HOW THE GUARDIANS CAME INTO EXISTENCE BRIEF HISTORY Little did then constabulary MSG LEBORIO M. JANGAO JR. know that when he tattooed his 11 subordinates on the Maundy of 1976, he had already written his name on the pages of Philippine Military history. The tattoo which he and his Diablo Squad shared as a sign of comradeship, were now being shared not only by the soldiers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Police of the Philippine National Police more so by the civilian population from all sectors and strata of society. After that three(3) months long successful operations, the personel of 57th first PC Company, PC Battalion were sent to enjoy their 15 days R&R (rest and recreation). Thereafter, when Col. Medina decided to established a detachment in Mount Kidama, to sustain security for basic social services so as to maintain the area to the side of democracy, Col. Medina designated Jangao as the Detachment Commander of a small unit. Considering that ANITOS was already disbanded of which all his classmate under him were given respective teams to lead, Jangao formed his second 12 man squad and was given the toughest and abusive men in the 57th first PC Company, 57th PC Battalion it was the best Military Battalion in 1974 and 1975 and recipient of two presidential Streamer Award by President Ferdinand Marcos and with instructions from Col. Medina pulled out 11 merciless men from the PC Stockade, to man the new installed PC Detachment in Barangay Kidama. When this young man, known as Django with his new group were assigned to established a PC Detachment in Kidama, a remote and lonely place South of Parang, Cotabato, now Maguindanao, it was then that the Diablo Squad was conceived by then Sgt. Leborio M. Jangao Jr. PC now a Police chief Inspector of Philippine National Police. Jangao in his idea to keep his men work as a team and to boost their morale for them to fight dauntlessly, he decided t name his team as DIABLO SQUAD composed of fearless men. In order to bind themselves, strongly committed to each other together, they decided the words DIABLO SQUAD be tattooed on their shoulders as a sign of solidarity and oneness. From a twelve (12) man Diablo Squad only one of his subordinates refused to be tattooed, he formed 26 years ago. Hence, the original members were only eleven PC soldiers of the 57th first company. They tattooed the DIABLO SQUAD in such a way that it will form a pyramid with their pseudonym at the bottom of the pyramid shaped tattoo with the year 76 on top of the ascending word DIABLO and the descending word SQUAD and their corresponding on the center of the triangle. At that time, JANGAO had no other idea in mind but to show their solidarity as a team, to show that they are cohesive to reckon with as a fighting machine of the 57th first PC Company with a thought for survival but ready to die for and depense of Kidama from any enemy attack, the Blackshirts and Barracuda then that was already of that time formed into MNLF. Aware of his power and potentials of his group, JANGAO himself made strict rules to follow the Chain of Command to prevent ambitious and adventurous young military and police officers from using the group as a leverage in grabbing power and gaining influence. They have no plans to supplant the entire Armed Forces and National Police and its organization, it’s setup and other structures. They are simply a fraternal organization promoting oneness among soldiers and police, in fact, the GUARDIANS as stated in its Constitution and By-laws, was organized simply to strengthen the social, intellectual, spiritual and material welfare of all its members. Their records and activities are open for everyone to see for themselves if they are violating any criminal and civil law, even the Articles of War. The origin of the GUARDIANS was known as the Diablo Squad composed of eleven (11) original members. The Diablo Squad now Guardians was organized on the Holy Thursday of April 15, 1976, in a remote PC Detachment in Barangay Kidama, Parang, Maguindanao at the height of the military’s offensive against the Muslim separatists, Jangao’s Diablo Squad literally became the 57th first PC Company’s fearsome hunter-style unit, somewhat a chop of American film “Dirty Dozen” namely: ABRAHAM, ALAS, PERCIVAL,HALCON,ZEUS,ALVARO,BRIX,DOMINO,AZUL,JERICO,KRISANTO. On August 1978, when Jangao’s group were all reassigned in the local command. Come of his men were assigned to other provinces in Mindanao, while he was transferred to Iligan City. The DIABLO SQUAD of Jangao remained as it is until 1980 because of lack of