By Raïssa Robles
“The government has captured the hive but the angry bees have escaped and are regrouping to attack.”
A Moro National Liberation Front official said right after the fall of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s Camp Abubakar following President Joseph Estrada’s All-Out War in 2000
To get an estimate of the costs, let’s look at the All-Out War that then President Joseph Estrada launched in the year 2000.
Ordinarily, the cost of this kind of internal conflict is shrouded in secrecy.
But in 2005, the United Nations sponsored a ground-breaking study entitled the Philippine Human Development Report. For the first time, a team led by Arsenio Balisacan examined the costs of conflict. Dr. Balisacan is Dean of the University of the Philippines School of Economics and Executive Director of the Philippine Center for Economic Development. Among the advisers for this Report was former Economic Planning Secretary and UP economics professor Solita Collas-Monsod.
The cost in terms of body count
The study found that during Estrada’s two and a half-year presidency, 471 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels and 222 government soldiers were killed.
We can presume that most of the fatalities occurred during the 2000 All-Out War.
In addition, during the same period, the MILF claimed 92 rebels were injured while the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported 270 injured – or 431 injured from both sides of the conflict.
There is no accounting here of civilians killed in the crossfire.
During last week’s Basilan clash between MILF rebels and government soldiers, 19 soldiers and at least five rebels and were killed.
An All-Out War would considerably increase that body count. And if one goes by the Year 2000 figures, total body count could reach several hundreds.
If the objective of a new All-Out War is to avenge the deaths last October 22 of the 19 soldiers, would the death of several hundreds more in such an operation be worth the cost?
You know what? The Christian majority in the country has always frowned upon and thought the concept of “rido” or vengeance killings among southern Philippine clans weird and barbaric. Wouldn’t avenging the deaths of the soldiers be like a state-sponsored “rido”?
An All-Out War would also have serious collateral damage on the citizenry
At the height of Estrada’s All-Out War in mid-2000, the number of refugees fleeing from the conflict swelled to 800,000 non-combatants. Imagine the trauma of leaving behind almost everything you own and had worked for because of the fighting.
An All Out War in Basilan could, however, result in a much lesser number of refugees (called Internally Displaced Persons or IDPs) because the island population there is only half a million.
Still, is it worth disrupting the lives of so many thousands? And would the military be breeding more rebels this way?
The formation of MILF camps in Basilan was an offshoot of Estrada’s All-Out War
Estrada is rightly credited for dismantling the MILF’s main headquarters, Camp Abubakar, and several other smaller camps. These had for years been a huge embarrassment and affront to the Philippine government and its sovereignty.
The gains of the All-Out War, however, turned out to be temporary. Other camps have sprouted in place of Camp Abubakar. And one of those camps is the one in Al-Barka, Basilan, near where the deadly firefight took place last week.
I was interviewing Allan Pisingan of the Basilan Human Rights Network and Bantay Ceasefire yesterday. I asked him why the MILF now has a camp in Basilan. As far as I knew, the traditional stronghold of the MILF was central Mindanao, never Basilan.
He told me that the MILF gained a foothold on the island after angry Muslims rallied to the call of jihad by the late MILF Chairman Hashim Salamat in response to Estrada’s 2000 All-Out War.
After Camp Abubakar fell and Estrada celebrated his military victory by holding a lunch of beer and lechon (roast pork) there – which angered and insulted the Muslims – I got to talk to the late Angelo Reyes who was then the Armed Forces Chief of Staff. He predicted that the rebels would switch to guerrilla warfare but “I believe only the hard-core would do it.”
The problem was, he could not say how many of the MILF were hard-core.
At that time, Congressman Roilo Golez also expressed misgivings over capturing Camp Abubakar. The former navy official warned that “a wounded tiger fights more fiercely.”
An official of the Moro National Liberation Front, which signed a peace pact with the government in 1996, put the problem in perspective. He told me then:
The government has captured the hive but the angry bees have escaped and are regrouping to attack.
