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At the heart of the military complaints is a sense that Aquino will bend more easily to meet the needs of the Communist guerrillas than she will to maintain the loyalty of her troops. It is now common to hear soldiers gripe that the Communist insurgents have got a "free ride" in the media since the cease-fire began last December. Another standard beef: guerrillas are not held accountable for human-rights abuses, but soldiers are. Asks one soldier: "If Aquino can be soft on the ((Communist)) rebels and offer them amnesty, why can't she treat the rebel soldiers in the same way?"
That theme will undoubtedly be struck in the weeks ahead as the mutineers try to steer clear of punishment. Given Ramos' and Ileto's soft treatment of the dissident troops, it is possible that Aquino will find herself without their support in pushing for maximum penalties. If she steps back from her firm pledge to hold those involved to the "fullest account," she is certain to hear from leftist quarters. "If she can't make these guys face a firing squad," snipes a student leader, "the least she can do is arrest them."
For all her problems, Aquino does not seem to be in any immediate danger. In the peculiar logic of Philippine politics, the recent maelstrom may even boost the President's standing in this week's constitutional balloting. "If she loses," said Taxi Driver Ramon Iglesias last week, "I'm afraid there will be a civil war." For that reason alone, Iglesias is voting yes.