February 24, 2006 · Posted in: In the News
Who is Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim?
MALAYA columnist Romeo Y. Lim wrote about then newly promoted Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim in his April 22, 2005 column, heaping praises on the military officer who has "consciously chosen to live a simple life dedicated to serving his country and people." General Lim is under military custody for his supposed role in a destabilization attempt against President Arroyo.
Following is Romeo Lim’s piece (reprinted with Malaya’s permission):
I want to take time out today to write about a man I greatly admire. It may be biased, but I have no apologies. In these times of endless shenanigans perpetuated by people who are supposed to serve our country and people, this man shines as a small candle in a sea of callousness and indifference.
The roots of newly promoted Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim can be traced to Xiamen, China, formerly Amoy. His father married a girl from Bohol but Danny, as he is called by both friends and detractors, was born and raised in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. He is the youngest of five brothers.
He finished elementary and high school in Solano with flying colors. He was in his first year at UP when he took the entrance exams to the Philippine Military Academy. He topped the exams.
While a plebe, he took the entrance exam to the US Military Academy at West Point, one of the world’s premier military academies. He topped the exams.
After graduation, he returned to the country, took the Scout Ranger Course where he graduated not only No. 1 but also led his team in registering the only encounter of the class during their test mission. He opted to be assigned to Jolo after that. He commanded the forward Recon Unit of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division in Sulu where his name became a byword due to his combat exploits. He was wounded twice in combat.Then AFP chief Gen. Romeo Espino noticed this officer and promptly directed GHQ to transfer then Lt. Lim to his alma mater, PMA, for instructor duty. He stayed for a few years then packed his bags again for the US to take up the Advanced Infantry Course at the Infantry School in Fort Benning, Georgia. He not only topped the course but was also awarded the Distinguished Allied Student Award for that year. When he returned, he joined the First Scout Ranger Regiment as chief of operations.
In 1989, then Capt. Lim led the Makati siege that lasted seven days. The failed coup attempt resulted in his incarceration for two years. He was released during the Ramos administration after the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between government and the military rebels. He was a member of the RAM-SFP-YOU peace panel in the negotiations.
Moving on with his life, Lim took the Command and General Staff course which he again topped. He ran off with seven of the eight awards given by the school. Only the physical fitness award called the "Tarzan Award" slipped through his fingers and was given to a much younger officer.
He later commanded the 42nd Infantry Battalion where he again made a name for himself for the various combat accomplishments of his unit. He also endeared himself to the Bicolanos in Camarines Sur where his battalion was based.
He then became deputy commander of the First Scout Ranger Regiment and later regiment commander.
BGen. Lim is married with a daughter still in high school. Despite all his achievements and accolades, this soft-spoken and modest officer does not have his own house yet — in direct contrast to his siblings who occupy senior positions in huge corporations (also in direct contrast to some AFP officers we know). He has consciously chosen to live a simple life dedicated to serving his country and people.
In six years, he will be bowing out of the military service.
I take my hat off to this officer and gentleman whose values and principles seem to be dying traits in this mess of an AFP. We need more people like him if we are to even hope to lift our country out the quagmire it is in.
So today, I greet all the other people who are not like BGen. Danilo Lim: Mabuhay ang mga kurakot sa gobyerno ni GMA!
25 Responses to Who is Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim?
INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » Three generations of military rebels
February 24th, 2006 at 11:01 am
[…] Military authorities say that one of the alleged leaders of the destabilization attempt was Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, the bemedalled chief of the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment and a veteran putschist. As an army captain in 1989, Lim led Scout Rangers in a weeklong seige of the Makati commercial district. He was also a leader of the Young Officers Union or YOU, formed in 1988 by young officers, mainly from the old Philippine Constabulary and the Army Scout Rangers, who had become disgruntled with the leadership of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement or RAM and its string of failed coup attempts against the Aquno government. […]
jonathan
February 24th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
That’s the problem in the Philippines, people in the media lionize people who espouse violence. Gen. Lim is indeed a brilliant military man but his values are placed wrongly. Violence will not solve the country’s ills. It will only aggravate it. The struggle for reforms is a struggle for everybody. But, we have to do it in conformity with the rule of law. It may not be perfect but that’s the way civilized socities operate. Unfortunately for him, he thinks he can change the system by extralegal means. That is an act of desperation. History is replete with brilliant people with messianic complex. Sayang.
rego
February 24th, 2006 at 1:46 pm
Agree!
indio_lawless
February 24th, 2006 at 2:21 pm
That’s also the same problem that faced glue-ria and the generals who turned themselves from the rule of the law years ago to right a wrong thru extralegal means…errr…according to reyes then —-“intra-contstitutional means”.