Soon enough, they did by bombing the LRT on Rizal Day that yearend, killing 14 and injuring 100 commuters. That LRT bomb also hurt the national economy and instilled a sense of fear and helplessness in the nation’s capital.
The violent cycle has gone on and on and on.
Economic costs of an All-Out War
Neither the military nor the government has ever disclosed how much a massive military operation costs taxpayers. This has always been shrouded in mystery. But we can presume that the government diverts funding to these unbudgeted events.
For Estrada’s All-Out War, the military deployed at least two marine and two infantry battalions, or the equivalent of around 2,400 men, not just for days but for at least over a month. Think how many bullets and bombs they needed.
In Basilan, an M14 bullet can be bought in the black market for P30 each; while an M16 bullet for P25 each, according to Allan Pisingan. Each M14 magazine can hold from 10 to 30 bullets. Given these kinds of figures, Estrada’s All-Out War must have been horribly expensive.
That particular war, however, had little direct impact on the national GDP, the UN-sponsored report concluded. Because in the first place, Mindanao island’s contribution to the GDP is “not particularly large from the viewpoint of the national economy.” It comprises only around half a percentage point of the national GDP.
But the report also cited a paper written by Schiavo-Camp and Judd on the Mindanao conflict. The authors argued that an All-Out War in Mindanao would have “a larger implicit economic cost” in this manner:
There is anecdotal but persuasive evidence from the international investment banking community that the troubles in the island have adversely affected the image of the country as an investor-friendly venue. This is consistent with the evidence…to the effect that capital flight is a main result of civil conflict, with capital repatriation following a settlement of the conflict.
In the case of Mindanao, however, such capital flight (limited by the low level of the initial capital) has been compounded by a failure to attract the equity investment that could be expected based on the area’s location and factor endowments – investment which was deflected to other areas in East and Southeast Asia.
The report also noted that the resulting deaths would also mean loss of potential income that could have been generated by the slain combatants for their families. The report estimated the loss at P69,300 yearly for a soldier killed (based on a private’s monthly salary); and P27,443 per year per rebel killed. The latter is lower in value because the basis used was the average per capita income of the Philippines as of 2003.
The most telling effect of the continuing conflict in Muslim Mindanao
An All-Out war is a tremendously psychologically draining experience which could affect a person’s health. The UN-funded report decided to correlate the average life expectancy of residents in the most war-torn areas with those areas where residents seem to live longest.
Apparently, residents live longest in the following five provinces, based on 2003 government data:
Cebu – around 72.6 years old
Pampanga – 72.2
Batangas – 71.8
Bulacan – 71.4
Camarines Sur – 71.3
In contrast, residents of the following five strife-torn provinces in Muslim Mindanao seem to have the shortest average life span:
Basilan – 60.6 years old
Lanao del Sur – 57.9
Sulu – 52.8
Maguindanao – 52
Tawi-Tawi – 51.2
Wow. That’s a 10-year difference in life expectancy between Cebu and Basilan.
And a 20-year difference between Cebu and Maguindanao where the MILF is centrally based. And yet the rebels stay there to pursue their dream of a Bangsamoro Homeland through an armed struggle, despite being the object of several All-Out Wars.
Why Estrada wanted and needed an All-Out War in 2000
It is only by placing Estrada’s All-Out War in historical context that we can understand why he did it.
Before launching the All-Out War, the Estrada administration was reeling from several money scandals and from two humiliating incidents that put it in the global spotlight.
On March 20, 2000, the Abu Sayyaf grabbed 58 students and adults in Basilan and held them for ransom. The following month on April 22, 2000, the Abu Sayyaf again seized 21 mostly foreign holiday makers from the Malaysian island resort of Sipadan and brought them to Sulu to be ransomed off.
