny.”
Thanks Ellen for this post, Now I have a better perspective of the marines and the likes of Allaga. Kasama pala siya sa dayaan kung kaya’t ganuon siya ka-sanctimonious sa kaniyang pagsasalita. Tinamaan siya ng magaling! Now I also have a better understanding of the dilemma Querubin found himself it after he learned that his commandant Gen. Miranda was forced to request to be relieved. His new commandant Allaga was using “THE CHAIN OF COMMAND” against him.
Querubin is an idealistic marine who was trained to follow the orders of his immediate superior. His call for civilians to come and protect him was something he cannot back up precisely because he is a marine first before anything else. It was something so unfair to those who immediately responded and went to Fort Bonifacio but were left hanging in the air BY SOMEONE WHO CANNOT GO ALL THE WAY.
I heard Gen. Allaga that night blasting away against the politicians for trying to use them and taking advantage of the the situation that night for their own purpose. I had to laugh, for who was it who made the call by means of media for the people to come and to help them? Did the politicians made the call themselves? Certainly not. It was Querubin and his marines who made the call. So why blame others for their mistake? Who used whom to get what they wanted? The marines went home with something but the politicians went home with NOTHING but an empty smelly bag. So who used whom?
Definitely, last night, it was the marines who used the politicians to solve their problem and to get what they want.
It’s disgusting how even the “professionals” can be corrupted and stand up to what they’re doing as something that is alright because it’s done in the “chain of command”.
Foolish Lagdameo thinks the Church can convince China to let them in and convert a billion pagans to Christianity…i find this theory an excellent hypothesis as to what really motivates the Bishops nowadays..preservation of their piece of the pie. The Catholic Taliban has failed the people. Cardinal Sin really is dead. I miss him grievously. He would be less confused than the current flock of sheep herders. Like the Supreme court they are playing the same Cat-and-mouse game that John Nery says the Supreme Court and the Palace are conducting.
It is very sad that some military men have allowed themselves to be prostituted by Gloria Arroyo. Anything that Gloria touches turns into evil. Ganyan kalupit ang kamandag ni GMA. The Marines is the most gallant component of the AFP. And the upright professional ranks will not allow themselves to be tainted with lying, cheating and stealing of their superiors.
It is high time that we know what is in the Mayuga report. What’s taking the AFP so long to reveal the content of it? Are they trying to make a sanitized version before making it known?
On Catholic Church
GMA’s choice is between Freethinking Catholic and Conservative in the world stage. While calibrated corruption(i.e., bribery, reward) in the homefront.
Does Pinoy Katoliko really understand what Freethinker is all about?
Ellen, Does anyone know what is the relationship between General Gudani, Renato Miranda, Gen. Danilo Lim and Col Ariel Querubin? Did they all serve together in Mindanao during the elections?
Maybe we should lock ’em all up in chain!
A chain has rusted in some of its major parts. Either we replace these parts or replace the whole thing outright!
Rizalist, I don’t think the officers mentioned served together in Mindanao.
Sen. Biazon told me last night that Allaga’s designation as Marine commandant adds to the disgust of reform-minded soldiers. He said Allaga’s involvement in the 2004 election operations of Arroyo/Garcillano/Habacon is well-known.
Thanks Ellen, btw, check out what lies are being spread all over the world now:
http://story.philippinetimes.com/p.x/ct/9/id/216e3d432538a507/cid/0267775d6f1c3971/
Rizalist,
The link can’t be accessed anymore….
please give the gist when you have the time…
PS
Tried to access the American blog site you once linked but my comments were not welcomed as well.
Miss Ellen,
Ellen na nga lang…I second the motion on DJB’s quip that magkaka state of emergency pag wala ka
nandito ka na nagbigay na ng 72 hour evaluation period…
Nelly Sindayen? What’s the story?
Ellen,
I just noticed a disturbing feature in the scheme of things related to SOE:
The first foreign government to applaud Gloria and gave her official government backing right after her proclamation of State of Emergency was SPAIN which was coursed through the Spanish Embassy in Manila and announced by DFA Sec Romulo to the press accordingly on INQ7 25 Feb 06.
