Bandilang Pula
Written by: Anoymous;
Published: Bandilang Pula, Ika-12 ng Pebrero 1971;
Source: Bandilang Pula, Ika-12 ng Pebrero 1971
Markup: Simoun Magsalin.
The Diliman Commune couldn’t have made its mark without incurring the fascist might of the Marcos administration and its loyal stevedores like the neuter Mayor of Manila, the senile Mayor of Quezon City and that CIA bulldog that responds to the howl of Karingal. These executing fascists were ably manipulated and extravagantly lavished by the mainstays of American imperialism in the Marcos Cabinet: Enrile, Abad Santos and Melchor. The propaganda back-up was ably handled by such respected journalists as Doroy Valencia, Leon Ty, Luis Beltran, Maximo Soliven and JD Constantino (representing the Faith). The local front was consolidated by such remnants of the Delaney era as Concepcion Dadufalza, Emerenciana Arcellana (and her husband, of course), Damiana Eugenio, etc., most of whom belong to an elite group popularly known as the Spinster Mafia. Sacristan-support among the studentry was provided by the recalcitrant combo of Ramon Puno, a certain Aliling and a certain Reyes.
Together they sang dissonant choruses to Law and order, condemmcd “student fascism,” claimed the solid support of a vast, invisible sector comprising the so-called “Silent Majority”, directly and indirectly welcomed the military to preserve academic freedom in the University of the Philippines. The unlettered Mayor of Quezon City invoked the right to open a national highway, the Chief of Police asserted that he was merely following a lawful order. The barricades which were put up on the UP campus in sympathy with the striking jeepney drivers were illegal. The justness of fighting American monopoly capitalism and the right of academic freedom cannot be allowed to encroach- upon traffic regulations. The Law is the Law. It may be harsh and even stupid, but it must be obeyed to protect Law and Order. Dura Lex Sed Lex. The only alternative is chaos and anarchy.
Protest must be limited to shouting. It does not involve bothering the riding pleasure of the pampered rich on their way to Maryknoll and Ateneo. The President knows what is best for the country. The floating rate and the increases in oil prices were necessary for economic progress. The people elected him therefore he is acting for their welfare, in their behalf. The masses don’t know any better, they haven’t been to Cornell or Berkeley like Mr. Sicat and Mr. Virata. All the furor and the noise come from subversives out to destroy the democratic way of life pervading in this country. Everybody can protest, why not? So long as they behave, do not create violence and do not advocate the overthrow of the government. The police is there to preserve peace, to see that the people’s rights are protected.
Th Spinster mafia and the sacristans, comprising the vanguard of rectitude and excellence in the University, are protecting the sanctity of Academic freedom. They have kept their maidenheads for such relevant philosophers as Northwhitehead, Newman, Gilson and Thoreau. They have kept the votive lamps burning at Delaney’s Hall, preserved the wisdom of Teilhard de Chardin and Thomas Aquinas. They have endured privations and humiliation in the hands of communists since Violy Calvo met Paeng Salas; they have kept the Faith burning, working silently into the night for a Camelot where girls and boys would pray together again instead of demonstrating aginst such outlandish isms as American imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capiaalism. Things would have been better if the Akoulouthein Kristo wrested the upperhand from the Kabataang Makabayan, had Jun Abbas won over Voltaire Garcia. Then, perhaps, the depths of Palabyab could have been avoided. Baculinao could have gone home to feed his Tamaraws and Manny Ortega would have beaten his illustrious relation to a “Democratic Revolution.”
The Liberation of the University was not without the tales of woes, of massive destruction, of raped spinsters, of grand arson, of fantastic armories, of power-mad lunatics and poor, innocent and terrorized decent citizens, religious laity and goody-goody boys and girls. It was like hearing the fleeing Koumintang forces talking of great famine and a herded, garrisoned people. Student Resistance to the Marcos invasion sent chills down the jelly spines of academic “terrors”, Delaney stragglers and assorted errand boys. They fled to UP Village, headed for ABS-CBN begging the military to please liberate their homelands. They imagined everybody on campus feeling their fears and anger. They wanted everybody freed from the Reign of Terror in burning Diliman.
At Quezon Hall, the liberal President, Lopez, was as usual, subject to the predatory influence of that group that made Alex Fernandez what he appears to be in the quickest possible time, making him the most unpopular whiz kid on record. Malay was deferential, charming; he knew his job. Aprieto (from which blue?) reminded one of the benefactors of Oliver Twist. Oscar Alfonso, one of Alex’s new furniture, drew up the list of responsible people to testify before the Council of the Gods, the gentlemen and lady of the Board of Regents. Naturally, he had to play the Spinster mafia and the Puno kid against the Baculinao fascists. While Lopez played help less, the born shock-absorber of academic abuse, Alex Fernandez pulled the strings, poising upon the beleaguered liberals Majul, Ordonez, Capiz, Laureta, Cuyugan, etc. the morbid thought of that quack Enteng Abad Santos as President of the University; The liberals were quick to manufacture military encirclements and massacres, scaring the commune-dwellers with their good intentions and advice.
When the barricades were finally lifted, the Mafia moved in to play an overkill. They eked out a manifesto and bowed not to go back to their classes unless academic freedom was restored, meaning until the hard line is imposed upon the trouble-makers who disturbed their Rockefeller grants and tea parties. Hans Menzi’s Bulletin was quick to headline the Capitulation. SP threatened to resign in the name of an imminent massacre. The QCPD and the Metrocom were warming up for the Big Kill. Nevertheless, they claimed victory. The kids had been intimidated. Now they can be made to answer for their exuberance and vandalism. Justice must be meted out. Baculinao for robbery, theft, malicious mischief, arson, etc. and mass promotion for the police liberators of Kamia and Sampaguita Halls.
To bad, the kids were not romantic enough to set the place afire, to think they can defend the Commune against the combined forces of the Mafia and the Law. The compromise denied the Establishment of an important victory.
That vindication will have to take some more time. But you can count on the Mafia, the Sacristans and Fred Marcos. There’s nothing more compelling than the belief that you were born to have others, to liberate them from their flirtations with Mao Tse-tung. Long Live Democracy!