On top of this, Estrada’s popularity was tumbling from a fresh batch of scandals. A Catholic nun, Sr. Christine Tan who then headed the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, disclosed that 87% or P430 million of the P495 million intended for its charity projects had been diverted to the offices of President Estrada, his wife, Luisa, and his son, Jinggoy.
Estrada’s Vice-President then – someone named Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo – warned that the fund diversion “will result in the waning trust of the people in the government.”
It was also around this time that the scandal over alleged insider trading of BW Resources shares broke into the news, along with two other money scandals implicating top officials and friends of Estrada.
A P304.9 million contract to buy fire trucks was allegedly cornered by a company that reportedly used as go-between two movie stars close to the movie actor-turned-President. Estrada ordered an investigation on the matter.
In addition, reports bared that the chief government lawyer, Solicitor General Ricardo Galvez, had brokered a deal involving the awarding of 4,689 hectares of a military reservation in Nueva Ecija to a private individual. Estrada ordered the deal scrapped.
What damaged Estrada’s presidency the most at this time was the surprising confirmation of his chief presidential palace aide Aprodicio Laquian of the existence of Estrada’s “midnight cabinet”. Laquian said that:
at 4 o’clock in the morning, I am the only sober person in the room [and that] if there is one person who is sober in the room who would be able to take all of these things that were signed and then hide them in my record book, then the decision-making will probably be, in the beautiful light of the morning, very rational.
You can read more about Laquian’s outburst here.
In light of all these, political analysts at that time expressed the belief that Estrada’s motives for launching an All-Out War were partly self-serving. He needed to shore up his sagging presidency.
Six months after Camp Abubakar fell, Estrada himself had been shooed out of office.
Why President Benigno Aquino III does not want nor need an All-Out War
It is true that among all presidents, PNoy has a big stake in keeping peace in Mindanao after having personally met with MILF chairman Murad Ebrahim and other key rebel leaders in Tokyo.
That, however, is only part of the reason.
The Aquino administration is about to embark on a bold, ambitious and multi-billion pesos plan to bring development to Muslim Mindanao using the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) structure as the vehicle. It is still trying to persuade the MILF to be a partner in this experiment.
All these will come to nothing with an All-Out War.
But what about justice for the slain soldiers?
This is a question that’s been bothering me since the incident. The Republic has to stand by its soldiers.
This issue has been clouded, though, by the fact that neither the military nor the MILF has released a comprehensive post-battle report. We are being bombarded by confusing reports about what happened.
Meanwhile, the Army chief, Lt. General Arturo Ortiz, has already relieved two field commanders without any explanation.
Amid this confusion, President Aquino is faced with mounting criticism for not acting decisively and not ordering hot pursuit operations or an All-Out War at once.
And he is insisting on holding the peace.
And so we Filipinos are faced with the question – do we give peace a chance or go to war again?
To many of us, intermittent war in Mindanao has become so much a part of our reality.
A Cebuano named Jr. Kilat rightly pokes fun at this war mentality in his rap song entitled “M16”. You can listen to it below:
To download the 2005 Human Development Report, click on this link.
Josh A says
No matter what happens peace can never be attained through war. Yes, the bombing and gunfire may stop. But how about the fear inside the civilians created by these countless encounter resulting to killing, now tell me is that peace?
