After 1017, the military’s intervention seems to have shifted from external defense to internal affairs, enforcing the law despite the fact that we are not in a state of martial law nor is there a suspension of habeas corpus.

Today, the military seems to believe it is the decisive factor, one which, as its spokesperson said, "can make or break the government."

That is a dangerous role. If that reflects our military leaders’ thinking, that it is military’s role to intervene and choose the political winners and losers, and is the only one capable of maintaining the presidency and uniting the country, then there is certainly a clear and present danger to our constitutional government.

The military’s role is clearly defined by the Constitution, rather than the military defining it for themselves. And that is its subordination to civilian authority. Its non-partisanship and strict neutrality.

The political opposition is not the real threat to stability. It’s only weapon is its mouth. It is not armed or trained to kill.

While we firmly insist on the constitutional role of the military, we have to be concerned about the well-being of our foot soldiers in the field because the military higherups and political elites appear to them to be taking care only of the generals.

The soldier’s grievances on substandard and inadequate equipage, communications gear, armor, and even rations and boots allotment add up to create a powder keg just waiting to explode. We have a military that has felt neglected and abused, but at the same time is now asserting itself as the only institution that can maintain balance and control in the country.

These are powerful enough reasons why we must make an effort to reach out to them.

We cannot afford a breakdown of dialogue between the policy makers and the military. Already there’s a political deadlock, where the Senate does not talk to the House, and the President does not talk to the Senate. Those of us inclined to open a dialogue with the solders should do so forthwith, if we do not want to become the first casualty in a military takeover. E-mail: edgardo_angara@hotmail.com