The Tale of Graciano

Graciano grew up in a small village.  His parents though were rich so he didn’t have to struggle, work hard or even cheat or steal for whatever he desired while growing up.  He was educated in a respectable university in the big city; and later moved to the metropolis for greener pastures.  He landed a good job, married a city girl and had children.  The big city became Graciano's home.  From time to time, though, he visited his ageing parents with his wife and young city-grown kids.  Later on however, his wife and children no longer joined him in his provincial sorties except on a few important occasions and only for very short duration.  Graciano's wife and children never got to love the homey, simple and slow moving life in the barrio where their father grew up

During those times that he was away, Graciano’s old village went through a number of hard times and trials.  It was ravaged by storms, floods, drought and pestilence.  It was rocked by terrorism, banditry and lawlessness.  As a good Christian, he sent material aid to the villagers whenever calamity struck.  He had plenty of material things to share with others.  After all he and his family was spared from those hardships.  They were lucky to have lived elsewhere and never experienced all these trepidation. 

One day, there came a new village chief who was a friend of his family who offered him an important job in the community.  Graciano was already contented in his new home in the city but the temptation of assuming an important role and be amongst the “principalia” of his former village proved very difficult to resist. The grass now appears greener for him this time at the other side of the fence.  The pay was better than what he gets in his city job, the work was not so demanding and his position was more prestigious.  Yet, it would mean less time for his family who wouldn’t want to join him.  His wife wouldn’t give up her job and his children are still in school.   Upon the prodding of his parents and old friends, Graciano accepted it, albeit, reluctantly. 

Time came when the village chief had to retire.  Graciano wanted to become the next chief.  He remembered that it was his father’s dream that a member of their family would someday be the leader of their community.  By now, Graciano is near enough for its realization and the opportunity is at hand.  Graciano' wife and young children strongly objected to this new twist in their family life.  So he had to promise them that he would only serve for six years and would return home to the city after that.  After all, his intent was only for the purpose of fulfilling his father’s dream.

Graciano is a fictitious character who may be likened to one of our presidential contenders who left our country and renounced Filipino citizenship for greener pastures.  A former American citizen with an American husband and American children (that were raised and breed in an American environment), Grace Poe wants to become the next President of the Philippines.  Her would-be opponents question her qualifications.  Among others they say that she lacks experience in governance; that she did not pass the minimum residency requirement; and that she is not a natural born citizen of the Philippines.

I would not attempt to discuss the issue of Grace Poe’s lack of experience.  It is suffice to point out that once upon a time there was a housewife who became the first woman President of our country despite her almost nil experience in governance.  Whether Cory Aquino performed well as President is up for the Filipino people to judge; and whether Grace Poe could do better than her is subject for speculation. 

I would not also venture an opinion of Poe’s lack of the mandatory residency requirement as this can be easily ascertained through documentary evidences.  I would rather concentrate on the citizenship issue.

During one of her sorties to the Bicol Region, Grace Poe in one of her speeches said that the citizenship issue against her was very similar to that of the late Secretary Jessie Robredo.  She thought that by comparing herself with the well-loved former mayor of Naga City, she could win the votes of the Bicolanos.  However, that unstudied statement instead backfired on her.  Representative Leni  Robredo, the widow of the late Secretary, contradicted her statement.  Leni said that they were entirely different because her husband unlike Poe never abandoned nor renounced his Filipino citizenship. 

The discussions on the citizenship issue against Poe were centered on her being a foundling, a contentious one since there is no provision in the present constitution on that matter.  What is clear is that one of the requirements for President (also for Vice President, Senators and Representatives, etc.) is that he/she must be a natural born citizen.  Section 2, Article IV of the Cory Constitution defines a natural born citizen as follows: “Natural born citizens are those who are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship.”  Renouncing Filipino citizenship was a legal act and reacquiring it was another legal act.  By constitutional definition, therefore, Grace Poe is now a naturalized Filipino citizen even if it can be argued that despite her being a foundling she was a natural born Filipino citizen from the beginning. 

Let us assume that despite this constitutional barrier, Grace Poe will still be allowed to run and is eventually elected as President.  So, then we will have our third Lady President who is relatively have a little experience than the first and presumably more honest than the second.  We will also have an American First Gentleman and an American First Family for the first time.  Wouldn’t that be great?

