Let Alejano go
The Philippine Navy said Gary Alejano still needs the permission of the military to go to Panatag Shoal even if he manages to secure a clearance from the Coast Guard to do so. Panatag Shoal is a submerged piece of real estate that belongs to the Philippines but has been grabbed by the most shameless and brazen land-grabbers this side of the universe --China.
Always a hothead (he was among the failed military mutineers at Oakwood), Alejano wants to push the issue with China his own way despite the Philippine government's efforts to resolve the matter without going to war. Alejano could not see that at least at Oakwood only he and his fellow mutineers could have lost their lives (they didn't, they chickened out and surrendered).
But if his antics could trigger a war with China, which the Philippines is going to fight alone (the US is not coming to save us despite its infrequent acoustics that it will) and eventually lose, it will come at a terrible cost. Many innocent lives will be lost, not just Alejano's (if he is willing to truly give it up for his country) or that of his family and friends.
Moreover, the Philippines not only stands to lose Panatag, it could lose so more territory, including those that have never been part of the South China Sea disputes. We could, in fact, be overrun entirely by China. And the sad part is that there would not even be a scent or shadow of Alejano to blame our sorry and misbegotten lot on.
But why is Alejano so gung ho about going to Panatag? Is he really that much of a patriot? I do not think so. First, his background as a military mutineer belies his true allegiance to the flag and the many national institutions it represents. Second, he just could not go and do it. He had to call a press conference to announce what he intended to do.
That means a large part of his caper is intended to draw publicity toward his person. Men of real valor and virtue would have resolved to go and just do what they have to do. They do not need to be covered and be reported by media. But to call a press conference or bring journalists in tow, like he and a few hapless cohorts similarly attempted previously, sure smells fishy to me.
I do not think, and so do must the many others who never gave him and his pals a chance in the surveys, that Alejano is doing all of these things out of a deep sense of Filipino pride and patriotism. He must be told that, for the higher interest, it is sometimes best and even more heroic to just shut up and let those whose real job it is to protect the country to go do their job.
Nevertheless, it is also sometimes better to just let certain brash and impulsive characters get their wish. Thus, if it were all up to me, I would let Alejano go and do in Panatag what he can under the circumstances. Maybe he can drop his pants in the direction of China and shit all his unrequited childhood angst out. To humor him, maybe the coral dwellers will vote on May 13.
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