PERSONAL MANIFESTO
I have been staying here in the Academy for
more than 2 years already. As a cadet, It is very important for us to learn the
essence of “take life”. Some people, especially those who did not experience
cadetship at PMA, wouldn’t understand it. Defining “take life” cannot be
squeezed in one single discussion. It takes time and experience for an
individual to fully understand the essence of “take life” and its importance.
Philippine
Military Academy cadets has a common understanding of the latter; but I am
saddened for a fact that some cadets do not really understand its essence. To
me, “take life” is having the courage to do something, without being caught and
most especially, as cadets, without compromising the values and tenets of the
Honor code; that is not to lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate. Let us take for
example the scenario during the mess in the academy. All cadets will agree that
there was this time in their cadetship that they haven’t eaten any of their
rightful shares, due to some extraneous variables that might hinder them from
doing so. Therefore, the last thing that a cadet shall do is to get their share
without getting caught. Question: is that a form of stealing? I believe the
answer is NO, but why? First of all, all cadets have their rightful shares, and
it depends upon a cadet whether or not he/she will consume it. So in the case
of this cadet who “take life” his rightful share, he did not actually violated
any of the tenets of the honor code. There were no stealing happened, because
it is his rightful share, and thus considered as “take life”. He was not caught
doing it, and he has the courage to do it.
Maybe
one of the best thing that an officer of the Armed forces practice is the “take
life”. Why did I say so? In the operations of the AFP, all missions are
classified and confidential. No one must know it except only for those people
who are involved in it. That’s “take life”! Missions are done without the
knowledge of the enemy. Missions are done without informing the enemy. Soldiers
are “taking life” to complete the mission and to avoid of not being caught by
doing it.
The
Armed Forces of the Philippines wants each one of us, especially our family and
loved ones, to sleep sound and safe. “Take life” has so much to do for
achieving this. A good “take life” must not violate any tenets of the Honor
code without forgetting the 2 basics questions, that is: “Do I intend to
deceive? Do I intend to take undue advantage? If I can answer NO to both
questions, then I am doing the honorable thing”.