Don says
The government in Manila has been trying to work for a peace plan for some time. The one group that has seemed to want to work towards peace too was the MNLF. However, this group allowed known international terrorist to live amongst them. Why? The two terrorist which the SAF are teachers. They teach terror. They teach terror tactics. They are NOT MNLF. One is not even Filipino. The MNLF did not just harbor these two men, they were learning from them. . All the other Muslim terrorist groups in Mindanao have no say in the peace process since they do not agree with it and are actively trying to prevent peace unless it is on their terms. These other groups should NOT be in areas controlled by the MNLF. Why? The MNLF is the largest and strongest of the terrorist groups in Mindanao. If the AFP are in MNLF territory, then they too are being protected and harbored. . The MNLF does not want peace. They lie and put up a front like they desire peace,. but they know ‘peace’ as everyone wants, will not get them what they really want. Dragging out this violence is beneficial to them. Perhaps they are waiting for a particularly weak kneed president who will bend over for every thing the MNLF REALLY wants. Anger? You are damn right people are angry. They are angry with every single idiot who ordered this raid. They are angry that every doctrine of prisoner extraction taught to the SAF men seems to have been ignored. They are angry that there was no back up for the hours this bloodbath went on. They are angry at whom ever butchered injured SAF troops on the ground as they lay after the fight. They are angry that maybe some of the injured SAF men were tortured before they were murdered. They are angry the dead bodies were looted for person effects. They are angry that the SAF men who were not killed or wounded in the fight ran away and left their fallen comrades, alive or dead, in the hands of butchers. Damn it, I am a foreigner and I am angry.
dats cal moro says
All out war…panibagong gastusin ng gobyerno…at panibagong buwis na bayarin ng taong bayan. sana yung gusto ng giyera…sila na ang pumunta sa labanan, para maging bayani pagdating ng araw.
Marco says
“the expected source of funds for the Bangsamoro, according to Iqbal, include:
Around P35 billion from the block grant
Around P10 billion from the special development fund
Around P18 billion from the internal revenue allotment of LGUs
Around P12 billion for funds from national agencies awarded to regional departments
“All in all we are looking at around P70 billion,” Iqbal said.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/special-coverage/peacetalks/76411-bangsamoro-initial-budget-iqbal
and thats just the initial budget for the first year……taken from taxpayers money
Noname says
At magkano naman ang budget para sa all out war plus the casualties?
Cleo says
Why do I keep having this nightmare that someone in deep deep trouble is orchestrating this ALL OUT WAR stategy to process removal of PNoy from office before the 2016 elections? Hindi na maka-intay. I wish media will not give these war mongers air time to sow dissent and ruin our peoples chance for peace. Please, please my dear kababayans – let us support the BBL.
Nest Reyes says
better read the full contents of Bangsamoro Basic Law before you support it…Miriam Defensor Santiago says it’s Unconstitutional that can lead to a sub-state…
jayar says
Sir, that’s the opinion of only one person. The law has been reviewed and re-reviewed by competent and highly capable lawyers, making sure that it is in the best interest of the Philippines, but at the same time able to improve the quality of life in Mindanao.
Liezl says
Support BBL? If I may I please ask was the content of that agreement open to the public so it can be understand? Not as far as I know, before agreeing to it, Filipino people must have a full understanding on Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Peterpan says
The BBL for your information has been available in public for months and months now. The problem is we are quick to say our opinions without first informing ourselves diligently and objectively. Read the BBL it’s there in cyberspace available for your review and scrutiny.
Ayjayar says
War is NEVER nice nor entertaining, unlike the video games that many turn to nowadays. War is ALWAYS expensive. And, yes, war is never easy. But the doctrine of an all-out war is probably an echo of the Powell Doctrine that has the ff conditions: “In brief, the Powell Doctrine calls for:
1.Clear political objectives;
2. no mission creep;
3. the use of force as a last resort;
4. the employment of overwhelming military force only to secure vital interests;
5. no restraint on military operations by political leadership;
6. establishment of political support prior to military intervention;
7. immediate withdrawal after victory in accordance with a pre-designed exit strategy, and;
8.building broad support by the American people.”(Source: http://ciceromagazine.com/opinion/dont-bring-back-the-powell-doctrine/).
Along that line, the Philippine version of this Doctrine wlll probably flounder on Nos. 1, 5 and 6 alone, much less on #4. However, I believe Mr Erap Estrada and his military advisers did not envision total annihilation of the rebels in 2000, but to neutralize or even push back the alarming possibility of the rebels for military equality w/ the AFP AND the latter’s increasing temerity to conduct ambuscades of soldiers and bombings of civilian installations. The capture by the sprawling Camp Abubakr Camp, was, to many, justified even as the rebels used the FVR-built irrigation canals as concrete bunkers from which MILF snipers began their deadly work. But they were no match for the 105mmm howitzers…and the losers called it “unjustified total war.”