Now look what they do to themselves.
schumey
February 24th, 2006 at 3:39 pm
That’s the irony of it all, the “CHEAT” was installed by the very People Power she now suppresses. Talagang what goes around comes around.
jonathan
February 25th, 2006 at 12:44 am
people power and military coup are totally different fellows, people power is an exercise of freedom of expression. a military coup involves the use of force ala RAM and You/Magdalo soiress.
Gen Lim was supposed to march with his troops and withdraw support to Gloria. Unfortunately for him, he is only in the minority and people are not really cool to any destabilization attempts right now when we are just starting to improve the economy. It is outright stupid to rock the boat on the onset of an economic boom.
long71
February 25th, 2006 at 2:47 am
i think youre the one who is outrightly stupid and naive to think that were on the onset of an economic boom? maybe an minor economic boom for a tiny minority if thats what you mean.
richie
February 25th, 2006 at 3:30 am
Ohhh SO HE IS SMART…ring… ring… ring…HEY BOSS, im calling b’coz i want to lunch coup de etat against our boss……Ohhh so your the plotter ha…..ST….UP….ID…..When can we learn people….Our country will never step forward if there’s people like him…..
scud_1975
February 25th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
Once a coup plotter, always a coup plotter.He should channel his energy in helping our kababayans in Leyte, people power will not materialize..mga taga Metro Manila lang na may pansariling interes ang may gusto nyan. These people had their chances, Aquino had her shares of “kudeta”,nag resign ba sya? Ramos had the support of the military, Erap had the support of the masses..gumanda ba buhay ng mga Pilipino sa kanila? and now who’s next..sino nman gusto nila ipalit?
INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » Three military officials taken in for questioning
February 25th, 2006 at 4:09 pm
[…] Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim is also now under the custody of the Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio. The Philippine Army told media that members of the elite force or the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment under Lim denied any involvement with the destabilization plot against the administration. They gave their word that "they will not embark in such adventurism," the Army assured. […]
tiradpass
February 26th, 2006 at 2:54 am
With a brilliant mind like Gen. Lim asking his chief-of-staff to join him in a coup is like asking permission from your superior before violating the chain of command. Even after Senga’s refusal, Lim still has the audacity to proceed with this plan is totally outrageous. Could it be that the Generals and those in Malacanang has fallen into a trap in calling the bluff of Gen Lim and the rest of the gang. It has been said that, what the destablizers failed to accomplished in terms of political and economic repercussions, the declaration of state of national emergency has done this with impunity. We can now expect an escalation of events that will eventually lead to its final conclusion.
INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » Marine standoff an internal matter for AFP to resolve — Malacañang
February 26th, 2006 at 9:25 pm
[…] Among those named in the three-page document, aside from Ocampo and Querubin, were former congressman Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco, brother of former Pres. Cory Aquino; Pastor ‘Boy’ Saycon; Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim; and Chief Supt. Marcelino Franco of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF). […]
boydevon
February 27th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Gen. Lim, di kaya sumasakit ulo ni MW Ebdane sayo?
talagang ganyan pag alam mong tama ang ginagawa mo, ituloy mo lang, kuyang.
you’re indeed a worthy brother!
3zz-fe
February 27th, 2006 at 2:16 pm
ALL THAT IS NECESSARY FOR THE TRIUMPH OF EVIL IS THAT GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING! – Edmund Burke
penpenpen88
February 27th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
by jonthan
That’s the problem in the Philippines, people in the media lionize people who espouse violence. Gen. Lim is indeed a brilliant military man but his values are placed wrongly. Violence will not solve the country’s ills. It will only aggravate it. The struggle for reforms is a struggle for everybody. But, we have to do it in conformity with the rule of law. It may not be perfect but that’s the way civilized socities operate. Unfortunately for him, he thinks he can change the system by extralegal means.
