News peg, from Malaya, Feb. 27, 2015: Headline: “Palace rings sedition alert on Noy ouster calls.
“Malacañang yesterday warned those who continue to call for the resignation of President Aquino and other government officials not to cross the line between criticism and inciting to sedition or conspiracy to commit rebellion.
“Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. made the statement after members of the National Transformation Council (NTC) reiterated their call for the entire Aquino government to resign.
“NTC members cited several issues against the administration, including the declaration of portions of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) as unconstitutional.
“Mayroong mga pangkat na tila nagsasamantala. Pinagsasamantalahan nila iyung pagdadalamhati ng ating bansa sa mga nasawi sa Mamasapano, at tumatawid sila doon sa linya patungo doon sa mga krimen na ating nabanggit. Kaya nandoon iyung paalala na hindi dapat lumabag sa batas at iyung pahayag na gagawin ang nararapat para panagutin iyung mga lumalabag sa batas,” Coloma said.
“Coloma said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had already reminded NTC members to be aware of certain acts that may lead to inciting to sedition and conspiracy to commit rebellion, especially those who exploit the death of 44 police commandos in Mamasapano last January 25.
He said it is up to the DOJ to assess if there would be a basis to charge anyone or any group of violating the law.xxx”
Some readers might be wondering what “line” this is where the speech could be curtailed with subsequent punishment.
That line is the clear and present danger test — with about 100 years of jurisprudence behind it … No fiscal, judge, state prosecutor familiar with the cases will touch the charge sheet that Sonny Coloma is contemplating on. #EDSAkaba ? Kasi ang dami nagkaka-crash sa iyo!!!
The Jan. 9 Bahay Pangarap Meeting: The Napeñas Testimony
“On January 9, 2015, we, the President, PNP Chief Purisima, and I met in Bahay Pangarap xxx and Operation Exodus was finalized …” – former SAF chief Napeñas.
i hate to say this but because Operation Wolverine/ Operation Terminator/ Operation Exodus (to capture international terrorist Marwan dead or alive) was a covert operation, and the President chose to head or oversee the operation, he had the prerogative of choosing the personnel, the means, the method, the weapons, the time, and the manner — as long as he was not breaking the law.
That’s the caveat. As long as all his acts were lawful. (and he would account for them).
He knew there would be a firefight in a rebel stronghold — but he hoped the strike would be surgical, he knew it would breach the ceasefire but he thought it would be excusable under “law-enforcement” processes of the government, he knew it was risky and dangerous but he hoped there would be less casualties as the Ceasefire Committee (“Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities”) should be able to stop the firefight soon enough, he knew PNP Chief Alan Purisima was under preventive suspension, but he was the head of state, the Chief Executive (“cite me in contempt”, he’d say).
They got Marwan alright (congratulations), but he miscalculated — in many ways in many different levels with 44 SAF forces to show for it.
What was unforgiveable was the refusal to account for it. And so, a hundred investigating bodies bloomed.
(the Palace advisers surrounding him are too keen on the 2016 elections and the fortunes of their political party)
Instead of learning from the miscalculations for future operations, he is expending precious resources on mitigating the cost of his miscalculations.
Bite the bullet — and leave a legacy of courage and accountability.
