The highly touted brotherhood among Philippine Military Academy alumni has never been on full display until the Bautista-Tulfo feud exploded on social media.
The PMAAI went all out and called a press conference announcing their support to their mistah, DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista, a retired Army General who was maligned by radio personality Erwin Tulfo.
PMA alumnus named Nick Sotelo called Erwin Tulfo an ingrate and suffering from amnesia for forgetting that he owed his life to then young Musang officer Rolando Bautista when his speed boat sunk in the Jolo, Sulu as a neophyte reporter. [Link here]
However, it was later debunked as inaccurate by another PMA alumnus in the person of Lt. Col Harold Cabunoc that Sotelo’s FB post. [Link here]
This admirable display of brotherhood among PMA alumni is also put in question by Atty. Bruce Rivera in an open letter published recently.
In the open letter, Rivera posed a rhetorical question to the PMA that if the PMA as an institution and the graduates of the same are willing to protect Sec. Bautista from the tirades of Erwin Tulfo and seek retribution, why can they not do the same for another graduate and their commander-in-Chief from another PMA graduate who has done more harm to the institution?
Rivera reasoned that this is important because for as long as there are rogue elements of the PMA running amuck like a crazy dog, persistently show disregard for the chain of command, there will always be a question and a suspicion of entitlement if the PMA demands respect from a civilian.
Rivera argued this is the same reason the public automatically feel uneasy with martial law because some people feel there is a divide with the military and the civilian authority. While the civilian authority is constitutionally higher than the military, the latter has the guns.
Rivera ended the open letter challenging the PMA to show to the civilians that there is no divide by demanding retribution not only from Tulfo but also from Trillanes.
You may read Rivera’s full FB post below.
To the Philippine Military Academy
I share your disgust with regard to Sec. Bautista but this is the very reason why many people feel a double standard and a sense of entitlement. Yes, a hero is a hero and does not deserve to be maligned but a commander-in-chief is also a commander-in-chief and should be given the proper salutation as President especially from somebody who is also a graduate of the PMA and an elected Senator. Worst, this sorry excuse for a Senator called a former PNP Chief and Senator-elect Ronald Dela Rosa a very derogatory word “amuyong”.
This is not being partisan. This is being just. If Gen. Bato can rightfully take the side of Sec. Bautista along with other batchmates at a time he was being disrespected, why can they do the same and pressure Sen. Trillanes? Yes, there was action by the PMA regarding Trillanes but the persistence of his disregard for proper decorum is actually more harmful to the PMA than the rants of a broadcaster.
You see, many of the Filipinos look at the PMA and see an institution in high regard. We see it as the parent of heroes and patriots who love the Philippines, follow its laws, respect its Constitution and are willing to give their lives in defense of the Filipino nation. And then there is Trillanes. Also a product of the PMA but has no regard for anybody except himself, his family and his partisan views.
And we think.
If the PMA as an institution and the graduates of the same are willing to protect Sec. Bautista from the tirades of Erwin Tulfo and seek retribution, why can they not do the same for another graduate and their commander-in-Chief from another PMA graduate who has done more harm to the institution?
This is important because for as long as there are rogue elements of the PMA running amuck like a crazy dog, persistently show disregard for the chain of command, there will always be a question and a suspicion of entitlement if the PMA demands respect from a civilian.
There is a reason why some people automatically feel uneasy with martial law because some people feel there is a divide with the military and the civilian authority. And even if the civilian authority is constitutionally higher than the military, the latter has the guns.
Hence, let this be my challenge. Show to the civilians that there is no divide by demanding retribution not only from Tulfo but also from Trillanes.
Like an officer and a gentleman.
Bruce Villafuerte Rivera
Salvador Panelo
Martin Andanar
Christopher Bong Go
MannyPiñol
Source: Bruce Rivera