Unrest in the Philippines

I am one of those “civilians (who) see the challenge (of the military rebels) as only a blatant grab for power,” (Richard J. Kessler, Op-Ed Page, Sept. 3).

Kessler fails to take into account that when Marcos instituted martial law in 1972, he elevated the Philippine armed forces to a level of power and privilege it had never enjoyed since U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur organized them in the mid-1930s. In truth, the military establishment became co-rulers with Marcos in a kind of unholy but convenient partnership. When that partnership eventually broke up because of irreconcilable differences between Marcos and Gen. Fabian Ver, on one side, and Juan Ponce Enrile and Gen. Fidel Ramos, on the other, the Filipino people restored civilian rule through Corazon Aquino and the subsequent passage of a new constitution.

Ever since, the military establishment, grown fat, flabby and indulgent from years of governing without checks, balances and accountability, has been unwilling to assume its former subordinate role in the scheme of things. Indeed, mutineers like Col. Gregorio (Gringo) Honasan may be fierce anti-communists, but they know only too well the Maoist dictum about political power emanating from the muzzle of a gun.

MANUEL ROXAS JR.

Glendale