Two distinguished personalities- Representative Marcelino Libanan and former Secretary Norberto Gonzales- guested in the quarterly AGFO Forum held at the AGFO Center on February 28 and May 9,2023, respectively. Some 50 members and selected guests from General Headquarters attended both events.
Congress Minority Floor Leader, Rep. Marcelino Libanan presented his views on what he termed as Calculated Neutrality in US-China-Philippines Relations. He argued that the brewing regional conflict with Taiwan as trigger should simmer down to avert violent confrontation by resolving the differences through diplomatic channel. During the open forum, many members stressed that we have a defense treaty with the US and obligated to abide by it. They cited that it is not the Philippines that disturbs the freedom of navigation in South China Sea nor disregards the UNCLOS, especially the 2016 Arbitral Ruling pertaining to the West Philippine Sea. Congressman Libanan took notes of the comments from the audience and took the opportunity to renew acquaintances with some members he worked with in the past who attended the forum.
Sec. Norberto Gonzales spoke about emerging national security challenges especially with the diminishing threat from the communist terrorists, the Taiwan dilemma and the frequent intrusions of China in the West Philippine Sea. He said it is difficult to make an accurate strategic assessment given the volatility, unpredictability, complexity and ambiguity of the security environment. He encouraged instead, the audience to ask questions and their personal views about the prevailing security concerns and imperatives.
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On the electoral process, LGen Ed Adan inquired about the possible fraud to which Secretary Gonzales revealed that election irregularity happened in 2010. He attributed the anomalies to failure of electoral parties to come out with genuine platforms that would benefit our people. He added that most politicians choose their political parties for convenience and are considered irrelevant. Commo Francisco Tolin also asked about the country’s economic strategy to which the resource speaker responded that the poor lacks participation and the divide has widened throughout the years. He cited corruption, perpetuated mostly by politicians, as one the reasons why our economic strategy is hard to implement. LGen Ernesto Carolina, on the other hand, queried on how to transform the government and the speaker gave a short and concise answer: Very difficult… short of revolution. Gen Rodolfo Biazon asked the speaker on the latter’s assessment of the ASEAN’s regional security thinking and actions. Secretary Gonzales responded that the decision making of the ASEAN is by consensus and thus cannot be relied upon; hence, we must endeavor stand alone and make ROTC mandatory for defense purposes. |
MGen Edgard Arevalo commented that US is our only defense ally and it should be made clear to the people. He added that as an ally we must be willing to contribute. And he supports the revival of a robust ROTC program. MGen Marlou Salazar and BGen Resty Aguilar called for demolition of the Bantayog ng mga Bayani, erected in UP compound, that features members of the left during the 70s and 80s.
