Keep Them Flying

Angelo Reyes, former DENR secretary, former DILG secretary, former DND secretary, former AFP Chief, among others, committed suicide, because of the way senators treated him in their inquiry into the AFP funds mess. This is the view expressed by so many, including his cavaliers from the PMA, newspaper columnists, and many others. Do they really think that senators can make the man; proud, strong, brusque, an achiever and a doer as his peers described him, commit suicide? Sorry, but I don't buy this.

I condole with his family for the loss of a loved one. He was family, and I respect that.

When I first heard the news of his suicide, the first thing that came to my mind was: conscience works.

But then, later on, I rationalized, it could also have been pride. He was such a proud person, too proud to face the impending unearthing of the truth, truth that could demean him and people close to him.

Or maybe it was conscience after all. His conscience just could not allow him to drag his family to the dishonor that he has to face. He loved his family too much, that he won't allow them to sink with him.

The shame that he has to face, and most importanly, the shame that will confront his family, more so of his deceased mother whom he loved so much, in the face of the truth hat has slowly come to fore in the investigation, these I believe, were the main reasons why he decided to end his life.

I pity the man. The truth could set have set him free, but he chose otherwise. Sayang!