Wanderlust… to soar in a grand way…

I am the younger sister of an officer in the Philippine army. Though my brother is not from the PMA, by sheer hard work, he has managed to become a ranking official. At this very moment, he is assigned in Lanao, and as an Engineer, he takes charge of roads or building construction somewhere in that region of the Mindanaos. His troops have been doing this to connect far flung areas to the main city. They brave the likelihood of being ambushed by the NPA’s or other extremist groups while they provide their services to the lowly folks of the nether regions. He has been doing this for many years now, after his long stint in military action, battling gun shots with gun shots, when he was just a lieutenant with the Scout Ranger.

My brother is still paying for the monthly mortgage of his house in the province. He is still paying for the educational plans of his two sons. He drives a dilapidated vehicle to bring his kids and wife to the mall or to the park when he is on furlough. Despite times being hard and money not overflowing, he has maintained his integrity and good name. He has raised beautiful and good sons who I have seen are proud of their father’s accomplishment. He obtained his Masteral’s through government grants. He is very thankful. And even if he has very little in terms of monetary returns as a Major in the Philippine Army, I see that he finds abundance in his good name, in the respect of his sons and wife, and the good sleep he gets every night, knowing every day that he does for his country the service that he took an oath to perform.

My brother is not without ideals. When I talk to him, I see the ideals burning in his eyes. Ideals to him mean that his duty is to serve and protect the people. I remember in our younger days of how he truly desired to be part of the AFP because he wanted to carry the military uniform with dignity. And he has done that these past 15 years or so. I have not heard him complain. Not once. Even when he hears stories of other officials getting ahead because of politics. Even when everybody else seems to be getting ahead of him on account of power play.

My kuya had always wanted a simple life. And I think now, I understand where his happiness comes from. It comes from knowing his worth and performing the duty that he has promised to undertake. I wish there were more soldiers like my brother. I have not always told him this, but I am proud to be the little sis of this man whose life effort is focused on living an honorable life so that his kids and wife could be proud of him.

I am angry at officials who appear to be cavalier of their juniors’ loyalty. I am angry that they can be selfish. I do not know their politics. I do not know their grievances. Perhaps they are valid. But the validity of their grievances does not entitle them to call out to people they can use as shields to further their politics or their causes.

My brother has a lot of causes too. But he has managed to fight his “battles” without putting other people’s lives in danger. He is not without battle scars. He has seen his troops killed in the battle front. He himself had almost been killed. Although he has not articulated this, his actions speak volumes- he loves this country regardless of politics or causes.

Grievances have their channels and just because one carries a gun and has the authority to call out to people to carry their guns too, these channels can be overridden. When an employee is removed from office, wrongfully or rightfully so, he cannot just carry arms and shoot at his employer. Why should a military official be allowed to carry his gun and take hostage his country to explain why he was removed from office? I mean no offense. Just posing a question.

Life is not easy. There are injustices in this world that we all have to face. A poor man who does not have money to buy food for his family will not be allowed to take the law into his hands by stealing bread. A farmer who has been deprived of his rightful share of land –despite the CARP law- will not be forgiven if he takes arms and goes to the hills to fight for his rights. Why should the law be any different for a high ranking military official?

What is more unfair is that the troops who gather around to protect the disgruntled military officials- again, no matter how valid their cause may be- are poor sons, husbands and fathers who have families relying upon them for support. They have parents, wives and children who at this very moment worry for their safety. And they stand the chance of dying without the dignity of being called military men who served their country. They stand the possibility of dying in combat not in fulfillment of their oath as soldiers of the State abut as renegades who broke the chain of command. And for what? Do they even understand why they are risking life, limb and honor to fight for a cause that perhaps was not even explained to them? I cannot fault them for feeling for their “fallen” or “aggrieved” comrade. They do not know better.

Can this honorable comrade then return the sentiments and “feel” for his troops? Can he ask them instead to remain loyal to the State and to the Filipino people?

I am not pro-GMA. I too was once a UP activist. I too marched and joined rallies when I was in College. But I sincerely believe now that we cannot keep on storming to the streets every time we feel a clamor for change. Why don’t we start with the man in the mirror if we truly want change? Why don’t we become better students, better sons and daughters, better parents, better employees, better employers, better public servants, better individuals? Then perhaps we would not have to take on the very daunting task of having to change the world because each one has decided to make the change himself.

I thank my kuya for inspiring me to be better, by his example, despite the enormity of such endeavour…