By Julius F Fortuna
(The Manila Times - Opinion Section – July 26, 2005)
Brig. Gen. Danilo “Danny” Lim, commander of the Scout Rangers of the Philippine Army, is probably the most credible military officer today. That is why the Palace tapped him on saturday to debunk a report that adventurous young officers have reorganized the legendary Young Officers Union (YOU) that he used to chair. A graduate of the West Point Academy in the United States, Lim is respected in military circles for his idealism, integrity, expertise and bravery.
In December 1989, Lim, along with then Maj. Abraham Purugganan and one Colonel Galvez, led the YOU in a nine-day siege of the Makati business district.
The siege, the most serious threat to the Aquino administration, has a story of its own. Suffice it to say that Lim, Purugganan and Galvez and their men fought the government forces to a draw in a battle that made the headlines all over the world. Lim accepted his punishment with dignity, but a good man cannot be put down forever. Finally, good judgment prevailed among the brass and Lim became a general to lead an elite army force today.
When I had the chance to ask Danny how the Scout Rangers were able to adjust to the city, Danny replied that they imagined the buildings to be mountains whose terrain they are familiar with.
When the YOU issued a statement last week that it was being revived to threaten the government, the Palace press people called Lim from his Bulacan camp to refute the report. Lim obliged, saying that in his talks with the leaders of YOU, there is no more YOU. it has been disbanded long ago. But he also cautioned the government to take care of the officers in the field.
Lim’s statement was corroborated by Diosdado Valeroso, another idealist officer. Valeroso, who was known by his war name, “Captain Maglalang,” even elaborated that the old group of YOU upholds the Constitution, debunking coups as a way of social change.
Should we believe the statements of Lim and Valeroso? Is the YOU really over? we can believe that it has been disbanded, with its members now scattered in various commands. But what of a new group that might emerge from the present crisis? We can never say because each situation produces new rebels and military leaders, and after EDSA 1, the military from top to bottom have been heavily politicized.
