Written by Zaff Solmerin / Correspondent
MONDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2009 22:26

UNDERGROUND movements composed of retired and active military officers and soldiers relived the vision and aspirations of their leader, detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, by appealing to their fellow military officers and soldiers to join the Filipino people to take the path of change.

Composed of 10 organizations, they claimed they are “officially united under the leadership of Danilo ‘Danny’ Lim” and they strongly believed that he has the qualities of being a leader to “face a ruthless enemy” and steer the country to a “collective vision of a country for peace, progress and prosperity.”

“[Lim] has the essential leadership qualities to steer us toward our vision, has the impeccable character to lead with moral authority, and has consistently displayed uncommon valor and patriotism in the face of extremely difficult situations,” the groups said.

Lim is a 1978 West Point graduate. Both he and President Arroyo are considered honorary members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1978.

Lim was a captain when Mrs. Arroyo assumed the presidency in 2001. She promoted Lim four times in four years and in 2005, Lim was already a star-rank officer way ahead of his contemporaries from the PMA.

Lim was not promoted during the administrations of former Presidents Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada owing to his alleged involvement in plots to topple the government.

The so-called U-10 includes Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa, Bagong Katipunan, Nationalist Army of the Philippines, Para sa Bayan, Soldiers of the Filipino People, Magdalo, Young Enlisted Soldiers with Active and Retired Military-Police for Solidarity, Young Officers Union, Samahang Magdalo and Guardians.

Apparently, the statement is pushing Lim to run for public office in the 2010 elections.

Although some news reports said Lim is being pushed to run for either mayor in his hometown Solano or governor of Nueva Vizcaya.

Erenesto Macahiya, national president of 1Ganap (Guardians), said they were pushing Lim to run for a Senate seat.

“We support him for a senatorial bid…he is more persistent sa prinsipyo ng reforms more than [former Army colonel-turned-Senator Gregorio] Honasan,” he said.

“We are telling the people that they should consider Danny Lim as an emerging new leader. We intend to nominate him for senator either with the opposition or to run as an independent,” he added.

In a hand-written statement sent to Camp Aguinaldo reporters, Lim said he recognized the collective support and brevity of the U-10.

“I am humbled by this expression of support. Not one to shirk away from challenges and responsibilities. I accept the mantle of leadership bestowed upon me by the collective wisdom of the leaders and followers of the various reformist groups,” he said.

“I will do justice to the trust, and I commit myself to the attainment of our aspiration for a country of peace, progress and prosperity,” he added.

Lim is among 28 military officers facing a court martial for their alleged link to the February 2006 military uprising that allegedly seek to overthrow Mrs. Arroyo from the presidency.

Among military personalities implicated with the alleged coup try were the former Marines commandant, Maj. Gen. Renato Lim, and Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, who are detained at the jail facility inside the Intelligence Service, Armed Forces compound in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

A day before the supposed “march,” where Lim and his supposed supporters were to appear at the Edsa Shrine to declare their withdrawal of support from the Arroyo presidency, they were ordered arrested inside the main building of the Armed Forces General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

Before the arrest, talks have it that if not for Lim’s refusal to permit a sizable team to storm the main building where the Armed Forces chief of staff holds office the night before February 24 in 2006, Mrs. Arroyo’s presidency could have ended that time.

Another target was the “white house” where the then-Armed Forces chief of staff, Gen. Generoso Senga, resides and where some key military officials had a “lively discussion” whether Mrs. Arroyo should step down. The group was later joined in by Lim and Querubin.

Lim is currently detained together with Magdalo leader former Navy lieutenant senior grade-turned-politician Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV at the Custodial Center of the National Police in Camp Crame.

Both were facing rebellion charges filed before the Regional Trial Court in Makati for their alleged participation in the November 2007 standoff at the Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati City.

Lim’s charisma among retired military officers and soldiers, including active ones who were members of the U-10, was very strong, as several banners containing Lim’s portrait were very conspicuous along the national highway from Tarlac going to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City, where the cavaliers’ alumni homecoming was held on February 22.

Despite the U-10’s statement of support for Lim, the leadership of the Armed Forces remained unfazed and did not see the group’s united stand as a threat to national security.

“These things that come out will not threaten our national security. It would not endanger national security,” Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr., Armed Forces chief information officer, said.

“I do not see any problem with their move, which I think is an expression of their general aspirations,” he added.

Torres also believed the U-10’s “ruthless enemy” that they were referring to was “economic poverty” that the Filipino people were currently suffering.

“I would like to assume that they are referring to the poverty the country is experiencing,” he said, adding the paid ad was meant to gain media exposure to entice the people to support Lim. He admitted, though, that the statement released by the U-10 would have to be reassessed by the military leadership.

Meanwhile, retired Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Dominguez clarified his participation in the published statement of the U-10 as his name and his signature appeared in the advertisement.

“I’m just supporting [the vision and aspirations] of Lim….I feel that if he wants to explore the realm of politics, I think he deserves it,” said Dominguez, adding he would not support any move to overthrow a government.

