Keeping Bato

Keeping General Bato De la Rosa is the right thing to do.

Indeed, Bato has a lot to make up for, especially when it comes to cleaning up his own ranks and rooting these rotten bastards out of their keep [Collective: Demonstrate]. Under the circumstances, removing him from his post would be a rather slippery and reckless proposition. Allow us to explain why.

The continuing war against the drug trade is an extremely messy undertaking. Complex in its moral and political dimensions, yet necessary in order to rid this country of unwanted filth and guarantee the future of succeeding generations [Collective: A Necessary Sacrifice]. As much as it is a fight between good and evil, there are no clean boundaries that delineate black or white in this conflict. Given the weight of our predicament, certain methods are necessitated in order to effectively demonstrate what words and laws cannot. These shades of gray in between are what these rotten elements are taking advantage of in order to (1) surreptitiously continue their crooked ways, and (2) sabotage the significant gains attained by this administration, thus bringing us back to the way things were.

Bato, much like Digong, is far from perfect. His new found fame and popularity, quite sudden and phenomenal compared to his peers in the new government, has created unnecessary distractions that are seriously affecting his performance. He is, after all, human like the rest of us. Despite his rock solid frame and bad-ass moniker, Bato has showed us his charming and amiable side, traits that endeared him to a large section of the populace. Perhaps these diversions serve as much needed therapy for the typically lighthearted General, who has been given the thankless job of purging the country of its dregs.

But enemies lurk within. Naturally disgruntled and dissatisfied with the present dispensation, these rogue elements are capitalizing on Bato's human frailties, working insidiously like termites to dismantle the system from the inside. Tokhang for Ransom is not an entirely new praxis, it is simply a reboot of the old modus known as Hulidap, upgraded and repackaged to blend with the times. As the plot thickens, there seems to be evidence that points to the complicity of Marcelo Garbo, one of the narco-generals named by the President during the onset of the campaign.

There is a great possibility that this could be an act of sabotage. Crimes committed under his very nose by no less than policemen would effectively undermine Bato's leadership, putting into question his competence and dedication. Perhaps, that is what the enemy is wanting to achieve all along. With Bato gone, it would be far easier to destroy the structure from within.

Bato may have had some lapses, but it is never too late. He cannot allow these rogues and scalawags to wipe out what he has impressively accomplished in the past six months. Aside from the President himself, no other public official displays the requisite conviction and political will to see this battle through the finish. The last thing we need are hollow mouthpieces or pencil pushers in this kind of struggle. We need tough and battle tested guys like General Bato who are willing to get down and dirty to rid the earth of these scumbags who poison and pollute our streets. If you are shit deep in the trench or in a skirmish and all hell is breaking loose, who would you want beside you? The nerdy dude with the bullhorn or the Rambo guy with the bazooka and the machine gun?

Bato's popularity and common touch are likewise integral, as this campaign requires the cooperation and support of the entire population. Public trust is important in boosting police morale, so he has to do everything to maintain that trust in order to keep the edge and sustain the momentum.

Most importantly, General Bato's heart is in the right place. And that makes up for whatever blunders he may have had which can quickly be rectified now that he got a much needed slap in the face.

We are at war. Bato should now fully realize that he cannot be lenient. That he has to be watchful at all times, unblinking, unforgiving. His days of watching concerts and boxing matches must come to an end, that is if he wants to survive.

Bato must retain his focus. Not only is he battling with enemies from the outside, he also has to look after his own backyard. This war is dirty. The last thing he can expect from the enemy is to fight fair and square. They will stop at nothing and use everything in their power to inflict utmost damage and break the ranks.

Bato has to set a clear example so this will not happen again under his watch. He has to send a singular message to these bastards that will defy any and all interpretation.

He needs to demonstrate. The whole country is at stake.