EDITORIAL - Decommissioning

On the eve of the official day of mourning yesterday for 44 police commandos butchered by combined forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the government signed the first phase of decommissioning with MILF leaders in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

There are still numerous steps before the MILF will actually lay down its weapons. It has plenty of time to team up again with its supposed breakaway group, the BIFF, to conduct more joint operations against government forces to prevent the capture of notorious terrorists.

Government peace panel head Miriam Coronel Ferrer and MILF panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal signed the protocol on the implementation of the terms of reference of the Independent Decommissioning Body. It was a significant step in one of the touchiest issues in the peace process.

In the light of the massacre in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, however, the MILF will have to match its signature with action to restore public trust in its commitment to pursue peace. So far the MILF has been silent on President Aquino’s demand for the group to identify those who slaughtered 44 members of the police Special Action Force who were pursuing two Jemaah Islamiyah bomb makers.

Authorities should not wait for public trust to be restored or for the MILF to make good on its commitment to decommission its weapons. The nation has gun laws that must be enforced, especially with general elections just over a year away. There are many lawless elements in Mindanao, the BIFF among them, that are not covered by the peace process. It is the duty of all security forces to ensure that anyone who carries guns is authorized to do so.

The weakness in the enforcement of tough gun laws has been one of the biggest reasons for violent crime. This is true particularly in Mindanao, where poor coastal patrols make it easy for lawless groups to bring in all types of weapons including grenade launchers. The peace process must not be used as an excuse for failing to stop such activities. Laws must be enforced and the public must be kept safe.