We must support our troops, if we want peace in Mindanao

A couple of days ago, we hosted a dinner in honor of the new AFP Chief of Staff Narciso Abaya, with the President gracing the occasion. Both GMA and Gen. Abaya had just come from Mindanao, and inevitably, the conversation led to the Mindanao situation today. When Canadian ambassador Robert Collette asked our publisher Max Soliven what he thought would be the long-term solution to the problem in the South, Max unequivocally replied, "Everyone in Mindanao should be disarmed. Only the AFP and the police should bear firearms. Once this is done, only then could we talk peace." No one, not even the President, disagreed with Max who obviously has a very broad knowledge of the Mindanao conflict.

The situation in Mindanao today is no different from the "Wild West." Almost everyone, including very young children, carry firearms – from locally made paltik to imported automatic, high-powered firearms. For years, the South has been known as the country’s one-stop gun shop, and this is due to the long history of armed conflict in the region. To a certain extent, some people believe Mindanao is where some terrorist groups today, like the Jemaah Islamiah, purchase their weapons. In fact, members of an international elite investigative team have proven this to be true. Documents found in the possession of the Bali resort bombers listed serial numbers of weapons that belong to known MILF rebels hiding and operating in Mindanao. "For Jemaaf Islamiah, Malaysia and Singapore are used primarily for financing, and the Philippines for training. Indonesia is where they put everything into practice," the investigators said. In this region, one can purchase a gun for a very small price, although an "imported" firearm passed on from hand to hand can range from P20,000 to P27,000 depending on the kind. A semi-automatic 9mm handgun could cost about P20,000 while an M16 rifle around P26,000. According to a study made by Canada’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Department, some of these weapons were either stolen or bought illegally from renegade soldiers and the police, and from gunrunners and unlicensed manufacturers of paltik. And mind you, it is not only Muslims who are arming themselves in Mindanao, but also Christians for obvious security reasons. According to the United Nations, there are approximately two million loose firearms in the Philippines. There’s a great possibility that two-thirds of these belong to criminals and terrorist elements operating in Mindanao. This is probably why armed attacks, like the one recently staged by approximately 600 MILF members in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato, killing 16 people and wounding 10 others, are conducted so easily. The statement of Abduraman Macapaar, or otherwise known as Commander Bravo, is a clear indication that the balance of firepower has tipped on the side of the insurgents. "Our purpose in staging this series of attacks starting today is to cripple the country’s economy." With this kind of tension, is peace possible in Mindanao?

Some people may think otherwise, but I believe peace is possible in Mindanao, and it seems the opportunity to do this is coming closer. For one, we have a new and solid leader in the AFP – Gen. Narcing Abaya. Many believe he is the epitome of a professional military officer, one whose sense of duty and love for country is firm. He is focused with what he wants to do with the military. He was the former Commanding General of the biggest AFP Unified Command – the Southern Command. As a three-time veteran of the Mindanao conflict, Gen. Abaya helped solve the Sipadan hostage crisis. He was also the Commanding General who immediately restored peace and order in the town of Ipil after the infamous raid of the Abu Sayyaf in 1995. Being a West Point graduate would surely help in building a better relationship with the AFP’s counterparts in Pentagon. Of course, the United States is committed now more than ever to support the country, particularly the AFP, because of GMA’s quick response to 9-11 and support of the Iraq war. She was able to use her special relationship with George Bush to convince the US that the Philippines agrees with the policy of America to fight terrorists wherever they may be found. And now, this is translating into tangible and real-time assistance. The government is looking forward to getting the US$ 1 billion military and soft-loan package that is now being prepared in Washington in time for the state visit of GMA to the Bush White House. There are strong indications that the agreement would be signed when she arrives in Washington by mid-May this year. Through the years, American military and soft-loan aid packages have revitalized the AFP’s modernization program. Also, things are changing fast in the world, especially after the US won the Iraq war hands down. Libyan leader Muammar Khaddafi, long thought of as a staunch supporter and financier of Islamic global armed struggle, is now saying that rebels should forget secession and start talking peace. It is apparent that even within the international Islamic community, the tide is changing against armed struggle. That is why it is important that we give our full support to the military.

To strictly enforce a policy of disarmament in Mindanao is not an easy task, but it can be done. There is no other way. We must support our troops if we want peace in Mindanao.

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We are now celebrating Earth Month, and if there is anyone who loves the earth as much as she is down-to-earth, it is Loren Legarda. She’s the principal author of the Clean Air Act, and her project Luntiang Pilipinas is considered by many as a milestone in environmental awareness. Because of Loren’s dedication, more than one million trees have been planted in approximately 500 hectares of land across the country. I have known Loren for over 20 years. Her first job was with our advertising firm, and even then, her focus and determination were clear. Indeed, she is a classic case of beauty and brains that spells success. I have no doubt, she will do well if she seeks a higher office.

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