Lights and shadows over a troubled land

Many have been asking why the military has not bombed Camp Abubakar, the stronghold of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Over dinner at EDSA Shangri-La's Inaho Tei, Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Angelo Reyes told me that the term, "Camp Abubakar," is a misnomer. Actually, the place is a cluster of barangays, with a big civilian population, that was officially handed over by the Philippine government to the MILF during the Ramos administration.

General Reyes said that bombing Camp Abubakar would risk the lives of thousands of civilians. And it would certainly result in the destruction of millions of pesos worth of properties owned by the civilian populace. Until the risk of harming the civilian population disappears, the AFP is not going to conduct bombing activities over Camp Abubakar.

It is also noteworthy that the Philippine government, also during the time of the Ramos regime, officially allocated portions of public roads and highways as areas of jurisdiction of the MILF. This is the reason why there were MILF checkpoints in certain points of the Narciso Ramos Highway and other vital road arteries in Mindanao. Obviously, it was the government's pampering of the MILF that caused all the kingsized headaches that the Estrada administration is now coping with.

Many years ago, during my early visits to the Muslim areas in Mindanao, I was told by several Christian personages that it is far easier to talk to 50 Christians than to one Muslim. This is now being proven by the events that are raging in Mindanao. Apparently, government authorities are being given the run-around by the Muslim rebels. And the deranged Abu Sayyaf terrorists, in particular, must be snickering and laughing as they continue to flaunt to the entire world their barbarism and savagery.

The Philippine government must now use an iron hand in dealing with the Abu Sayyaf and the MILF. The current peace talks, in the minds of astute political observers, are not going to bring results. If ever there will be peace, it will be but for several fleeting moments. Before we know it, the Muslim terrorists and troublemakers will again take centerstage, just as what they have been doing for the past many decades.

A good question to ask is this: What is Nur Misuari, touted during the Ramos regime as the man who will bring peace to Mindanao, doing? As of last report, he was junketing in Europe. Isn't he supposed to be the man in charge of convincing his fellow Muslims to release the hostages in Basilan and Sulu? Isn't he supposed to lead the way in bringing peace to Mindanao? Yet, he is not doing this -- and he is being given hundreds of millions of pesos, probably even billions, to run an ARMM that is virtually inutile.

The darkness in Mindanao, though, is somehow lighted up by the thoughtfulness and civic spirit of certain personages in the social landscape. Yes, it is truly inspiring to see noted people, who are going out of their way to acknowledge and recognize the acts of heroism done by their fellowmen. Instead of focusing their eyes on the dark clouds in the wartorn areas of Mindanao, these thoughtful people are trying to bring sunshine to the hearts of peace-loving fellowmen.

Take the case of Club Filipino president emeritus Fortunato Aguas, who is the presidential adviser on tax affairs, and his colleague Sergio Lopez, a board director of Club Filipino. Both have initiated a fund campaign to recognize and reward the presence of mind and heroism of PAL training and development specialist Francis Cabel, the fellow who played a major role in saving the lives of some 191 passengers in the hijacked Philippine Airlines plane. Aguas and Lopez each gave P5,000, or a total of P10,000 which they asked me to turn over to Cabel. "This is seed money," Aguas and Lopez said, as they began asking their friends and colleagues to contribute to the Cabel Fund. By the way, Cabel has three children, all going to school, for whom the money can be put to good use.

Those involved in the telecommunications industry are monitoring developments in the ongoing labor-management dispute at PT&T. The problem arose early last year when the company resorted to the centralization and realignment of functions, in a bid to reduce the company's operational cost. The move, however, did not entail the layoff of workers.

Members of the PT&T union, which is affiliated with the NAFLU and the Kilusang Mayo Uno, however, feared that mass layoffs would ensue. Thus, they decided to go on strike last April. Which is odd, because, up to this time, not a single employee has been laid off. Those whose services were terminated were for due cause.

At present, the National Labor Relations Commission has been holding marathon sessions to resolve the dispute. Unfortunately, the striking union members have resorted to acts of vandalism, apparently aimed at disrupting the company's operations. Clearly, this is a violation of the directive from the Department of Labor and Employment, ordering both parties to "cease and desist" from committing any act that will worsen the situation.

It is a wonder that PT&T has managed to maintain its network of operations, despite the damage being inflicted by the strikers to the company's facilities and equipment. Apparently, the tightening of security and the cooperation of local police authorities where PT&T operates have ensured the company's continuing operations. But then, how do authorities deal with illegal acts committed during strikes?

PULSEBEAT: Aureo Andaya, who worked for many years in Metro Manila hotels and who is now based in Hanoi, Vietnam, wants those government execs who throw away taxpayers' money in useless seminars to be punished via firing squad. He is really mad, saying that people's money should instead be used to buy medicines for the poor . . . . Carlito C. Baluyot of San Jose, Guagua, Pampanga, thinks that there are pranksters who are out to sabotage the economy, and then pin the blame on President Estrada . . . . Isidoro A. Panlasigui Jr. of 6 Big Horseshoe Drive, Quezon City, suggests that instead of seminars in big hotels, workshops should be conducted at the barangay level. "This will encourage the rural folks to participate in the task of improving their lives," he said... Thanks to Sonia L. Manuel who wrote to say she constantly reads my columns.

Art A. Borjal's e-mail address: <[email protected]>