Is Magdalo's zigzag
shorter than a straight line?

In the world of politics, it is usually the case that a zigzag is shorter than a straight line. In the case of the Magdalo leaders' apology, they may have made too sharp a turn but the militant workers believe they have not turned their backs on their principles.

What is to be criticized of the Magdalo leaders' apology is that they already gave so much while getting little if nothing yet in return. Despite the apology, the government has not categorically promised release for the Magdalo rank and file and more so the leaders.

The Magdalo apology is understandable as tactic, as a compromise to secure the freedom of the incarcerated rebel soldiers, and hopefully the leaders, in order to continue their struggle against the regime and the system in a new way. If indeed their apology is correct in that they were misinformed and misled by their political patrons, all the more they must review and restudy the content and form of their advocacy for reforms in the military and society.

In case the Magdalo soldiers and leaders are released from jail, we enjoin them to integrate with the masses, to learn their problems and engage the people's movement to understand the solutions. The rebel soldiers--who are workers and poor in uniform--and the mass movement must gain confidence in each other and gain strength through a common struggle for social change. ###

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