communication. The idea of reviving the group came to Jangao’s mind in the Maundy of April 1980 after series of fire fight between and among personnel in uniform from all braches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and PC/INP. The worst of it, when a company of rangers raided, the PC Metrodiscom Headquarters after a ranger soldiers got into trouble with a PC soldiers in one of the City’s Beerhouses. At that time, Jangao recalled, fighting between soldiers especially among different branches of services was a regular incident. The rift among soldiers worsened when PC soldiers began shooting down Army soldiers while Marines slugged it out with Navy men and Air Force soldiers. There was a time when a group of PC men would hunt down a group of PC soldiers too. As a confirmation of growing conflict between men in uniform, a military Police Brigade was formed by the AFP and distributed its company units in the different cities all over the country. The soldiers made for them hard because they would not only face separatists and communists in the hills but would contend with fellow soldiers in the city. From a bond of 15 PC enlisted men, together with the others; one INP, one ARMY, and one Military Police of which recruited, Jangao again revived the Diablo Squad and founded the DIABLO SQUAD CRIME BUSTER. “DIABLO connotes Dauntless, Ingenuous Advocator of the Banner, Liberty and Oneness. In tagalog “Ang Matapang, Matapat, na Tagapagtanggol ng Watawat, Kalayaan at Pagkakaisa” the acronym DIABLO was derived from the prestigious Devils Brigade of the Allied Force during the World War II but in the heart and mind of the Diablo Squad members, dwells the angelic spirit and noble intention to institute reforms and regeneration of the men in uniform particularly the military and police in order for them to become true protector of the lives and limbs of the Filipino society and citizency. Most of the members he recruited during that time were lower ranked abusive soldiers from Sergeant down to Constable First Class. Anticipating the nationwide expansion of the organization and to established strong partnerships with the civilians and government men, Jangao formed the Advisory body known as the Magic Group composed of magic 7, two fiscals and five (5)lawyers MAGIC the meaning of which is “Magistrate Advocator of Grievances and Impotent Citizen or in tagalog “Mahistradong Tagapagtanggol ng Kaapihan at Walang Lakas na Mamayan. Many of his fellow Sergeant, even Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO’S), thought that his group was another foolishness especially his target of recruitment are those abusive military and police personel. But as soon as he explained to them the real motives of the group, it’s rules and regulations and the good things, one could get from joining the group, many soldiers and police signing up. As a result, while more soldiers and police joined the group, the frequency of fighting between soldiers in the city slowly diminished. As in the first original Diablo Squad, in Kidama, again Jangao in Iligan City, founded the Diablo Squad Crime Buster (DSCB) with vision to create a fraternal organization within the military and police organizations with the civilians counterpart. The DIABLO SQUAD CRIME BUSTER with the Magic Group now, generally known as GUARDIANS were originally formed by fourteen 14 enlistedmen, and seven 7 lawyers. By the end of 1980, Diablo Squad’s membership grew to 500 in the city of Iligan with three 3 Commissioned Officers namely: Capt. Gil “SGF LAPULAPU” Taojo, Capt. Anastacio “SGF PATTON” Labitad and Lt. Lelia “SGM AMAZONA” Buala. By 1982, during the first convention of its members at Mindanao State University, Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), there were already 700 members from Central and Western Mindanao, the Magic Group, spearheded the drafting of the proposed Constitution and By-Laws. Jangao reminded the Magic Group to consider nationwide expansion particularly the creation of municipal chapters, Provincial Chapters and Regional Chapters with National Headquarters based in Iligan City. Finally, the constitution and By-laws was approved and ratified by the two/third vote of the Assembly present during the convention. Subsequent reproduction of the constitution was undertaken and widest dissemination of Diablo Squad Goals and Objectives were circulated, which resulted to the undoubted increased of membership among military and police unit in the areas of Mindanao. The original concept of this organization was to established strong brotherhood among military and police