After her six year term, would Grace Poe remain in the Philippines and “help” our country some more or would she go home to the Land of Promise where her family is comfortably settled?  Or would she do a Fujimori, a former president of Peru who committed some crimes there and in order to avoid prosecution ran to Japan where he was also a citizen?

The army surrendered

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Is Our Country a Toy?

“Do you play computer games?” was the President’s reply to a question of the widow of a SAF (Special Action Force) officer who perished in the Mama Sapano clash.  The young widow asked why there was no air strike when the beleaguered PNP (Philippine National Police) troops were surrounded, outnumbered and mercilessly massacred by combined forces of the BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters) and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Fighters) that fateful day of January 25, 2015.  Instead of making a categorical answer, the President instead retorted by saying things associated with his favorite pastime – computer games.  (“Air Strike” must have been one of his favorites.)  It is rumored that he frequently plays computer games with his favorite nephew, son of his movie actress - sister, which was sometimes the reason why he arrives late in some important commitments.  Among others, the President also loves to indulge in target practice, sing-along and fast cars.  He loves to play.

Many years ago, a Filipino Chinese businessman bought an old fledgling sugar mill in Central Philippines.  The residents of that sleepy city that relied most of its revenue in terms of taxes that the company pays and the spending from its better paid employees were ecstatic of this new development.  Soon after, the restaurants, entertainment areas and other business establishments became alive again.  However, the bliss did not stay long enough.  The sugar mill went bankrupt and stopped its operations.  The banks took over the real property over which the mill stood and whatever scrap that remained of its machineries.  Many became jobless again and the economy of the city suffered.

There was a running joke that circulated around after that Filipino Chinese businessman and his family left the city and returned to Luzon where they came from.  The joke was that he was a “very rich man” indeed – that he could afford to buy a sugar mill so that his children would have something to play with.  Other rich people would normally buy mechanized toy cars, sometimes even real cars, just for the pleasure of their young and even their spoiled adult children.  But this guy was richer than most because he bought a whole sugar mill that his children could have something to experiment on and fiddle with including the lives of the employees and their families who depended on their livelihood on the facility. 

Perhaps, the word “play” was too, harsh as a friend of mine suggested.  The term could just have been “mismanage” he said.  I beg to disagree with him and opt to still use the word “play”.  Why?  They knew that they did not have the aptitude, were inexperienced and did not have the technical and academic preparations to effectively and efficiently operate such a very complicated business venture.  Yet they went on.  After all, if they fail and the endeavor flops, they would still have enough money to buy another “toy” – probably a shipping company or a resort hotel that they could experiment on again.   

The Philippines may be likened to a toy in the hands of a spoiled brat.  Our leader toyed around with our constitution by his creation of the DAP, the impeachment of a Chief Justice on non-impeachable grounds and the proposed carving out a sub-state in Southern Philippines, among others.  He played soldier acting like a tactical commander by giving direct orders to the real commander on the ground as in the Mama Sapano case.  He played with the lives of our soldiers and policemen and he never cared.  Like toys, the death of four officers and 15 army soldiers in Al Barka, Basilan in 2011 and that of the 44 SAF policemen in Mama Sapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015 are “just part of the job” he says.

Unlike other spoiled brats however, he played with something that was not his.  He does not own the Philippines – it was entrusted to him by the Filipino people thinking that he would lead this country to greatness.

In 2010 we chose to have a leader who is “honest”.  Hence we elected somebody who was perceived to be an honorable man.  We chose him over the more experienced, the more academically and technically prepared, and those with good track records in various administrative fields in the government and other sectors.  Honesty was the foremost qualification that the Filipino used as the parameter in choosing our leader. However, the Filipino then adopted a very simplistic definition of an honest man as someone who does not steal. 

Today we reckon back and rethink what honesty really means.  Borrowing the definition of the Philippine Military Academy of its Honor Code it says, “The cadet does not cheat, lie or steal nor does he tolerate anyone who does”.  The President didn’t steal alright and he runs after the thieves in government.  However, he prosecuted only the thieves in the opposite political fence while coddling his friends and allies, closing his eyes on their misdoings.

