- Advertisement -

Mariano Carrasco

THE existing regime will always be vulnerable. If it did not do anything about the farmers’ blockade of the national highway in Kidapawan, transportation and business in that area of Mindanao would suffer and collapse. If it tries to demolish the farmers’ protest action, as it in fact did, it could result in violence, bloodshed, and the police and military men would likely be blamed—as in fact they are being blamed now. They are damned if they don’t do anything, they are damned if they do something.

- Advertisement -

But then, the police could have been a little bit more cautious. They could have done things gradually perhaps, like using truncheons and water cannons, or they could have arrested those blocking the road. They should have exercised maximum tolerance, or they should have given an ultimatum of some sorts before finally bringing in the armed component of the police. An ultimatum would have required at least about a 24-hour final deadline to disperse, otherwise, extreme measures would be undertaken.

It seems there was none of that. None of the cautionary and tactical approach. It seems brute force was immediately used against hungry protesting farmers affected by the drought, thus putting the police in a real bad light. Even if the farmers’ group was being led by leftist groups, assuming that to be, it was not just and wise and it was tactically wrong for the police to assault the group in that brutal manner. If this is war, the police lost the high moral ground and fell into a trap. They should learn more about tactics, strategy, and psychology. It isn’t good for Noynoy Aquino, and it isn’t for Mar Roxas.

Mar Roxas should now distance himself from Noynoy Aquino, or suffer politically. He is actually the better, more mature, and more stable candidate, with a solid background and solid government experience, untainted by corruption, unblemished by erratic tendencies, unaffected by previous American citizenship, though he belongs to the elitist and landed Araneta family.  Certainly, the Americans, who have so much investments here, are rooting for Mar Roxas, because they want someone who could promote their economic interests and who is politically and emotionally stable, and has experience, financially and politically.

But as things stand now, Duterte appears to be  the dark horse galloping away from the rest of the pack. It’s unthinkable. I couldn’t believe it myself that such a rude and rough person like Duterte who flaunts his romantic perversion and fascistic or anarchic approach to solve criminality, and who disparages the symbol of the Church, the pope,  could ever become so popular. Even the survey of Xavier University, a Jesuit institution, shows that Duterte is leading the pack. It indicates the kind of political education and educational leaders that our people and students have had. And to think that Xavier University is the center of learning in this part of the Philippines. He he. Incidentally, recently, Xavier University sponsored a debate among the congressional candidates for the second district. They never even invited my wife, Atty. Evangeline T. Carrasco, the lone woman candidate among the six candidates, and an independent, at that. Earlier, XU conducted a so-called survey involving 800 individuals, and based on their “results” only about two students voted for her. Need we say much about the survey’s credibility?

My wife and I have expressed strong opposition to the transfer of the Sangley Airforce base in Cavite to Lumbia, and which would consequently allow the US military warplanes and missiles to be brought in under Edca, and endanger the city and its citizens since Lumbia would now serve as a defense wall or nuclear magnet of the Americans in case of war against the Russians and Chinese. But if the pro-American Jesuits of Xavier and the people want the military bases and expose themselves to the threat of a nuclear annihilation, what can we do? We will just migrate to be safe.

 (Mariano B. Carrasco is a lawyer based in Cagayan de Oro.)

Disclaimer

Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.

- Advertisement -