[Philippine's human rights violations] Martial Law Diaries, and other papers [corruption in the Philippines] #8/218

This simply does not exist. The best indicator is the way he has surrounded himself with an almost impenetrable wall of bodyguards to the extent that he has lost contact with his people and with reality.

7 JAN

There has been a proliferation of printed material (from reformist quarters) asking the people to vote “No” in the plebiscite. Meanwhile, TV and radio are going full blast telling the people the opposite view — to vote “Yes” (which is not surprising with media under government control). Despite overpowering government propaganda, my hunch is that people will rejectthe MC in a plebiscite. Only trouble is that I’m sure there won’t be any plebiscite. I just told the folks in UPH and they were rather skeptical about my conclusion. Well, let’s just wait and see what happens.

The people simply hate FM so much that they refuse to believe that the satrap would deprive them of their only chance to boot him out of power. Their last remaining hope, so they say. I’m afraid the people are in for the biggest disappointment in their lives. What this means is that we can now see a build-up and development of a revolutionary situation in this country. The jettisoning of the plebiscite hastens the politicization of the majority of the people which is a big factor in the struggle.

8 JAN

Following up retirement papers. After having made a number of difficult decisions in life, I consider my decision to retire from the service as no problem at all. Matter of fact this has been one of the easiest decisions I’ve made in my life. Why? The answer is simple — incompatibility!I just couldn’t imagine myself playing an active role supporting a dictatorial government that exists, not by the will of the people, but through sheer force, terrorism, intimidation, coercion and duplicity.

The AFP has betrayed the Filipino people. There are those who bask in the glory of FM’s New Society at the moment. But history and

future generations of Filipinos will render the proper verdict on these men whom I consider as the new class of traitors in our country’s history.

I took my oath of commission to defend the Constitution, not the unlawful and unconstitutional acts of a man in power at the moment.