Now, lo and behold! Here’s a news report which is probably found in the inside pages of the Inquirer but is on the net: Spanish chamber wants no legal limit on foreign ownership
Posted: 8:01 AM | Mar. 01, 2006
http://money.inq7.net/breakingnews/view_breakingnews.php?yyyy=2006&mon=03&dd=01&file=5
I am not against foreign ownership of property but I find the plan with on one hand a beleaguered Gloria in the backdrop and on the other a lapdog Congress – the scheme is totally bizarre, partly because of the manner in which the ConCom had come up with their ammendments to the constitution and my lack of trust in the people behind them.
I just don’t trust Gloria – I think she would do anything to hold on to power even if it means selling parcels of the Consitution to any moneyed and influential BIDDER IN THE WORLD!
Now, what’s going on? Are the Ayalas, Zobels, Aboitiz in fact dealing with Gloria, i.e., “we will support you but you must do something for us too…”
If big business withdraws their support and sneeze in the direction of Gloria, US or no US support, she will go down, so, WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON?
The whole archipelago may demonstrate against Gloria and call for her ouster but if the Ayalas, the Aboitiz, the Zobels, the Tans, the Sys, the Tys are still behind her, she will not go down…
Is there some kind of double dealing going on here?
Growing disenchantment: Vicente T Paterno
Growing disenchantment–Please help circulate:
From: Vicente T. Paterno
Dear All,
Please send on this message to whoever in M-1 and M-2 you think would like to know. Thanks.
To Masicap alumni and friends,
Please know I’ve notified all former ConCom members I dissociated myself from every ConCom affiliation. I now urge you to oppose the government drive for charter change. Reason – ConCom draft Article 20, transitory provisions, would not only retain GMA in office, but install her as Head of Government and Head of State, like Marcos. Enclosed write-up discusses the relevant sections of Article 20.
Best wishes,
Ting Paterno
=====================================================
I have notified members of the former ConCom that I dissociate myself from all ConCom activities and will oppose charter change. For I am now fully convinced that Mrs. Arroyo seeks not only to retain her Presidency but to expand her powers through charter change. Article XX, the ConCom transitory provisions, clearly define the strong motivation for Mrs. Arroyo’s determined efforts to get chacha ratified.
Here enclosed are the texts of Secs. 7, 9, and 11 to 13 of Art. XX. Sec. 7, the NO-EL provision, assure that the *interim* Parliament (2007-2010) will be filled with tried and proven allies, ready to do Pres. GMA’s bidding. The other cited sections, not as widely known, are more disturbing.
In a normal parliamentary system, the head of Government is the Prime Minister. He is elected to that post by his peers, the members of Parliament. Members of the cabinet are MP’s elected by the people. The President’s duties are ceremonial – to open Parliament, dissolve it upon advice of the Prime Minister, greet new ambassadors, be the symbol of national unity as Head of State.
Compare those normal parliament’s features with the provisions in Secs. 9, and 11-13.
– Members of her cabinet will not be elected MP’s but appointed by the President. Per sec. 9, 1/3 of them shall become MP’s by her appointment. 30 other persons shall also be appointed MP’s by the President.
– The interim Parliament will elect an interim Prime Minister. But Sec 11 says he will not be the head of government but just a cabinet member. Sec. 12 makes clear he is a mere cabinet member, for the interim prime minister and the cabinet shall function “under the direction and
supervision of the incumbent President ”
– Sec. 13 states that “in the interim Parliament, *the incumbent President shall exercise the powers vested in the Head of State and the Head of government* under this Constitution”.
In my interpellation to oppose these provisions in ConCom, I asked if these were not the same powers that Marcos gave himself. Spontaneous answer by sponsor of the provision Raul Lambino – YES.
Secs. 9 and 11-13 should by now have been opposed by Congress, for downgrading the interim Parliament.. But they have not. Developments leave me no doubt GMA herself is pushing these provisions. In a new body to promote chacha, the co-chairs – Attys. Romela Bengzon and Raul Lambino – were main sponsors in ConCom of these onerous sections. The appointment of Cong Puno to DILG, given his well known dagdag bawas and other election distorting skills, further confirms to us that GMA will leave no stone unturned for chacha and Article XX to be ratified by any means.
