NUMQUAM ITERUM:
The brief story of Marines fighting Brother Marines.
A background on origin of the Phrase "Numquam Iterum". With links to the book KUDETA, produced by the Philippine Center for Investigavite Journalism and also of the RAM (Reform Armed Forces Movement).
"Numquam Iterum!"; "Never again!" This was the title of Brigadier General Eduardo Cabanlig’s speech after the 1989 Coup to the Philippine Congress. Cabanlig was the Philippine Marine Commandant during this time when the 4th Marine Battalion Landing Team defected to the "Reform…Armed Forces … Movement(RAM) side.
The Battalion was scheduled to participate in an amphibious exercise during this time period as it was the Training Battalion while it was at the Philippine Marine Headquarters, Bonifacio Naval Station, Fort Bonifacio, Makati, Metro Manila.
The 4th Battalion was also the Ready Reserve or Counter Coup unit of the National Capital Defense Command on alert for a rumored Coup attempt. Two previous attempts had been made to overthrow the Aqino government by the RAM-YOU made up of the supporters of Col. Honasan (once the head security officer of former Secretary of Defense Enrile) and an alliance of "loyal" supporters of the former President Marcos.
The Battalion’s officers had been infiltrated by the Coup participants that included a member of the Philippine Marine Headquarters staff who was a cousin of Col. Honasan. At the appointed time the Battalion broke through the rear gates of the base using the LVT amtracs that had been assigned to support the Battalion for the scheduled exercise.
They crossed the highway into the Philippine Airforce Headquarters and took control of the base and aircraft. The base was also adjacent to the Manila International Airport. They later moved out to join up with the rebel units from the Philippine Army in an attempt to take the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Here they encountered their fellow Marines from Marine Headquarters and Marine Security and Escort Company who refused to join the Coup. It was the first time for Marines to fight each other. Brother against brother, shed their blood in belief they were doing it for their country.
This unfortunate chapter of Marine history can be read in "Gallant Warriors From the Sea; The Phililppine Marine Corps Today" that features an interview with former Marine Commandant Brigadier General Cabanlig. Two other good books on the subject are Cris Yabes’s "Boys From the Barracks", and "Kudeta" published by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.
After the failed Coup the 4th Battalion was put down by the Marine Commandant for its betrayal not just to the country but to the Philippine Marines’ honor. Its officers were imprisoned in the Marine Brig and held for several years. The enlisted personnel were discharged or reduced in rank to Private if they were allowed to stay in the Marines.
The battalions colors were to have publicly burned. But cooler heads suggested to preserve the colors for the memory of those who had served honorably previous to the coup. MBLT 4's colors were retired and put aside. It would be unfurled again briefly in 1995 when the 10th Battalion was renamed the 4th Battalion. A new image would apear soon after on the Battalion flag that included elements of the 10th Battalion's history with the guidance of the Battalions new Commanding Officer, LtCol. Julna J. Carrillo.With the amnesty granted by the Ramos administration, many of the officers have been able to return to duty and recover their rank with that of their peers. Some Marine Captains involved in the coup are now Lt.Colonels. Hardly any of the enlisted personnel were so fortunate and many have to be content with receiving their full retirement benefits at the least.
Read on "WHERE IS RAM Today" a PCIJ webreport.
As with some news articles, the following has to be taken with a grain of salt to remove some of its inaccuracies. Or the reader can have the ablity to "read in between the lines."
MANILA, Aug. 26 (PNA)
"Never again!"
By Ruben B. Cal
This was the clear message sent across by the Philippine Marines(PM) following wild rumors of a coup d'etat, saying that never again will the elite troops join any attempt to overthrow the present government by force.
"I would like to inform the public that the Marines is a constitutionalist force, protector of the people and we adhere to the chain of command," Maj. Gen. Ponciano Millena, commandant of the Philippine Marines, said in a statement today.
Millena said that the Marines will follow the chain of command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
"When we say the chain of command, this includes the Flag officer in Command (Philippine Navy) to the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Secretary of National Defense, and the Commander-in-Chief who is the president," Millena said.
He said coup rumors have been flying thick and thin, "and mostly the people reporting to me are civilians."
Millena assured that "so long as I am the commandant, the Marines will never participate in such coup attempts."
"This we have effected already in many reforms to our troops and units, a return to the Marine core values, return to basic discipline,loyalty and soldiery," he stressed.
"And all our officers and men adhere to the principles of being defender of the Constitution and adhering to the chain of command,"Millena added.
He said he did not know who are behind the coup rumors, adding that "it might be politically inspired."
The Marine commandant urged the AFP intelligence community to dig deeper into the matter.
On the part of the Marines, he said, "we have alerted our counter- intelligence to be on the lookout should there be any infiltration in our area."
So far, there is none, he said.
It may be recalled that the Marines were one of the main forces of military rebels in six previous failed coup attempts against the government of then President Corazon Aquino in the late '80s.
At that time, the Marines were highly politicized that they were persuaded to join the coup, the last of which was in December 1989.
It was a costly lesson for the tough Marines who are known to fight to the last man in war.
The Marines repented of what they did that after the December 1,1989 putsch, they pledged that never again will they join military adventure such as a coup.
They demonstrated their remorse when they buried to oblivion the flag of one of the Marine brigades who participated in the coup d'etat.
Meanwhile, Millena also welcomed the move by Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado to conduct an investigation on alleged irregularities in the Retirement Service Benefit System (RSBS), a financial institution owned by the soldiers.
"We here in the Marines or in the military per se welcome any investigation or audit that will be conducted of the RSBS, because this is our retirement system. And we have contributed to this system for along time," Millena said. (PNA) DCT/RBC
PNA 08261915
HOME / GW page / INDEX / KUDETA / PCIJ / Balita News Archives