A GROUP CALLED "BROTHERHOOD"

While we are not looking, this alleged coup plotter finally launched one, a coup but of a "different kind".

Discharged officer Lt. Colonel Oscarlito Mapalo of the Philippine Army accused just last year of plotting to commit a coup d’ etat against the Arroyo Administration has finally gathered enough supporters, numbering to close to a thousand, a potent force on its own enough to give life to the ideals he adheres to as a “rebel” military officer.

Through a new group called the United Brotherhood of Uniformed Personnel Incorporated, Mapalo, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979 was able to finally launch what he considers the biggest crusade of his life as a soldier.

“It’s a coup alright, but of another kind,” explains Mapalo who along with Colonels Ernie Amboy, Cesar dela Peña and police Supt. Rafael Cardeno and lawyer Atty. Homobono Adaza were accused just last year of being the brains behind the plot to topple the government, an accusation where they were eventually arrested and charged in court.

Months has passed since they were released in jail, bail paid, Mapalo and the rest, discharged from the service.

Interestingly, except for Cardeño who is still detained at Camp Crame because another charge, that of allegedly masterminding the killing of Lt. Baron Cervantes, former spokesperson of the Young Officers Union (YOU), Mapalo and the others charged are involved in the organization of this new group called UBUPI simply called BROTHERHOOD.

The group is registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-profit, non-stock, non-government organization--but least he gains the ire of the government again, Mapalo stressed that this is not an anti-government group.

This newly created group has its First Organizational Meeting last May 30 at the Ricarte Hall of the Philippine Army Officers Clubhouse in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig with more than 800 members in attendance mostly retired members of the AFP, the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and other units and agencies attached to the AFP and the PNP to include the Reservists.

A handful of active members of the AFP are also among those in attendance.

Mapalo explained that BROTHERHOOD was organized not to commit any form of rebellion or acts against the government or any institution. He stressed that BROTHERHOOD has one simple and very basic objective: TO TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN. “The fact that we held our First Organizational Meeting inside the premises of the Philippine Army Headquarters is a proof that this group is not out to threaten anyone in power,” Mapalo said.

Taking care of their own according to Mapalo is translated to initiating and coordinating projects and programs that would enhance, preserve and uplift the welfare, dignity and self-respect of the members. One key project is related to economic and livelihood opportunities focusing on the collective strength and non on the individual member.

Aside from livelihood projects, BROTHERHOOD also promises to give job opportunities, scholarship for qualified beneficiaries, legal, social, moral and spiritual support and hospitalization and medical assistance to their members.

“Pera, hindi giyera, ito ang goal ni Colonel Mapalo. Ang nangyayari kasi, lalo na kapag wala na sa serbisyo, wala nang umaasikaso sa mga sundalo, dating pulis, dating jailguards. Yun bang ang pakiramdam, parang wala silang ipinasilbi at ipinaglingkod sa bayan,” explains another officer, an active member of the Philippine Army who refused to be named but part of the steering committee of BROTHERHOOD because as an active member of the AFP, he should not be part of another group such as this one. He wears a ring like Mapalo, also a graduate of the PMA.

The active officer explained to this reporter that not all retired officers in the armed service would be as lucky as the likes of former Chief of Staff Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon who succeeded in transforming himself into another arena of public service as senator of the Republic. “Hindi lahat puwedeng maging Pong Biazon. Iisa lang ang Biazon sa amin. Destiny yun, but the rest, sad to say, after the service in the military, were left on their own, without a strong organization to back them up. This is where we are coming in.”

But while the group BROTHERHOOD positions itself as a group that is non against the government, the brains of this group remains critical of the present administration.

Adaza for one, who was among those who spoke during the First Organizational Meeting believes the Administration of President Arroyo will do anything to stay in power---even to the extent of declaring Martial Law. Adaza who remains the legal counsel of Cardeño and several other officers facing court martial says “Gloria will try to declare Martial Law but she will fail because she doesn’t have the support of majority of the armed forces and the police and that include the ranks of those retired and out of service.”

Does this view represent the collective stance of the new group BROTHERHOOD?

“Let’s just say I am expressing an intelligent assessment of someone who had seen leaders from Marcos to Arroyo. What I expressed are my personal beliefs but you know, I never lack followers,” Adaza adds in jest.

Now this is the other thing I found out about this group. That most of its members are based in Taguig City and that one retired but still powerful ex-general is really the "godfather" of this group. I got the information from one of the members of this newly formed group, who holds an official ID of BROTHERHOOD.

I wonder if the ex-general's reported plan to run as mayor of Taguig has something to do with the creation of this group?

Whether the creation of this group has something to do with his political plans in Taguig, it's also very clear here that he has associated himself with personalities that are--or at least---were once very openly critical about the present government.

Does his president knew about this? Is he trying to consolidate a force of his own?

Let me stretch more your imagination...

This retired general but still very powerful public official was among the key personalities that clinched the ouster of former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

With warnings of an impending Martial Rule and No-Election come 2010, one wonders what this general is really up to?

I asked that question because this general is never comfortable with the word loyalty.

The other question is which side is he really supporting this time?

If and when the Filipino people will once again manifest their power as one---say at EDSA again---which side will he go to?(end)