— its been 20 years since people power one.. what have we done so far in terms of following the conforming to the law?? much i think.. and what have we to show for it?? much din ba? food for thought…was gloria thinking bout conforming with the constitution when she siezed power from erap? So in effect what right has she to accuse someone of being a destabilizer when she herself was one?? wht she did ws coupd’tat plain and simple.. but was she punished for it?? what pisses me off lng is the way they tend to bend the law to suit their purposes.. ganun ginawa nila sa impeachment ganun ginawa nila to evade senate inquiries.. all the while millions of our money been squandered under our noses on illegal government transactions that DONT BENEFIT US… NOW IS THaT FaIR? IS THaT JUST?
That is an act of desperation. History is replete with brilliant people with messianic complex. Sayang
— agree like the one sitting at malacanang now..n for the life of me i dont get why someone would be so concieted as to tell the whole nation that only she can save it from its dire situation.. messianic complex nga di b?
INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » Government crackdown intensifies
February 27th, 2006 at 8:46 pm
[…] The list, however, does not include Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, who the military said was a leader of the aborted attempted "withdrawal of support" from the Arroyo government that took place last Friday. Also excluded from the list is Col. Ariel Querubin, the commander of the 1st Marine Brigade, who admitted in yesterday’s standoff at Fort Bonifacio that he had intended to join last Friday’s protests. […]
INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » ‘People power in conjunction with the military’: AFP on Left-Right plot vs. Arroyo
March 3rd, 2006 at 12:54 pm
[…] The military component, which would supposedly include the Marines, army infantry units and armored elements, would allegedly be under the command of one "Nikkie," reportedly the code name for Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, who is in military custody for his supposed role in last Friday’s attempted coup. Lim was to be the ground commander of the military attack, according to the AFP. […]
floyd
March 9th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
i dont understand gen. lim care to expound more?
Danilo Lim - Page 2 - noypi.org - Eh kasi Pinoy!
July 7th, 2006 at 11:47 am
[…] You can read more about General Lim at INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories ? Who is Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim? __________________ Join the isulong seoph collaborative project today! If we win, all contributors will share in the prize. Plus, win or lose, we shall create the most complete online dictionary covering Pilipino and all Philippine dialects. If interested, please PM me for details. noypi trial advertisement program […]
seth yorac
July 15th, 2006 at 3:12 pm
brig.gen.lim,
i wasnt expecting that we would not be able to talk and see each other again since last year.well just continue on what you are doing and there is still the SILENT MAJORITY at your back.
THE UNIVERSE IS NEUTRAL…….
SETH YORAC
INSIDE PCIJ » Military rebellion for beginners
July 29th, 2006 at 5:16 pm
[…] The list of rebel groups includes the Reform the Armed Forces Movement or RAM, which led several failed coups against the Aquino government and its offspring, the Young Officers Union or YOU. One of the YOU leaders, the Scout Rangers general, Danilo Lim, is implicated in last February’s attempt to unseat President Arroyo. Also on the list is YOUNG, which stands for the Young Officers Union New Generation, the even younger version of YOU. […]
mac.bh
January 23rd, 2007 at 7:04 pm
simple logic lang. In any ideology of politics, it does not matter if right or wrong, what important is it succeed! If you failed you are doomed, if you suceed you are brilliant! If you are the oposition you are suppose to be the check and balance, but once the opposition become the majority it is now the one to be watched.
So wag na kayong magtaka, ganyan talaga ang politika, magulo, what it count is the end result. No matter what you must succeed to be brilliant! otherwise you are doomed!
So hindi na dapat pagusapan ang tama at mali.
Ellen Tordesillas » Blog Archive » Rise up and be counted!
November 28th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
[…] the eve of Brig. Gen. Danny Lim’s appearance at the Makati Regional Court hearing (Nov. 29, Thursday, 9 a.m.) on the so-called Oakwood […]
The Daily PCIJ » Blog Archive » Arroyo’s legitimacy: An issue that simply won’t go away
November 29th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
[…] die is cast,” declared Brigadier General Danilo Lim, saying that now is the time to “end the sufferings and miseries inflicted upon us by the […]
The Buzzerbeater
December 1st, 2007 at 6:26 pm
[…] Manila Peninsula coup d’etat spearheaded by recently elected Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, General Danilo Lim and other Magdalo officials, which […]