forces. Due to the demand of the time and considering the increasing factions and frictions between and among various units of the military and police, soldiers from the military institution and personnel from police establishment had voluntarily submitted themselves and signified their willingness to join. These development drew the attention of the top brass officers of the Military and Police Organizations. As 1982 ended, the group numbered 15,000 with members coming from the four major service commands, stationed in Mindanao. In 1984, before the group was exposed to the Media as an “Army within the Army” it had already more than 30,000 members throughout the country. Propagation became easy as soldiers from Mindanao were reassigned or transferred to Visayas, Luzon and Metro Manila even at the Makati Police, Camp Aguinaldo, Villamor Air Base, Fort Bonifacio especially Camp Crame, where the brotherhood was very active, the group had grown into a potent Force. During that year, JANGAO was initially harassed. He was transferred from Iligan City to Headquarters Service Company, at Camp Parang, rendering Garrison Duty, then went to Manila for reassignment. While awaiting orders for his transfer at Camp Crame, Jangao conducted recruitment of Diablo Squad in Metro Manila and recruited three 3 enlistedmen every camp particularly in Camp Crame, Camp Panopio, Camp Bagong Diwa, Camp Aguinaldo, Fort Bonifacio and Camp Villamor. Months later, JANGAO received his transfer for Region 5 instead of Highway Patrol, where he was accommodated. Once more, all set to countenance all the consequences, JANGAO reported to Headquarters, Regional Command 5, and later assigned as First Sergeant, Headquarters, Service Company. During that period. JANGAO, in his mind, presumed being exiled at Camp Bagong Ibalon, Legaspi City. Determine to expand to expand the Diablo Squad in Bicol Region, JANGAO requested assignment to the Special Action Company, the fighting Unit of Regional Command 5 and later designated as the First Sgt. of the Special Action Company. Impressed by actuation of JANGAO as their First Sergeant, he recruited the majority of the entire strength of the Special Action Company, to include personnel of the Regional Field Force, Region 5 and then Capt. Carlito “TRACY” Abogado, the Commander Officer. Cautioned by this Commanding Officer, JANGAO requested for reassignment to any region outside Region 5 with approved availability for transfer by the Regional Director, JANGAO expected new assignments to any region in Luzon or Visayas, with established Regional Chapter and Provincial Founders in Bicol Region, JANGAO happily left the Region 5 area to Manila and thereafter Camp Crame issued an order transferring him back to Mindanao, specially at Region 10, considering that Misamis Oriental and nearby Provinces within Region 10 were known to be the most critical area during that period. In 1983 up to 1984, the group grew to an unaccountable size of almost 30,000 men from the different major services in the military. It was later, unceremoniously exposed by the media as a threat to the AFP for being in army within the army. Different adverse media exposure were written without even knowing first what the organization was. In some newspapers and tabloids, many editorials covered hostile, repugnant and antagosnistic stories about the organization portraying it as the “EL DIABLO” in its very lateral meaning. The failed to see the beauty that the DIABLO SQUAD had done to the Military, that of uniting it as one. As a result of unfriendly media exposures. The government of Marcos and Gen. Ver were alarmed over the growing strength of the group as it was publicly announced. They immediately ordered for it to disband despite of its being a legitimate organization, having been registered with the SEC. The brotherhood become the scapegoat, they exploited the existence of the group as a means to divert the public’s attention from the Agrava report and from the growing disaffection among the populace. While some military units and officers were indifferent with the organization, some were lenient and sympathetic, others were cruel actually violated the basic human rights of their very own soldiers and police. By November, of that year, then Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos, who was designated as acting Chief of Staff, AFP, when Ver was forcibly given a leave after he was indicated in the Aquino-Galman case. The Diablo Squad Crime Buster was formally disbanded. However, before the years ended, the group resurfaced with a new name. JANGAO listed five names for