Is he an honorable man who is worth the adulation and esteem of the Filipino people?  He didn’t steal but he allowed his friends and allies to do it.  By his non-presidential demeanor, he cheated his country with its self-respect.  He robbed Juan dela Cruz of his dream to improve himself and his future.  He lied to his people. He acted in his supposedly honorable position like it was just his usual play.  He must have thought that running the reins of government is another computer game that when the game is over you can play it again without the slightest damage to anyone.

And He Played with a Scalpel

In a previous article we likened the Mama Sapano operation to that of a “surgical operation”, a medical term involving an incision using special instruments performed by a well-trained doctor in order to repair damage or arrest disease in a living body. We also likened the SAF (Special Action Force) to the scalpel, a sharp instrument that can make precise and neat cuts where they are needed in order to remove or cure the sick part of the patient without unnecessarily tearing his healthy and unaffected flesh. This instrument made of the best metal and created for a special purpose has to be wielded in the hands of an experienced surgeon. Further we said that in the hands of a monkey, the scalpel can do more damage and can kill the patient instead.

Accordingly, there were several “errors” that were committed as gleaned from the various investigations, inquiries and discussions on the infamous “Operation Exodus” that claimed the lives of 44 members of an elite unit of the PNP. 

Normally, an operation involving a high level target such as that of international terrorist, Zulkifli Bin Hir alyas “Marwan” involves three levels of plans, decisions and actions – strategic, operational and tactical. The strategic level is reserved only for the Chief Executive with the help of his cabinet and advisers. Strategic activities are those that have socio-cultural, economic, political, diplomatic and military dimensions. These different dimensions always affect one another. Hence, they are wider in scope and have long range effects or impacts on the wellbeing and stability of the nation. These activities directly or indirectly support our national aims and objectives. 

The decision to neutralize Marwan at that point in time indeed was a strategic one. While the direct action was basically military or police in nature, it had some socio-cultural, political, diplomatic, and economic dynamics. It affects some national and international concerns and answer some important questions such as: “Will it bolster our claim that the Philippines strongly supports the war against international terrorism and will it satisfy the expectations of our allies (such as the US)?”; “Will it contribute to the peace and order condition in Mindanao and hasten foreign and local investments in the area?”; and “How will it affect our fragile peace initiatives with the MILF and future ones with other groups or organizations that threaten the security of our country?”, among others. 

The issue of coordinating with the MILF is definitely a strategic one (and could not be blamed on P/Dir Getulio Napeñas who is only on the tactical level). Aside from the other local non-military concerns as an effect of the operations, it may also have some diplomatic repercussions. Other countries, such as Malaysia that brokered the peace efforts, may feel that such surreptitious action in MILF “territory” would create distrust between the government and the MILF and therefore runs counter to the confidence building measures that Malaysia was so interested about. On the other hand, coordinating (asking permission is perhaps the proper term) with the MILF will project an image that the Philippines does not have sovereignty in these areas and may be used as a basis for the MILF to seek for a “belligerency” status from an international body.

The Secretaries of the DILG and DND are part of the strategic group being the alter egos and chief advisers of the President on peace and order matters. They also serve as the bridge between the strategic and operational levels and hence are also part of the operational side of the undertaking. Yet they were not consulted nor asked to contribute in the planning of the operation. The suspended PNP Chief is obviously not a part of the strategic group. However, if he was not suspended, he may be called upon to give operational inputs needed for strategic planning.

The operational level supports the strategic initiative and is meant to “operationalize” the strategic decision. The operational plans, decisions and actions conform to that of the strategic. Although these may be in general terms, they give more substance and provide additional guidelines. The Secretaries of DILG and the DND; the Chief, PNP his major units; and the Chief of Staff, AFP and his major units are part of the operational group. The plans, decisions and actions in this level determine how the operation may be conducted; which units of the AFP and the PNP or civilian agencies may be involved; and the support systems that may be necessary to perform them. They also make the necessary coordination with other national agencies of government such as the DSWD and the DOH. 

