Danny Lim to RAM: Unite vs anti-Aquino ‘interest groups’

Former Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim has called on the members of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM) to unite against “interest groups" that he said are out to shame the Aquino administration. “So let us organize, empower ourselves and let us be united so that we can pursue our aspirations and welcome the future with new hope," said Lim, the current RAM chairman, on Tuesday night when he addressed the officers and members of the group during their 21st foundation anniversary celebration. “Even if we have a new leader that is totally different from the past administration, the straight path may be hard to achieve because there are interest groups who are out to derail it," he added without elaborating. Curiously, it was RAM that launched a series of failed coup attempts against the administration of President Benigno Aquino III’s mother, the late Corazon Aquino, in the 1980s. Lim said the organization, which was besieged by factionalism over the years, should unite toward the attainment of the thrust of RAM, which he said includes justice and good quality of life for the people. Lim was detained for several years under the Arroyo administration for his alleged participation in at least two attempts to topple the government. He ran for senator in the May 10, 2010 elections but lost. Lim, who was given provisional liberty on the latter part of the Arroyo government, said he wants to see the corrupt officials under the previous administration held accountable for their deeds. “We witnessed corruption and excesses of the past administration, all types, all shapes and signs of corruption, the cheating of the presidential election, the ballooning of the foreign debt, all the illegal things, the destruction of our institutions," he said. “I would like to see the day when the people who are responsible for all these are made accountable and responsible for their acts. They should be made accountable for what they did while they were in power," he added without naming names. RAM was founded as the Reformed the Armed Forces Movement during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos. It later on played a key role in the ouster of the late dictator in the 1986 EDSA Revolution, which paved the way for the presidency of Corazon Aquino. On November 30, 1989, RAM was renamed Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa. Shortly after, it waged its bloodiest coup attempt against Aquino. Among the prominent members of RAM who attended the anniversary held at Parks and Wildlife in Quezon City were Col. Ariel Querubin, Col. Jake Malajacan, Col. Jose Gamos, Col. Cesar dela Pena, Lt. Col. Romeo Lim and Lt. Col. Nestor Flordeliza. - KBK, GMANews.TV