his final selection which were as follows: DEFENDER, PEACEMAKER, PROTECTOR, VANGUARD and GUARDIANS. Finally, the defunct Diablo Squad was renamed by JANGAO to be called GUARDIANS BROTHERHOOD INC. (GBI). He called the brotherhood “GUARDIANS” because he was chosen as the guidance principle “Service Through Strong Brotherhood”. His choice of the name was conscious, but the idea behind the word GUARDIANS is deliberate. JANGAO indeed, want all members of the AFP to be brothers in the service and the word “GUARDIANS” precisely describes the quality of the organization. The closeness and unique organizational structure of the fraternity threatened Gen. Ver and his men who had political ambitions. While Ver and his followers sowed dissension in the military, preferring factionalism and divisiveness, the group had woven a very close relationship among soldiers, making them more professional as Gen. Ramos had been trying to do at that time, to destroy the organization, the officers and members of the GUARDIANS were subjected to various harassments and humiliations soldiers identified with the group were transferred to far flung areas and given harder assignments. In November 1985, Gen. Ver (who was at that time on leave) ordered the group to face a panel and justify its existence. Gen. Ramos, however, slashed the fraternity’s neck when he was designated Chief of Staff after Gen. Ver was forced to retire upon his acquittal in the Aquino-Galman case by the sandigan bayan in December 1985. when Gen. Ramos and former Defence Chief Juan Ponce Enrile revolted against Marcos and Ver in Febuary 1986, the GUARDIANS were the first to throw its support to Ramos, Enrile and his Reform the AFP movement boys, although they were not given media exposure and prominence during the four-day revolt, the GUARDIANS role hastened the defection of soldiers to the rebels rank. Founder Elpidio “CARLOMAGNO” Seletaria, who was then assigned at the Military Police Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, headed a 69-man Military Police Force that left MP Chief Brig. Gen. BALBANERO at his office. The group was later assigned to counter Col. ROLANDO ABADILLA’s Metrocom Force at the rear of Camp Crame they only showed their gratitude to Gen. Ramos of their decision to join the rebels. Then months after the revolution saw the growth of the group as it gained both public and military recognition. As it grew, however, many adventurous young officers, sensing the potent force of the group, tried to control and use if for their own ends. By the middle of 1985, bro hitech was tired to type this paragraph, a small group of the GUARDIANS MND CHAPTER formed the Guardians Centre Foundation Inc.(GCFI) so that its general membership may further benefit from the foundation, the Foundation was registered with the SEC. Sometime in April of 1986. it was the first splinter group of the GUARDIANS emerged, absorbing some of the original members of the group. More mid-level and ranking officers from MAJOR up to COLONEL soon became interested in the group and joined the brotherhood. On the other hand, the succeeding coup attempts produced another group of mislead GUARDIANS under SGF Reynaldo “CHALLENGER” Cabauatan who led a group of soldiers known as Guardians of Democracy (GOD) during the Manila Hotel and GMA-7 coup attempts propagated the other faction under his leadership. As a lawfully organized brotherhood and duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of which only the court can dissolve the GUARDIANS brotherhood, in order to assure maximum control of its members in the area and to constantly remind its members in the strict observance of the AFP Chain of Command, clandestinely conduct its organization activities. After the series of coup attempts, many unqualified civilians were recruited as members. To resolve the issue, a general overhaul of the constitution and By-laws of the GUARDINAS was undertaken. As a result, the Guardians Philippines Inc. (GPI) was formed composed not only by officers and Enlisted men of the Military and Police but as well as professional and non-professional Civilians with good moral character and good reputation in the community. After the amnesty of rebel soldiers. And when some of their leaders participated in the electoral process, the GUARDIANS nationwide provided solid support, whom considered very instrumental to its victory with SGF Gregorio “GRINGO” Honasan. Sometime on 1998, JANGAO declared and proclaimed Supreme God-Father GRINGO as the Overall Chairman of the GUARDIANS to spearheaded the unification of various factions, such, was subsequently ratified and approved by the leaders of Mindanao. Year after, Mindanao sponsored a National Convention for Unification, of which a Constitution and By-laws was approved and ratified in the name of PHILIPPINE GUARDIANS INC. (PGI). It was followed by another National Convention conducted in Metro Manila, which resulted finally, to the conceptualisation of the name PHILIPPINE GUARDIANS BROTHERHOOD INC.