“The State is no academy of arts; it is power, and therefore it denies its very nature when it neglects its army. The next essential function of the State is the conduct of war. The long oblivion into which this principle has fallen is a proof of how effeminate the science of government had become in civilian hands”. -- Heinrich von Treitschke

Finally a senator of our besieged republic has the “testicular fortitude” to openly push for the suspension of “Peace Talks” with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) & expose Malaysian involvement in the conflict. This, after 23 brave soldiers of the AFP gave up their lives in the performance of their duty, summarized in the Constitution as, protector of our people, government, and territorial integrity. Said soldiers, unfortunately, will not be the last of already too many warriors, father to son, fallen in a long and indecisive war managed under restrictive civilian/political mandates tactfully phrased e.g. as “peace talks”, “not calling them terrorists”, “rogue MILF commanders or units”, of “AFP coordination with the MILF when there is troop movements”, and of the AFP prohibited from certain MILF areas. The exceptions in recent history of our wars were Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Ferdinand Marcos, and Joseph Estrada.

We salute Senator Biazon having met the flag draped caskets in Villamor Air Base as they were being led out one by one from the belly of the only operating Air Force C-130 Transport. A quieting moment in a most solemn ritual only men in uniform -- who risk life -- and of grieving families can comprehend.

So where were the other senators of the republic? The 200 plus congressmen? The so-called “presidentiables” for 2010 who may become the next “Commander in Chief?”

To the credit of the Senate Defense Committee chairman Biazon, he alone to this day, has courageously exposed what this corner has, ad nauseam, written regarding the “conflict of interest” of Malaysia hosting the “peace talks” since they are clearly a party in interest with Philippine territory, Sabah, under Malaysian control. Senator Biazon unflinchingly resonated Malaysian involvement in the MOA-AD (under MILF control) precisely because it would redound to the benefit of the former’s interest to create a buffer zone between our Republic and the Malaysian inseminated & armed Bangsa Moro. I have it in good authority, had the MOA-AD passed, Malaysia would have poured billions of Ringgits for the MILF as a first step to development. The plot in the timeline would have the MILF politically unhappy under the Republic, eventually declaring preference to join the Malay Confederation! As an aside, this is why I am suspicious of Malaysian advocacy of the Federal Movement & Charter Change for the Philippines.

In a past column, I revealed the “bribe” offered by very “high officials” to recent Administration senatorial candidate Sultan Kiram in the billions of pesos for waiving his rights to Sabah. When asked why he did not make this a campaign issue, his answer -- he was restrained by Palace officials worried Malaysians may fund the opposition. How deep is Malaysian insecurity when we Filipinos decide to unite is best encapsulated by their bribing of high officials past & present; involvement in our economy e.g. National Steel Corp.; long distance calls from Kuala Lumpur to Malacanang asking for a cessation of hostilities when the AFP is about to capture an MILF camp etc. this is war undeclared.