This only shows, explained Dominguez, that his signature that appears in the statement doesn’t mean he was advocating destabilization move.

“I am not a destabilizer, I was never involved in a plot before. That’s why in the statement, I have no affiliation to which of the groups,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez resigned as Nolcomchief and opted for an early retirement after being “by passed” or “delisted” from the lineup of candidates for Armed Forces chief of staff.

Macahiya also joined the sentiment of Dominguez.

“We are not for the overthrow [of Mrs. Arroyo]. We are united on our call for reform. We feel that the embodiment of a leader guided by the principles of reform like in the person of Lim despite the fact that he is a military man, by the fact that he is incarcerated, he is a man for peace and have a sense of identification,” he said.

Coup plotter Danny Lim also wants to run for senator

By Charlie Lagasca
Philstar.com
January 19, 2009

SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya – It seems that another Magdalo soldier has been bitten by the political bug.

Detained Army Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim is reportedly eyeing a seat in the Senate where his colleague, former Marine Lieutenant second grade Antonio Trillanes IV, now sits as a senator despite also being under detention at Camp Crame’s custodial center.

Supporters here indicated that Lim, a native of this town, is seriously considering running in next year’s election.

This has been bolstered by the sudden appearance of calendars bearing his picture and that of Trillanes, both high-ranking officers of the Magdalo group.

Lim, former head of the Army’s 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, and Trillanes, are presently detained for their involvement in the Manila Peninsula incident in 2007 that aimed to topple the government.

Aside from a seat in the Senate, Lim is also reportedly considering running for mayor of this province’s premier town in next year’s national and local elections.

“That’s a positive development. It would give the people the luxury of good choices,” said public school teacher Harriet Cabauatan, Lim’s high school batchmate at the Catholic-run Saint Louis School.

Talk of Lim’s political plans started when streamers expressing Lim’s congratulations to the town and barangay fiestas started to appear, in addition his posters and calendars.

Volunteer Paul Santiago said they were also distributing leaflets and membership forms in support of Lim’s possible senatorial or mayoral bid.

Political observers here said that, if and when he runs for mayor, Lim, with his stature and charisma, will be a formidable opponent for the equally youthful Mayor Philip Dacayo, a first-term mayor.

Lim, who worked as a part-time houseboy, graduated high school as salutatorian in 1972 with Dr. Marilou Gilo-Abon, now president of the Nueva Vizcaya State University, as valedictorian. Abon described Lim as a very principled man.

Born into a poor family, Lim entered the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) right after high school. He subsequently attended the US Military Academy at West Point.

Lim’s mother worked as a laundrywoman while his father was a porter at the town’s public market.

“He (Lim) was very studious and quiet back then,” recalls another batch mate, Isabelo Ordoñez Jr.

An added factor to Lim’s mayoralty bid is his affiliation with the still politically influential Tiongson clan, whose patriarch, the late Pedro Tiongson, had been a long-time mayor here.

“At least he would submit himself to democratic processes to advance his idealism and love for country, and not through extra-constitutional means,” said Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Thompson Lantion, himself a native of this province and former police major general.

Lantion, who hails from the capital Bayombong, and Lim are both graduates of the PMA.

A partymate of Dacayo in the Lakas-CMD, Lantion, who failed in his congressional bid in 2004, is also reportedly eyeing the governorship.

Lim came to prominence as one of the assistants of now Sen. Gregorio Honasan, one of the heroes of the 1986 EDSA People Power revolt. He was one of the key members of the Young Officers Union who staged uprisings during former President Corazon Aquino’s administration.

Another Magdalo officer wants to join Trillanes in Senate

By Charlie C. Lagasca
Philstar.com
January 18, 2009

SOLANO, Philippines – It seems that another Magdalo soldier has been bitten by the political bug.

Detained Army Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim is reportedly eyeing a seat in the Senate where his colleague, former Marine Lieutenant second grade Antonio Trillanes III, now sits as a senator despite also being under detention at Camp Crame’s custodial center.

Supporters here indicated that Lim, a native of this Ilocano and Gaddang-dominated booming town, is seriously considering running in next year’s election.

Lim, former head of the Army’s 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, and Trillanes are presently detained for their involvement in the Manila Peninsula incident in 2007 to topple the government.

Aside from a seat in the Senate, Lim, known to be charismatic here, is also eyeing the mayoralty post of this province’s premier town in next year’s national and local elections.

Talk of Lim’s political plans started when, besides posters and calendars, his streamers expressing congratulations to the town and barangay fiestas started to surface. Volunteers for Lim said they were also distributing leaflets and membership forms in support of Lim’s possible senatorial or mayoral bid.

(Salin sa Pilipino ng Liham ni Brig.Gen. Danilo Lim)

Ang ating bansa ay nahahati. Ang kapayapaan, pagkakaisa at pag-unlad ay mailap sa atin sapagkat mayroon tayong pangulong walang moral at legal na otoridad na mamuno. Sa katunayan, siya na ang patuloy na banta at sagabal sa seguridad ng bansa, sa pagkakaisa, sa kabutihan at sa diwa ng pagkabansa ng samabayanang Pilipino.