(PGBI). As the new name of GUARDIANS with Constitution and By-laws patterned to the PGII. In the pursuit of unity and in order to provide an essential instrument to direct and carry out organizational design and activities and to achieve the ultimate objectives of unification, the new installed National/Chairman/President started to implement the thrust of unifying the GUARDIANS. During the implementation, not all existing factions succumbed to the merger, while those who submit for integration, after one year of struggle to unify the GUARDIANS to continue their respective organization and withdraw its support to the unification and GUARDIANS national leadership. On the basis of carefully evaluated and verified development, it was definitely established that those various groups who are nationally and locally organized and moved by their common or similar organizational goals and objectives were enjoying the moral support by its members, guided and directed by their intensely devoted, determined, individuals, seeking to form and association, under the banner of the GUARDIANS, to promote and attain their ends, have in fact joined and bonded together for prime purpose of and in fact have been and actually existing, undertaking and waging organizational and administrative activities in line with the principles, goals and objectives of the GUARDIANS. These various organized groups have continuously and systematically strengthen and broadened their membership through sustain and careful recruitment and enlistment of a new adherents from among different sectors of society and has succeeded in spreading and expanding their control and influence over almost every segment and level of our society throughout the land. In tracking down their acts and in order to afford their indispensable instrument to direct and fulfil their organizational plan and actions and to achieve their ultimate objectives, these individuals have in fact organized and established and are now maintaining their respective national associations with chapters organized with-in and outside the Philippine Archipelago composed of dedicated intellectuals of which charged of guiding and directing the organization as well as imposing its will and asserting its genuine authority of certain segments of our population and has been and is exacting financial and other forms of tribute from the government to raise funds for cooperatives and other material resources to support its peace loving members and the duly constituted government. In order to carry out, as in fact they have carried out their premeditated plan to undertake and wage, a full scale organizational activities, these various groups have organized and established and are now maintaining a well structured and well organized and highly indoctrinated and greatly expanded national and regional chapters. It is evident, that throughout the land there exist a major deficiencies, a serious contributory factor to the brotherhood problem and the dysfunctions among various organized factions consisting of the following: Poor linkages and relationship among various organized groups, Poor image and readability of and controversies in the brotherhood, Widespread indifference and apathy of the various groups and its members, Inadequacies and lapse in the corrective and disciplinary measures. The current organizational activities undertaken by the various organized factions as well as the existence of the major deficiencies and dysfunctions of the brotherhood have assume the magnitude of and actual state of disunity and divisiveness among the brotherhood. On March 05 2002, a meeting was held at the Headquarters of CIDG, Camp Crame, Quezon City, attended by the national leaders representing each of the majority of the various factions of the GUARDIANS in order to discuss and resolves the various issues concerning the aforesaid organization. In order to foster the spirit of brotherhood and promote a potent atmosphere of oneness among the various factions its imperative for an umbrella organization to be firmly incorporated in order to serve as a confederation of all the various nationally and locally organized GUARDIANS. For the purpose