The lowest level in the hierarchy is the tactical side. This is where P/Director Getulio Napeñas comes in. His unit, the SAF, was tasked to accomplish the job and to perform the actual operations in accordance with the plan dictated from the top. However, situations vary and are sometimes even totally different on the ground than what was in the plan. As such, the tactical commander may implement situation dictated actions; or improvise those that were earlier planned and anticipated; or even abort the mission. In extreme situations, the ground commander even violates operational guidelines if in his wisdom this is necessary to accomplish the mission or ensure the safety of his men. A good tactical commander therefore is one who knows how to balance his two primary duties – to accomplish the mission and to look after the welfare of his men. Being the man on the ground, he is the best person to know the most effective course of action to take if it is not specifically mentioned in the plan. However, he may be forced to comply with a strategic directive even it defies all operational and tactical sanity. 

Failures or successes are always determined at the end of a mission. If it succeeds, everybody claims that it was his or was a part of it. If it fails, nobody acknowledges his fault. Sadly, it is always the tactical commander that is blamed for blunders on the ground even if he just followed the “beautiful” plan laid out on a piece of paper by swivel chair commanders who have never had any experience in the field. Seasoned and wise leaders spend more time in the planning of important undertakings. He makes sure that the right persons are consulted; the necessary data are gathered and meticulously evaluated and the preliminary and supporting activities are performed before the main and more important operation is undertaken. Most often, a good plan ensures the success of a mission. 

Napeñas may have committed some tactical errors which are unexplainable being a seasoned combat officer. He did not abort the mission when his blocking force failed to occupy its designated position on time. His troops tarried on in the area, amongst a corn field (a tactically unsafe position) when they could have hastily withdrawn after killing Marwan. He did not (or failed to) employ as reinforcement his more than 300 elite forces located at the nearby highway. It is hard to understand why these basic “errors” were committed knowing him to be an experienced SAF operator. One may only speculate that he was made to do these tactically unsound decisions for more “strategic” intentions.

A monkey played with a scalpel and he would not admit it even if blood showed in his hands.

Casting our own shadows

My sons were but young boys when, as a captain, I started to enjoy the amenities  of a "senior" officer having just been designated as the Secretary to the Area Command Staff of the Visayas Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines.  One of these amenities, not normally accorded to other officers of the same rank or even higher, was a “staff car”.  Actually, it was just a Kennedy type jeep but in those days, it was already a big thing.  We had very few vehicles then and only the top three people in the organization and the principal staff had them

With my new assignment, my children now get the privilege of riding on a motor vehicle.  They love to ride that jeep each time they are in camp for their regular visits.  It made them feel great because back home, riding with their grandfather on his old bicycle was the most that they could get. Each time that my sons join me in my “staff car”, they would insist to sit with me in the front.  It is not only more comfortable there but the boys had other reasons why they prefer that seat.  They were fascinated with what they can see from that vantage position.  They wanted to observe closely the routine type of military courtesy that I get – the military salute. 

It is customary that when a soldier salutes a senior officer, the latter has to acknowledge it by also rendering a similar courtesy.  (Although in some cases when it is impractical or inconvenient to return the salute, a simple nod may do.)  My sons would then imagine that they were the ones being saluted at.  Hence, whoever amongst them was the first one to get my cap and wear it; he would have the privilege of acknowledging the soldier with the snappiest salute that he could muster with his infirm hand.  Being saluted and saluting the soldiers back never fail to make my boys beam with pride.

Children always get to enjoy the extension of the privileges, the amenities and the esteem that were meant for their parents by virtue of their positions in their respective organizations or spheres of influence.   While roaming inside camp, my kids were always treated nicely or given preferential attention by the soldiers even if sometimes they become mischievous or even discourteous.  Often, they receive small gifts or get invited to partake of meals or snacks by “strangers” whom they learn later on were my friends. 

As my children grew older, I gradually explained to them the phenomenon of reflected friendship, respect and esteem that they get from my friends.  I told them that these things are not forever.  A time will come that they will have to stand by themselves and cast their own shadows.  Later, people will treat and interact with them based on their own merits and not on the status or the accomplishments of their parents.

