ARMED men wielding high-powered weapons shot at the Arroyo-owned LTA Building in Makati City at dawn this morning, shattering the glass windows of the office of the controversial Villaraza & Angangco law firm whose partners are closely associated with the president and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.
In an emailed statement, a shadowy group of military officers calling itself the “Enlightened Warriors” claimed responsibility for the incident. “This attack symbolizes the widespread frustration and anger among AFP soldiery against the illegitimate and corrupt administration of Gloria Arroyo,” the statement said. The group also said that they were opting for the use of force to topple the the government. “We have just begun,” the group threatened. “We are still a minority... We will openly declare our break from the present illegitimate chain of command at the proper time. We will submit to a new government of genuine reforms supported by the people.”
No one was hurt in the incident , but police investigators found spent shells and two fired bullets of 7.62 mm caliber, which are normally used for Armalites, AK-47s and machine pistols. Investigators also found one spent 40-mm grenade cartridge. Eyewitnesses said that the attack was carried out by men on board a dark-colored sedan parked in front of the bulding on Perea St., in the heart of the Makati business district.
Police chief Gen. Arturo Lomibao and several high-ranking police officers rushed to the building soon after the shooting, which took place at 4:40 a.m. In a press statement, the police said “investigators are looking at possible angles and motives, including anti-government forces, considering the timing and active role of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo during the recently concluded Southeast Asia Games.”
The attack took place at a time when the police was on high alert because of terrorist threats on the U.S. and other foreign embassies. The attackers were apparently conscious of the timing of their attack, on the day the controversial elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano was set to testify in Congress, and of the symbolic value of their target. The LTA Building is owned by the president’s husband who also holds office there. So does the Villaraza and Angcangco law firm whose partners have contributed to the Arroyo campaign and are believed to be influential in Malacanang. The law firm has also acted as counsel for the Arroyo couple. One of its former partners is now defense secretary, another is a Supreme Court justice, and another was until last month the country’s Ombudsman.
Their statement said: “Also known as ‘The Firm,’ corporate and corruption headquarters of the Arroyos, the LTA Building in Makati is the real Seat of Power in the Philippines right now. It is here where the biggest unscrupulous covert deals are made among those in power against the interests of the great majority of people. It is here where money flows-the people’s money transacted as private funds. It is here where every rotten politician and sleazy operator in secret league with the official center in Malacanang line up to get their share of the spoils.”
The group’s existence cannot be independently confirmed. But they said they represented the “overwhelming majority of officers and men who are always ordered about, overworked, underpaid, unrecognized, neglected and made scapegoats of illegal, unjust and immoral commands and evil deeds of some superior officers and top leaders in government.”
Their full statement is below:
Earlier this morning. a group of good men of the Armed Forces carried out an attack against the LTA Building along Perea St. in Makati.
This attack symbolizes the widespread frustration and anger among AFP soldiery against the illegitimate and corrupt administration of Gloria Arroyo.
The attack was carried out despite the so-called full alert status of the Philippine National Police ordered by the PNP chief.
Also known as “The Firm,” corporate and corruption headquarters of the Arroyos, the LTA Building in Makati is the real Seat of Power in the Philippines right now. It is here where the biggest unscrupulous covert deals are made among those in power against the interests of the great majority of people. It is here where money flows-the people’s money transacted as private funds.
It is here where every rotten politician and sleazy operator in secret league with the official center in Malacanang line up to get their share of the spoils.
Today, as we carry out this this attack, we, Enlightened Warriors, declare our presence and issue the following statement:
A Declaration by Enlightened Warriors
December 2005
We are officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who vow to serve God, country and fellow Filipinos. We decided to stand together to make our voices heard and take decisive action.
We are one with the Filipino people. We agonize with them in their daily sufferings under a corrupt, uncompassionate, insensitive and remorseless government. We suffer from high prices, inadequate salaries, stolen insurances and social benefits, and rotten government service.
We hope of reforming the AFP and government. We are inspired by the memory of our fallen fellow soldiers who valiantly stood against corruption and for the interest of the country: Navy Ensign Philip Pestano, 2nd Lieutenant Jessica Chavez, Air Force Captain Panfilo Villaruel Jr. We are illuminated by their spirit and vow to pursue their ideals and make every drop of their blood worth their ultimate sacrifice. We are ready to sacrifice our own lives for the cause.
We have been taught honesty and genuine service. We have, however, seen otherwise: dirty deals, dirty money, dirty jobs in the military, government and politics. We puke at the sight of top officials and bureaucrats enriching themselves at the expense of the majority of the people. We refuse to be devoured by this dirty system. We reject all that is rotten. We vow to hold on to our ideals and declare our transformation into enlightened warriors in the Service.
We speak in behalf of an overwhelming majority of officers and men who are always ordered about, overworked, underpaid, unrecognized, neglected and made scapegoats of illegal, unjust and immoral commands and evil deeds of some superior officers and top leaders in government.
We oppose corruption in the armed forces and in government especially at the highest levels. We believe that the Service should dedicate itself to the interest of the people and not of a few.
We are against any and all forms of tyranny. We believe that the armed forces exist first and foremost to serve and protect the people. We stand against using the armed forces to protect the interests of a few and to silence those who oppose-all in the name of defending the State. We clearly understand that the prevailing unrest among the people is one rooted in the deep-seated political, economic and social problems and should thus be adequately addressed as such.
We are against the illegitimate, cheating and thieving presidency of Gloria Arroyo. We will no longer be mute witnesses and accomplices, witting or unwitting, to the grand theft of the people’s will and the people’s wealth. We will never recognize Gloria Arroyo’s usurpation of the authority of the commander-in-chief, covering up her crimes, scheming and lying endlessly to fool the people and remain in power.
We sympathize and unite with the all those who have tried to resolve the present crisis of governance through the various means provided for by law and by the constitution. We, like them, have deep feelings of frustration as the Arroyo administration keeps on blocking all venues for seeking the Truth. We see no sign that Gloria Arroyo is going to relent and resign-the people and are left with no other choice but to bring it down.
We, too, have exhausted all means within the existing system. We have lodged appeals. We have filed complaints. We have been ignored. We have been bribed, threatened, pushed back and silenced. We have come to the conclusion that no reform in the Service and under the rule of Gloria Arroyo can ever be achieved as long as those on top are the very ones who benefit from its rottenness.
We have come to the conclusion that, together with the people, we can, with the force of arms put a decisive end to Gloria Arroyo’s illegitimate and immoral rule.
We have just began. We are still a minority. We know, however, that majority in the Service agree with us and will eventually join our war against the present rotten Command and administration. We are ready, willing and able to do battle with an illegitimate and immoral command.
We will openly declare our break from the present illegitimate chain of command at the proper time. We will submit to a new government of genuine reforms supported by the people. We are determined to see genuine reforms for the future of our Nation.
We call on all our fellow men and officers in the armed forces and all the Filipino people to rise up as one to bring down the Arroyo regime and help set up an entirely new government of genuine reforms in the soonest time possible.