That said, government forces will just be have to be content w/ Limited War vs the mujahideen guerillas, and – just the same – many from both sides will die or be maimed. The Americans (and the Russians before that) are finding this to be so in Afghanistan, and now, the ISIS.
So, what will it be? Total War- Philippine Style, or, Limited War-PNoy Style, wherein we will probably have a few more repeats of the SAF44 Massacre, before equality with the MILF/Bangsamoro- militarily and economically – wiill be achieved? And pls., don’t tell me the “proper safeguards” are in place to ensure that this will not happen.
It’s already happening now…
Henry says
Two choices. MILF should actively pursue terrorists and kidnapers and take over peace and order in their areas instead of turning a blind eye and coddling them or TOTAL WAR. Unless you want this farce to keep happening and you want the kidnapings and bombing to continue.
Peterpan says
Total war, as long as you relocate in war affected areas while war is happening and you let evacuees stay in your original house while war is raging. Deal?
emong says
A bit of good news.. sana tuloy tuloy na…
http://mb.com.ph/articles/369893/mindanaos-economy-humming-agriculture-up
adie says
Let us be an agent of PEACE. Taas-taasan natin ang ating anntena or pag uunawa at..magkaisa tayo at sabay sabay tayo mag balik for peace Ang ating pagtatagumpay ay nakasalalay sa ating mga kamay..Hawak kamay at harapin natin ang kinabukasan ng ating bansa ganun din sa susunod ng henerasyon..Ikahiya natin at matakot tayo sa Panginoon sapagkat ang Panginoon ay hindi kailan man makaramdan ng antok ni man makatulog. Ang panginoon ay sadyang makatarungan…
raissa says
And your point being –
Henry says
Understand how the Moros wage war before talking about peace. If they want peace then they should take over the peace and order function of government and actively pursue the JI, abu Sayaff and any lost command instead of hiding them and warning them if someone is after them. Unless you want the illusion of peace where they secretly help those group bomb, kidnap and plan the demise of who they consider “infidels”.
kawan says
since the beginning moros don’t want to be living in co existence with anybody. they will die for freedom’s sake as they call it.
If Mindanao is not a part of the Philippines then I would agree that AFP will honor the MILF’s right to arm themselves and act on an equivalent level.
If we cannot co exist with them peacefully, no matter what we intend to do will not materialize. We have no choice…. we will heed to war as the shortest way to gain peace, and make a point that the true meaning of war is peace. After the war whoever survives will benefit the true meaning of peace…. alone.
Steve R says
Rightly so, in my view, all out war is the only way to peace in Mindanao. The PH can’t allow a sub-state as it will be used to attack the entire PH as we know Abu Sayaffs and MILF rebels made statements that co-existence is not acceptable to them. Sayaffs and MILF are reported to have trained in Mid East countries & returned as highly trained terrorists. The LRT bombing that killed 14, 21 killed by bomb blast & 48 wounded at Davao Airport in 2003, One hundred sixteen (116) killed during the Superferrry bombing, the worst to date. In 2007 8 soldiers were killed as a result of armed rebels supported by armed villagers, 26 soldier were ambushed & killed, 14 marines were killed and 10 were of the marines were beheaded. In 2008 a convent was raided, one was killed. In 2009 3 Red cross workers were kidnapped 2 soldiers killed, 2 U.S. soldiers killed in Jolo & one teacher beheaded. There is nothing to negotiate in Mindanao. In Davao, street children were reported to have disappeared mysteriously & the mentality behind Mayor Duterte’s puching a court officer is not acceptable in any Democratic country.
raissa says
You know what, I’d like you to try living in Basilan or Maguindanao during an all-out war there.