I have two (2) sons that followed my footsteps as a soldier.  When they were young, they were simply known as the sons of Captain Cabales (later on as the sons of Major then Colonel Cabales, as I rose up the promotional ladder).  Now they are their own persons no longer dependent on whatever influences I may still have as a retired soldier.  People know them as Major Alex Nikolai Cabales and 1Lt Alex Andre Cabales, both PMA graduates and maybe future generals.  Now, they only need their personal credentials when they introduce themselves.  The level of respect and esteem that they get (from their seniors, peers and subordinates) is based on their own capabilities and potentials.  They may also receive amenities and special privileges, sometimes even better than the one’s I got when I was their age and rank, but surely these are direct rewards of their commendable performances as officers.  Sometimes though, they are asked of our relationship by some people who once worked with me.  Perhaps then that would only be the time that it may be necessary for them to say that I am their father.  This additional information, however, can no longer alter a bit the strength of their reputations as professional military officers.   

Today, we have some people who run for public position who do not have their own credentials and haven’t had the opportunity of casting their own shadows.  The funny thing is that they believe that they deserve to win because their father or mother; or even a relative or a namesake was once a great achiever!   Funnier still is that the electorate will still vote for them with nothing else to show but this “talent” of being a son, a daughter or a relative of a great man.

Mama Sapano, A Surgical Operation

In the early phase of the inquiries involving the Mama Sapano debacle, one senior PNP officer commented that the SAF (Special Action Force) operation against international terrorist, Zulkifli Bin Hir alyas “Marwan” was a “surgical operation” of sorts. Few people might have picked up the term that he used as he didn't even bother to explain it at all.


“Surgical operation” is a medical term involving an incision using special instruments performed by a well-trained doctor in order to repair damage or arrest disease in a living body. As a general rule, it involves the cutting of a patient's tissues or closure of a previously sustained wound. It is an invasive procedure - one that penetrates or breaks the skin or enters a body cavity.


Marwan was a high value target who has for several years evaded the normal “search and destroy” type of military or police operations. He has lived amongst the MILF and BIFF communities since 2003 and several attempts to capture him failed for various reasons. Many say that he was being coddled (to say it mildly) by the MILF with whom the Philippine government is forging a peace agreement. Hence, there was a need to conduct a “surgical operation”, one that requires invasive actions. This kind of operation which is always characterized by surprise; lethal and precise execution; and timely and speedy conduct of the operations, was meant to be isolated from the provisions of the peace agreement being a legitimate law enforcement function.


Most of the previous operations against Marwan failed mainly because he was forewarned thus allowing him to evade the military or police forces. Surprise therefore is a key element to the success of the mission. The enemy should not know of your plan so that he cannot prepare accordingly. Even friendly forces or agencies may be left in the dark in order to avoid information leaks. This explains why the SAF did not inform the AFP of the impending operations because their participation was felt to be unnecessary at that time. The application of the “need to know” principle on the other agencies and the MILF as well was meant for the same reason. Foremost, however, was to deny Marwan with the usual mass base support from the community around him. In the case of the Mama Sapano operations, the SAF surprised Marwan and his security personnel and they were able to get him.


Just like in a medical surgical operation, the SAF had advanced information of the target, its operational environment and other conditions or factors that may affect his courses of action. Thus the act of neutralizing Marwan was very deliberate, lethal and executed with precision. They were able to contain the action to a small and specific area without disturbing the nearby villages at first. However, they tarried in the vicinity after accomplishing their mission which should not have been the case. That perhaps was a tactical error of judgement.


The swiftness in which Marwan was neutralized may have been in accordance with the SAF time table. The succeeding sequence of actions after completing their mission, however, was not. Ideally, they could have vacated the area as fast as they came in. And before the “enemy’ forces became aware of their invasive action, they would have long been gone. Yet, we learned that the assaulting and the blocking elements of the SAF did not vacate the area immediately after completing their mission. They tarried and even had breakfast (of chocolates as reported) in the vicinity of the action. This allowed the MILF and the BIFF to react and the rest was history.


There were three errors that I have seen that may have been forced on the SAF perhaps much against their tactical judgments. First, the SAF assaulting element proceeded with the operations even if their blocking forces were not yet in their designated areas. This condition makes them vulnerable to enemy maneuvers and counter attacks. Normally, that condition would have been a reason to abort the operation but they did not. Were they told to go ahead despite this? Why was there an urgency to complete the mission on that specific time frame? Was it part of an unfolding greater political scenario?


The second possible error was when they lingered on in the area near the initial encounter site inside a corn field when their tactical doctrine tells them it was an unsafe position? Where they told to stay put to act as a security force for the arrival of an important personality? Was the corn field meant to be a helipad?


