Answerable Questions (Updated with Reyes’s ‘unfinished letter’ to the PCIJ)
While everyone is writing solemn essays on whether the Reyes suicide is an act of courage or cowardice or the result of extreme depression, the difficulty of being good in a system shot through with corruption, and whether anyone involved in the ongoing investigation into corruption in the military has the moral authority to conduct such an inquiry, we can ask a few questions that would occur to anyone who’s seen an episode of Law and Order or C.S.I.
1. Is there a suicide note? What does it say?
2. In these cases there is usually a note. Are we sure there is no suicide note?
3. The timing is too interesting. The man made sure he would never speak again. Who benefits from his silence?
* * * * *
THE FINAL WORDS OF ANGELO T. REYES
A warrior comes clean in last battle for honor
BY MALOU MANGAHAS
LATE evening last Feb. 4, Friday, a long-time source suddenly called. Would I be free for brunch the next day, he asked. He wanted to consult me on something important.
We met the next day and he bared his purpose: Angelo ‘Angie’ T. Reyes, the former Armed Forces chief of staff and Defense secretary, wanted to see me so he could tell his story to “an independent journalist” – would I want to interview him? The source happened to be a senior trusted associate of Angie for the last decade or so. . .
Read A warrior comes clean in last battle for honor. Thanks to reader vanilla for the alert.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
February 11th, 2011 at 10:09
suicide notes are not that common. less than 20% of suicide victims leave behind notes. it’s just more “dramatic” to have one such as we see in tv shows and movies.
February 11th, 2011 at 10:34
1. ?
2. ?
3. Probably . . .
a. himself
b. his family
c. his boss
d. his comrades
e. AFP
f. all of the above.
g. But definitely, NOT the Filipino people.
February 11th, 2011 at 11:04
…makes me want to reread Camus’ The Myth of Sysyphus…aside from the fact that it talks about suicide…the myth reminds me of our current state regarding the truth…all effort is futile.
February 11th, 2011 at 11:55
Time to call in Holmes, Poirot, and Grissom. Actually, Mrs. Marple alone would be enough to solve this case.
February 11th, 2011 at 12:09
One thing’s for sure, Reyes has a flair for the dramatic. I didn’t expect a military man had it in him. Why do it out in the open near his mom’s grave? Most people who commit suicide want to keep it quiet, do it alone, keep it clean. Is he a narcissist? Did he do a marathon of gratuitous Hollywood military movies the night before? Sorry Pinoys, I don’t think he did it purely out of guilt. There must be some other rationale. He’s a well-connected, high ranking military man. Being corrupt and propagating a culture of violence wouldn’t even make you blink if you’re being put under pressure for misuse of funds.
February 11th, 2011 at 12:18
I’m sorry. I meant, Miss Marple. Hah.