of supervision, direction and control, all of the nationally and locally organized groups shall be chartered within the entire Philippine Archipelago under such terms and conditions as the GUARDIANS shall provide and stipulate. In order to booster the bond among its members, a consensus was passed in a meeting held at CIDG, Camp Crame and declared that every 5th day of March of each year shall be commemorated as the GUARDIANS DAY, and each group shall continue to celebrate their respective annual Anniversary Celebrations with the national officers of the various groups as invited guest participants, to be graced by the International Chairman and Central Officers. JANGAO believed that peace and unity is attain not by eliminating conflict all together, but by balancing the conflicting forces, harmonizing the contradicting ideas, matching the incompatible interest and complimentary the inconsistence issues so that unification be achieved and approximated. Likewise, JANGAO believed that in this given society, things is better organized when they are first divided, take the case of the political party, they invented the political parties, they are very divisive, but we do not want just one political party, However, if each party will polarize their own programs and ideals, perhaps after election, when they will be united, their unity will became more stronger, just as a rope when it is made of two or three separate twins rather than of only one. Similarly, JANGAO believed that unification call for the collaboration of all the members of the GUARDIANS, and the GUARDIANS is composed of so many factions or groups, and if the factions or groups are not first crystallized moreover if one faction or group overlapped jurisdictions with the other factions or groups, how can expect unity from them, unless their differences are first faced and settled. Additionally, JANGAO believed that the GUARDIANS general idea of unification, has emanated from the higher hierarchy of the organization, but if it sought to be implanted among its branches and groups, this idea of unification must be born again among them, meaning it must be understood by the branch and group, adjusted to their conditions and needs and must take specific forms accordingly until it can be truly said that it has been born again among the members of the GUARDIANS. On 25 of March 2002, retype by Bro Hitech again, GMF LEBORIO “ABRAHAM” JANGAO JR, by virtue of his inherent powers as Grand Master Founder God-Father of the GUARDIANS, proclaimed the Declaration of Goals, Objectives, Principles and Policies of the GUARDIANS and the Constitution and By-Laws of the GUARDIANS INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED (GII). Further, declared to call ourselves as the GUARDIANS and shall named our global confederation as Guardians International Inc. (GII) with existing National Branches, namely: DIABLO SQUAD (CRIME BUSTER) BROTHERHOOD INC.(DSCB) GUARDIANS BROTHERHOOD INC. (GBI) GUARDIANS CENTRE FOUNDATION INC. (GCFI) GUARDIANS PHILIPPINE INC. (GPI) GRAND ORDER OF UNIFIED GUARDIANS ASSOCIATION INC. (GOUGAI) PHILIPPINE GUARDIANS BROTHERHOOD INC. (PGBI) NEW GUARDIANS INC. (NGI) PHILIPPINE GUARDIANS DEMOCRATS INC. (PGDI) GUARDIANS CRUSADERS for PEACE INC. (GCPI) GUARDIANS REFORMIST GROUP INC. (GRGI) GUARDIANS NATIONALIST MOVEMENT INC. (GNMI) GUARDIANS REPUBLICAN INCORPORATED (GRI) GUARDIANS MADONNA SORORITY INCORPORATED (GMSI) GUARDIANS FORCES BROTHERHOOD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED (GFBI) And with the special groups such as: MARIKINA GUARDIANS BROTHERHOOD INC. (MGBI) HUNTER MAGIC GUARDIANS INC. (HMGI) GUARDIANS LAKAN LAKAMBINI INC. (GLLI) Further more, JANGAO by virtue of the powers vested in him by the constitution and By-laws, proclaimed the Guardians Rules of the Central Assembly, the Guardians Administrative Code, the Guardians Grievance Machinery, the Guardians Effects of Suspension, the Guardians Election Code, Guardians Colors and Emblems and Guardians Order of the Heart. As mandated by the Constitution and By-laws, the Central Assembly shall create an Ad Hoc Committee to be headed by the Central Commissioner of Constitution and Legal and By-laws within three (3) months from issuance hereof. However, as provided in this Constitution and By-laws, any member of the Assembly may initiate by means of an ordinary bill and amendment to the proclaimed constitution of any part thereof subject to the ratification of the Central Assembly as prescribed.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 18:11:32 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015