February 6, 2006 · Posted in: Edsa Special, Podcasts
Edsa 20/20: Bernabe ‘Kumander Dante’ Buscayno
‘EDSA was like a new dawn for me’
Kumander Dante, the legendary founder of the New People’s Army (NPA), was rotting in a Marcos prison in Camp Crame when People Power broke out in the streets just outside his cell. Freed from detention after Marcos fell, Dante and other communists took a stab at electoral politics, running for the Senate in 1987. He lost, and was nearly killed not long afterward when unknown men fired at his vehicle. He has since returned to farming in Capas, Tarlac, the birthplace of the NPA. He no longer believes in the primacy of armed struggle.
In this podcast, Vinia Datinguinoo talks to Ka Dante. Listen here.
Length: 00:25:27
File size: 17.4 MB
7 Responses to Edsa 20/20: Bernabe ‘Kumander Dante’ Buscayno
ryebosco
February 6th, 2006 at 11:45 am
In this interview, Rye Bosco talks to one of the survivors of EDSA 1986–Corruption.
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Rye Bosco:
Mr. Corruption, what was it like during the final days of the Marcos regime?
Mr. Corruption:
Nasa Malacanang ako, invited guest ni Presidente nung nag swear-in siya. Napaka saya, maraming pagkain, caviar, champagne, mga biglang yaman na nangurakot sa bansa…fiesta talaga at kumanta pa nga kami ng “Dahil Sayo” sa balkonahe tapos ang daming mga bayarin na tao sa labas para makita ng bansa na si Marcos talaga ang dapat na pangulo.
Rye Bosco:
What happened the night you were evacuated from Malacanang Palace?
Mr. Corruption:
Naiyak ako. Hindi ko talaga malaman kung bakit nagawa sa akin ‘to ng taong bayan. Mabilis ako nag empake. Lahat ng dapat kung dalhin nadala ko salamat sa Dios. Ang aking mga kaibigan na ligtas at ang aming karapat dapat na kayamanan ay naihakot din–mga newly minted Pesos, gold bars, etc.
Rye Bosco:
Twenty years na nung napatalsik ka at ang iyung matalik na kaibigan–the late President Marcos…you’re thoughts on this.
Mr. Corruption:
I am very happy. Nakabalik ako sa aking mahal na bansa. Pati ang aking ibang kaibigan nakabalik na rin at sila ay nasa entertainment, business and politics so God really blessed us and proved that we were innocent all along. Salamat talaga sa panginoon kasi I am in business once again along with my other friends so balik sa dati. As long as ang mga tao eh duwag o tanga o walang pakialam sa amin, then I will survive. I will also see to it na ilibing ang dating Presidente Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani.
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More interviews from Rye Bosco later on.
benign0
February 6th, 2006 at 1:11 pm
Here is benign0 continuing the interview:
benign0:
So what is it about the Philippines that keeps you coming back for more?
Mr. Corruption:
I love the people and the people love me! Aside from this, mahilig mag-yabangan at mag-lamangan ang mga Pinoy sa kapwa nilang Pinoy. So Pinoys are very prone to the ravages of excessive consumerism to satisfy yung pangangailangan nilang mag-pasiklab — using stuff they could hardly afford — the latest celphones, luxury cars, tacky jewelry, and P80-to-P120-per-cup coffee in the top brand-for-gullibles cafe: Starbucks.
Because of this cycle of yabang and taste for luxury and consumer non-durables to maintain this veneer of trendiness, siyempre kelangan ng alternative sources of income. That’s where Yours Truly comes into the picture. 😉
benign0:
Akala ko ba, maka-pamilya ang mga Pinoy?
Mr. Corruption:
Like all good concepts, Pinoys also practice a perverted version of family-first philosophy. It’s called NEPOTISM. Busines partner ko yan e. Where there is Nepotism, there is Corruption. If you think about it, the Philippines is ruled by a handful of dynasties that still practice the old medieval rules of feudalism. They pretty much use Government and the bird-brained politicians who head Government as a rubber stamp for their lucrative hobbies. Again, that’s where Yours Truly comes in.
benign0:
And what about the ordinary Pinoys?
Mr. Corruption:
While the Elite use corruption and nepotism clearly to their benefit, I think ordinary Pinoys practice it too thinking that they ultimately profit as well. However, in the bigger scheme of things olats talaga ang mga masang Pinoy. Because ordinary Pinoys are also nepotistic and regionalistic, they are hopelessly fragmented and unable to provide a unified stand against pretty much anything. Kaya nga they are chronic suckers for the bu11shit dished out by our politicians e (not to mention the half-truths published by the Media — the information dissemination machinery of the elite). Because they do not trust their peers (and often blindly follow the archaic advise of their tribal or clan elders), they latch on to the edicts of the elite.
benign0:
So paano ba yan? Looks like you’ve found a permanent playground…
Mr. Corruption:
Can’t complain, dude. Masarap talaga dito sa Pilipinas! Laki kita, mura pa labor. No matter how much warm bodies you export, there is a whole human production machinery at work 24/7 sa riles ng tren. Endorsed pa yan ng simbahan niyo! 😀 Di mauubusan ng customer ang San Miguel at P&G. Lalo na yung mga manufacturer ng Skin Whitening Lotion. Maybe one-day mag-mura din ang internet access para dumami din ang maka-basa sa PCIJ. Siguro balang araw, magiging major shareholder din ang mga Taipan sa PCIJ at kikita na rin ito tulad ng Philippine Star at INQ7.net sa kaka advertise ng skin-whitening lotion.
naykika
February 6th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
We just tried about everything. Ka Dante had his own Idea of turning the country for the better that one failed too. I think those who did attempt before him and aft have a mix intentions, some good and some bad. The good turn bad as soon as it smells the blood and turn itself into voracious vampire sucking every drop. The bad, well after the blood run dry, turn and sucks itself. Translation :Unfettered Corruption
koj
February 7th, 2006 at 2:46 am
Thank PCIJ for Ka Dante’s podcast…Ka Dante is a good man and speaks from his heart! Peaceful and serene, he is worth emulating!
ipe
February 7th, 2006 at 8:25 pm
Very profound. Ka Danta, galing!!!
Zamboanga :: Local News » Blog Archive » GMA opens week-long Iloilo Dinagyang festival
February 8th, 2006 at 11:26 pm
[…] EDSA was like a new dawn for me Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Philippines – Feb 5, 2006… The bishops are not satisfied with GMA s governance because of the lying, cheating, stealing and covering-up. It is short of telling … […]
michaelericc
February 10th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
I have done reasech on peace negotioations betweeen CPP-NPA-NDF and the GRP. Reading from documents and pronouncements of the CPP leadership, particularly Jose Ma. Sison, the communist still looks at armed struggle as THE means to achieve the communist objectives. I wonder if Ka Dante, who does not anymore share this view, has exerted effort to explain to his former comrades that this should not be the case. I do hope that his former comrades in arms will see light as Ka Dante. I personnally believe that struggle must continue to institute reforms to our nation, but using arms would defeat the purpose.
Could Ka Dante be willing to be the lead advocate against armed struggle?