Ang tunay na lider ay simbolo ng pagkakaisa at nasa unahan ng mamamayan lalo sa mga panahon ng krisis. Ang huwad na lider ay mapanghiwalay at nangungunyapit sa kapangyarihan sa kapahamakan ng lahat at ng interes ng bansa.

Ipinupuwersa ni GMA ang sarili sa ating miserableng mamamayan. Sa gayun ang rekurso ng gubyerno ay winawaldas sa pagbili ng katapatan ng kanyang mga alipures, nilalapastangan ang mga legal na institusiyon upang magmukhang may pagsang-ayon sa immoral na gubyerno, ang mga serbisyong pampubliko ay ginawang larangan ng katiwalian at korupsyon, at ang moralidad, mga pagpapahalaga, pananagutan at responsibilidad ay pawang mga pagkukunwari. Winasak at ibinasura ang mga prinsipyo ng katotohanan bilang pundasyon sa bawat kilos ng gubyerno.

Ang bansa ngayon ay nakasadlak sa malalim na kumunoy. Panunupil, korupsyon at kawalang hustisiya ang naghahari sa bansang lugmok sa karimlan. Ang republika ay kinakaladkad sa pagkakawatak-watak ng mga labanang paksyunal. Ang malaganap ng kahirapan ay nagkakait sa mamamayan ng kanilang dignidad at itinutulak ang papalaking bilang sa prostitusyon at pagpapa-alipin sa mga dayong bansa. Ang mga insidente ng kagutuman ay walang kapantay sa nakaraan at ang bansa ay lalong nababaon sa pagkaatrasado. Ang mga mamamayang dati nang mapagtiis at mapamaraan ay binabalot ngayon ng higit na pagdarahop. Lahat ng ito ay bunga ng 8 taon nang pamumunong hindi hinalal, walang hanggan sa korupsyon at mga patakaran nito ng liberalisasyon sa ekonomiya at pagbubusal sa mamamayan.

Ang sambayanang Pilipino na malaon nang pinagkakaitan ng mabuting gubyerno ay dapat nang kumilos upang bawiin ang kanilang dignidad, paalisin ang umagaw sa kanilang kapangyarihan at sumulong sa landas na kadakilaan. Aking pinaalingaw-ngaw, nang malakas at malinaw ang panawagan para sa radikal na mga pagbabago at muling pagtitindig ng bansa. Panahon na upang tayo ay hindi lamang makinig at magmasid, bagkus ay dapat na humakbang pasulong.

Ilang araw mula ngayon ay Nobyembre 30 na, Araw ng mga Pambansang Bayani. Ating muling sariwain at hawakan nang mahigpit ang mga pananaw at adhikain ng ating mga bayani at martir at bigyang katuparan ang kanilang ginintuang layunin ng Pambansang Kasarinlan.

Kailangan ng bansa ng mga lider na makabayan at handang magpakabayani sa pagtataguyod ng tunay na kasarinlan ng bawat aspeto ng buhay ng bansa. Sila ay dapat na may matibay na kapasyahang labanan ang kolonyal na kapangyarihan at mga local na alipures nitong nakakubabaw sa ating ekonomiya; itakwil ang mga mapanupil at aprang lintang patakaran sa pagbabayad ng dayuhang pautang; isulong ang pambansang industriyalisasyon, produktibidad ng agrikultura at sustinidong mga repormang agraryo, pagtiyak ng kasapatan at kasarinlan sa pagkain at enerhiya; at, pagbabalangkas ng matatag na pang-ekonomiyang programa at estratehiya na nakabatay sa prinsipyo na – ang yaman at rekurso ng bansa ay para sa kaunlaran at kapakinabangan ng mga Pilipino.

Ang kasalukuyang presidente ay kabaligtaran ng hinahangad nating pinuno. Para sa higit niyang pakinabang, handa at ginagawa ni Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo na ihain sa mga dayuhan ang soberanya at integridad ng bansang hangang sa ang republika ay pagwatak-watakin tulad sa kaso ng Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) at sa isyu ng muling pagguhit sa batayang linya ng kanlurang bahagi ng kapuluan.

Ang kasalukuyang mga pakana ng Malakanyang ay naglalayon ng pagpapalawig ng ilehitimong rehimeng GMA. Ang panalangin ni Dureza at pag-uumarte ni GMA ay sapat na nagsiwalat ng masamang layuning nito. Wala ni bahid ng hiya na mismong anak ang nangunguna sa pangangalap ng mga pirma na sa lalong madaling panahon ay magpapatibay sa buktot na pakanang ito. Sa pamamagitan ng bayaran nitong Kongreso na bumibigo sa proseso ng bawat kaso ng impeachment at ng mga tiwaling miyembro ng Korte Suprema na nasa mando nito, ang landas ay malinis para sa Malakanyang at nakataya na ang kinabukasan ng bansa. Bangungot na isiping ang tanging pag-asa natin ay ang mamatay si GMA sa katandaan.

Panahon na upang magkapit-bisig at kumilos! Sobra na, tama na!