The third was about the role of the more than 300 SAF personnel near the highway some 3-4 kilometers away. Why didn't they reinforce their beleaguered comrades when they learned that they were outmaneuvered and massacred like chicken? Were they really meant to be the reserve force? Why so big a “reserve” force when military doctrine says that the main force (assaulting) should have priority of forces, followed by the supporting/blocking force and the reserve last?


Normally, the reserve force is less than or at most equal to the main effort. In this case, the main force was only less than 40 personnel and the blocking force about the same number. Were they ordered not reinforce in order not to escalate the hostilities and “preserve” the government peace initiatives? Were the 300 SAF elements who were not engaged prepositioned as security forces in anticipation of the arrival of a VIP in the area?


We really do not know the answers as to why the SAF committed these blunders. All that we can do is to speculate.


The SAF is like the scalpel, a sharp instrument that can make precise and neat cuts where they are needed in order to remove or cure the sick part of the patient without unnecessarily tearing his healthy and unaffected flesh. This instrument made of the best metal and created for a special purpose has to be wielded by an experienced surgeon. In the hands of a monkey, the scalpel can do more damage and can kill the patient instead.

Mistah, A Word of Endearment Among PMA Classmates

Mistahhhhh!  This was the cry of despair of a young lieutenant while he was watching how the MNLF fighters were slowly hacking to death his PMA (Philippine Military Academy) classmate who was tied to a coconut tree a little distance from his line of defense.  Earlier, the latter lieutenant was waylaid and captured by the MNLF while he was en route to reinforce the base of the other lieutenant which was attacked by overwhelming MNLF forces.  Although this scenario was a very realistic one and may have indeed happened, it was just a part of a scene of a movie entitled “Mistah”, a Tagalog film that was shown in Philippine cinema sometime in 1994.  It has a similar plot to that of the American movie “Platoon”, a blockbuster during its time.

This movie however, does not tell so much of its title, “Mistah”.  It was in fact a story of the patriotism of our soldiers who were fighting for the integrity of our nation.  It shows the realities that the soldiers face, their sacrifices and that of their families and the harsh and dangerous conditions in the field.  Incidentally it includes, as a side dish, the relationship of two (2) fresh graduates of the PMA who were assigned as platoon leaders in an army unit somewhere in war torn southern Philippines.  The movie did not revolve around these two officers but rather on the heroism of the ordinary soldiers.

This movie came to my mind during a Christmas party when an acquaintance commented that the PMA graduates dominate the top leadership of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) because of their unique camaraderie which includes supporting each other in whatever endeavors.  He used the word “Mistah” system as this unique type of relationship that Peemayers (as what we call PMA graduates) share among each other.

Misuse of the word “Mistah” are indeed rampant.  In the movie itself, the word was used erroneously.  The exchanges of the two lieutenants calling each other “Mistah” were appropriate but the word was misused a few times.  At one time, one of the lieutenants said, “magiging Mistah ka na rin” as he informed a soldier that the latter passed the entrance examination to PMA.  What he should have said was, “magiging Peemayer (or officer) ka na rin” in that particular situation.  Ordinary folks would sometimes comment that PMA graduates always help other out of a situation - good or bad - because they are “Mistahs”.  

The word “Mistah” is used by PMA cadets and graduates when addressing or referring to their classmates in the academy.  It is a word of endearment, of fondness and of mutual respect and admiration. It is exclusive to one’s own PMA classmates and cannot be used to refer to ones upperclassmen or underclassmen or to classmates in the military courses that we take during the various phases of our military career. 

It was said that the use of word “Mistah” originated from an old black and white movie that was shown in a theatre in Harrison Road, Baguio shortly after the war.  The film “Mistah Johnson”, was about a Negro slave who cared so much about the plight of the other slaves.  The slave, Mister Johnson (pronounced Mistah Johnson by the Negros) was an epitome of brotherly love and sincere friendship.  The cadets, after watching that movie, then started to affectionately call their classmates as “like Mistah Johnson” later on dropping the comparative word “like” and the “Johnson”.  As the cadets were trained to help each other in their difficult times in the academy especially in their plebe (freshman) year, they were expected to behave like a “Mistah Johnson”.