Saturday, May 2, 2009

RESCUE MISSION, NOTHING BUT A HOLLYWOOD PLOT







Even before it saw print, the alleged rescue mission by Magdalo soldiers trained by former Special Forces members from New Zealand and Australia, I already received a text message about it from a long time police source.

I did not pursue the story not because I do not trust the source, but because judging from the content of the initial information he forwarded to me which he claimed also came from another unit in the law enforcement agency, my first impulse was it's nothing but a product of one's very fertile imagination.

As I was briefed about the full content of the alleged rescue mission, it dawned to me that what I am hearing is nothing but a juicy story plot perfect for a Hollywood movie. Is Jerry Bruckheimmer in town? I wonder...

But alas--the source of the information was revealed, the Office of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) through Executive Director Mariano Villafuerte.

The PAOCC was once a very powerful agency in government under the previous administration of former President Joseph Estrada but since that time, little is known about the undertakings of this office. The truth is, it's a revelation that it's still existing. As far as I can recall, say in the last 4-6 years, this is the only time again that this agency is mentioned in a news paper article.

The reemergence of this agency into public consciousness is highly suspicious. What have they been doing in the last 4-6 years? And why come out only now and with this fantastic tale of destabilization angle pointing to the usual suspects---the Magdalo, senator Antonio Trillanes and Brig. Gen. Danny Lim?

Would any group especially those critical of the present administration gain anything by pulling this alleged rescue mission of Trillanes and Lim from their detention cell inside Camp Crame, home of the headquarters of the Philippine National Police? Certainly none.

And if the scriptwriter of this scenario only cared to observe, the political trend now points to 2010 and the very personalities they want to drag in this latest destabilization scenario are all pinning their hopes on the next elections.

Take it from me---Danny Lim has no plans of bolting out of jail much less expecting to be extricated from where he is now. I speak from the point of view of someone who has known the man behind the principle of doing what is right, what is good and what is just.

If there's one thing that consumes the general these days, it's that period of contemplation and discernment on what is the next big step that would take his love and service of country to the next level.

Even the former president, Erap, the one this specific scenario points as the most likely financier has been doing the rounds, consulting local leaders, feeling the people's pulse so to speak, if he is still that popular among the electorate. If only the plotters of this scenario care to observe, they would realize, why there are practically no believers of this rescue mission they exposed in the media.

Only one former member of Magdalo was among those allegedly training to rescue Lim and Trillanes. And if we care to dig deeper, we would learn that many of the enlisted personnel who were released ahead of the Magdalo officers, have in fact pursued careers as security guards, consultants, the so called mercenaries, in different military camps in Iraq and Afganistan. This, in essence and in reality, is what this is all about, a personal business interest of someone who wanted to control that shooting range in Clark, Pampanga.

From what I gathered, it's actually Villafuerte who should be investigated for using his position in government to go after a rival business interest, a Blackwater-type of security agency providing consultants and personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Villafuerte by the way is the son of Representative Luis Villafuerte, a known ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. I wonder too if this expose of sort pulled by his son has something to do with the mission impossible to push through with charter change in Congress.

But, hey! Did I just say mission impossible? I almost forgot, newly installed representatives, mostly, administration allies, were already sworn into office just the other day. The numbers game here may in fact make that mission impossible---possible and done via fast break.

It seems to me that this father and son tandem have no qualms in using their connections in Malacanang to pursue their respective and very personal agenda.

If the congressman's son thinks he'll simply get away with this strategy disguised as an expose on an alleged destabilization plot, a rescue mission inside the PNP Custodial Center, wait for the counter move, one that will really expose what should be exposed: a senate investigation on the very expose he revealed. I expect no less than an exciting and truly revealing senate inquiry should this one push through. (end)

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