September 19, 2009 | In: Politics and Society

Not James Bond

I grew up watching James Bond, enjoyed the Bourne trilogy, dabbled with Spooks, watched almost all FBI-related TV show in the last four years, and has recently just marathoned Chuck seasons. Spy Game gives you enough pointers to do a basic recon job. Maybe the Navy Intelligence course would like to add spy films as a module of instruction in their program.

Military-wise it’s tragic to have a marine caught red-handed on a basic recon assignment. You know, the one sent to spy on Dr. Bien Lumbera’s home? By security guards no less. Having lived in the adjacent area to Dr. Lumbera’s subdivision, I’m quite familiar with the quality of rent-a-cops in his subdivision, and I’d have to say that they’re not even the sternest guards around.

So why were they able to trump a marine? Given the supposed reputation of the Philippine Marines, wasn’t the guy supposed to be able to evade capture? Isn’t not cutting corners a basic lesson in the stalking (at least in sniper school)? A simple ploy like posing as a bill carrier or a utility meter reader would’ve worked flawlessly. I mean military folks do have that certain look that make them totally stand out in a subdivision like Dr. Lumbera’s.

This has got to be a total setback to military intelligence – an operative (even a trainee), a marine, falling into the hands of manong guards. As always, we’re dealing with problems that should’ve never existed.

Sure, larger issues like the assignment of citizen targets in military exercises are definitely the more important issue here. And don’t get me started on why the esteemed Dr. Lumbera was the one targeted. But let me focus on the matter of competence of our spooks.

Information verification exercise? Try Google. Or Facebook.

While the whole organization might not be affected by such competency issues, it’s things like these that can tarnish the image of the whole organization in the eyes of the nation.

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