Vicente T. Paterno
21 February 2006
AdB’s NOTE: The other Transitory Provisions in question are found by clicking on
http://hillblogger.blogspot.com/2006/03/growing-disenchantment-vicente-t.html
Ellen,
Just wish to correct the petition address/link in an earlier posting:
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/timetogo
Thanks a lot.
Ellen,
A letter I just received this instant from Tita O, a well-off European-based Pinay and born into a Philippine upper middle class who spends a great part of the year in the Philippines.
“I am so happy to hear that you found it Anna, thanks a lot.
“You know I am saddened by the impression I got tonight from some returning retiring Fil-American friends as well as some well established local Filipino friends. They do not seem to care about what she did, her cheating, the funds that disappeared before elections, the scandals of her husband and his role in jueteng, bribing, corruption, etc. etc…..just as long as the country moves forward, never mind about the continuing misdeeds, etc.. never mind about all the moneys that disappeared before the elections…what happened and what do we do about such mentality in people who used to be correct and above board in their integrity?
“People I used to know who were highly moral people have changed suddenly, everything is acceptable to them now just as long as they can go on with their lives and with their lucrative businesses, etc. etc. even people I know who were highly moral and who are in government now seem to have changed. What happened to friends I used to admire? The excuse is always, who will replace her?
“Returning OFWs and some young Filipinos who are trying very much to survive with their own businesses tell me they can hardly survive, it is very very difficult, almost impossible to survive in the Philippines, pretty soon, these people will leave.
“Why don’t we OFWs make or even demand for the opposition to come up with somebody credible and capable in their ranks… can’t we do this? Have we really ran out of credible and capable leaders? What do we do about this? Just as I advocated strengthening the OFW Voice, I feel OFWs have to be more decisive in our stand if we are to win this fight. Shouldn’t we buy a whole page and post an open letter addressed to the leadership and the people and use now our leverage for this woman to resign?
“What do you think? I do not know if you agree but being here, I feel that if we wait too long, people will already go along with what this woman is doing, she just bribed the whole government employeedom with her 1000 additional allowance to their salaries I am sure this will change the minds of the people against her….you know how desperate people are…” Tita O
Rizalist, re Time Magazine’s Nelly Sindayen. I talked with her last Monday because Pia Hontiveros wanted to interview her on ANC for her side on the Peping Cojuangco/Boy Saycon meeting that she wrote about (which is being used by the govrnment to justify Proc 1017). She said their lawyer has told her not to talk. so she is making herself unavailable.
What do you think of that story?
I think it was not exactly accurate.I will not judge Nelly on the issue of whether it was right of her to divulge the plan of the reform-minded soldiers to withdraw support as told by Danny Lim to Saycon on the phone (without knowing that Saycon had put the speakerphone on for everybody to hear.).
What I found inaccurate in the Time Magazine story is the description of the Cojuangco gathering as an “opposition meeting”. Since when was Peping Cojuangco part of the opposition? It’s like calling Susan Roces a GMA ally.
Cojuangco is a government official. So is his wife, Tingting. never in my coverage of opposition groups have I seen Peping Cojuangco. No one in the opposition considers Peping one of them.
It was, as Peping Cojuangco said, a gathering for the Edsa One celebration. Not by any stretch of imagination an opposition meeting.
Saycon’s call to Danny Lim ang his pagyayabang to Nelly and to others of his deep connection is another thing.
Anna, I’m glad that paterno finally saw Arroyo for what she really is, which we have seen long, long time ago. In the first palce, he should not have lent his name and reputation to that Concom.Better late than never.
“Sa loob at labas ng bayan kong sawi/Kaliluha’y siyang nagsisilbing hari…” Inilalahad ba ni Francisco Balagtas ang Pilipinas ng kaniyang panahon o IBINUBUKAS niya ang ating mga mata SA kalagayan ng PILIPINAS NGAYON?
Ang mahirap e bukas na yata ang mga mata ng buong bansa pero lahat tayo ay walang magawa upang ang LILO sa Palasyo ay mawala. At kung si Mike Defensor pa nga ang paniniwalaan mo “we HAVE a JEWEL IN THE PALACE.” Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Mike D – so young yet so misled… or rather so young yet so misleading.
Allaga, mayuga, esperon, habacon – sundalo ni Arroyo. Hindi sila sundalo ng bayan.