MANILA, Philippines — That is like hiring a hold-upper to be the manager of a bank” -Army Lt. General Raul Urgello AFP (Ret).

Said statement made in reaction to reports slowly validated by on-going internal debates in the AFP, of the impending return of Jose Ma Sison to the country; a possible appointment into government; and integration of NPA rebels into the AFP. The “hold-upper” caveat holds water, since Sison, in reality, is the recognized “god father” of the longest running armed insurgency (43 years counting), by the CPP-NPA with a broad coalition of quislings under the NDF: workers, farmers, fisher folks, teachers, government employees, students, religious, migrant workers, art and media; and with the blooming, “Let a thousand flowers bloom,” as Mao once said, of politically elected “personalities” in Congress. Auspiciously, the national wisdom still holds and rings true. Despite the adoption of known hard-line “leftist” into the main stream Nationalista Party -- a lamentable move if only Doy Laurel were still alive - in the last senatorial election, the Filipino people rejected the entry of “communist” into national office.
And said thumbs down has occurred not once, not twice, but many times in our political history. If the “cause” and the cause oriented groups they sponsor are so effective and popular, why do they avoid and fail to openly and publicly admit the core of their ideology? The heart and party, behind the militancy? Why do they shroud behind “concerns and progressive slogans” under the sultanas and veils of priests, nuns, and milk in the mouth of our youth?

Urgello speaking last Tuesday in a public affairs TV program (Republika, 8:10 p.m., Tuesdays under Destiny Cable GNN Channel 8) I host, was Philippine Army commander, “Conqueror of Camp Raja Muda,” and if my facts sound, handled the military operation sans casualties to our soldiers. He is currently Chairman and President of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO). “The NPA integration into the AFP will never work,” Urgello admonishes, “because they are our sworn enemies. They will create an army within our army.”

Alliance for Nationalism & Democracy Congressman Jun Alcover responded to the Sison return and appointment thus, “I and all anti-communist forces will go back into the mountains.” The Tagalog version, stated more colorful. Alcover made such trenchant statement since this would signal the present government pressed to a stalemate in the internal security of the country. And therefore, procure Sison (a Dutch citizen?) to help maintain peace and order under a National Unification Council with the “socialist rejectionist” in the Palace, entering a modus vivendi with the “red affirmists” in Congress? A coalition with the Administration Party for 2013?

“What is happening to us now is no different from what the Nepalese are having,” Alcover warned. Referring to Joma Sison’s meddling in Nepal as peace “consultant,” advising and handing the local communist there, victory in the take-over of government, and the integration of red fighters into the Nepalese Army.

Alcover and Urgello, in unison, voiced grave concern over prospects the Civil Military Operations budget of the AFP removed, as advocated by Satur Ocampo in the last Congress; de-activation of the AFPs National Development & Support Command; plus downsizing of Army units in six years: from 85 Infantry battalions to 54; 31 Brigades to 18; 10 Divisions to 6?