If you really believe that’s the only way to peace, perhaps you should volunteer to fight.
MILF and Abu Sayyaf NEVER trained in Middle East. They trained in Pakistan and Afghanistan with Bin Laden forces.
Lorenzo Cureg says
Freedom is not free. If one party is not inclined for peace, the only solution is war. But for the sake of our country, let’s give peace a chance and try to feed the hungry. Perhaps, mindanao will a better place.
raissa says
thank you for joining the discussion.
Josh A says
How sure are you that the next generation of these muslim rebels will not take revenge for the death of their fathers/brothers in case the government win an all out war at present.
Manuel C. Diaz says
Read the Koran and the Sharia law, the Muslims are indoctrinated to kill all unbelievers that is us non Muslim!
Cassey says
TO ALL “OUT WAR IN MINDANAO” MOVERS, If you think WAR is the best way to resolve problems and issues, then try killing your children and partner when you have problems at HOME. Then, if it works for you to attain PEACE, then, we MUST have war.
The Philippines is OUR HOME where in every member of the family needs deep understanding and selfish-less care and love to attain PEACE and have a big happy family…
kawan says
It would be very difficult task to kill especially your own family but this will depend on the situation… like if you are an enlisted soldier of the AFP and as you have said your family is on the other side like the MILF its really hard and tough decision to make to kill them… but the law must be applied to all otherwise no law at all.
Steve R says
Cassey, You can not compare disciplining of children to that of the beheaded AFP marines in 2007 and the barbaric murders of six (6) soldiers in October 2011. The stern belief of MILF and Abu Sayyafs to die than to coexist with others in the Philippines has been reported in the news several times. Survey also have shown that only ten (10 %) percent of people in Mindanao are favoring non-coexistence with others who not not Muslims.
Henry says
that is the most childish and escapist, non logical arguement that I have ever heard. before talking, please read how the Moros wage war. This is real politic. Peace without commitment from both parties (meaning the MILF should if they want to take over all functions of government, keep peace and order, actively pursue JI, Abu Sayaff and any “lost command ” instead of codling, helping and secretly supporting them) is not peace at all. It just means you are too scared to look at reality and demand what is right. Do you not know their warrior culture and how they fight?
Jadjurie Arasa says
We had experienced in the fast presidents who were used military might in Mindanao and its island, but failed to address the problems, till today the problems still remain unsolved. The solutions now are in hands, minds and hearts of the scholars who honest, sincere, open-minded and above all God-fearing. In the University of the Philippines, there are so many experts both Muslims and Christians scholars to study the problems and applied a right solutions. I always adhere and remember the saying PEACE BETRAYS NO ONE BUT WAR DOES PARTICULARLY THE INNOCENT HAPLESS CIVILIANS. Are we happy to see, read and hear that (brothers/sisters) soldiers, Muslims and civilians killed every day?
kawan says
you should know MILF are no soft type of criminals if you want them to to live another day and sow terror….. hopefully one day they come to you and cut you into pieces.
Henry says
what is God fearing to you (and christians) is not necessarily the same for them. What you “Think” they should do is not necessarily what they would do. read up on how they wage war. they will demand autonomy, sign a deal but will turn a blind eye or even encourage terrorism. how do i know this. Because in the first place, if they were serious in holding their part then why do they not actively pursue the abu sayaff, Ji and other lost command groups. it seems they only fight those groups when their is a clan fight. Peace is not a one way street.
dats cal moro says
you are talking of a government failed experiment (uto2xnomy)
Ibrahim S. Omar says
Raissa, the Bangsamoro people owe you one! Again, thank you so much! In closing for now because this cannot be our last plea for lasting peace in Mindanao, we wish only to leave behind a thought of wisdom from a well-known man of peace, former Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr., who clearly emphasized:
“The reason why the government approaches so far have not succeeded in providing a just and lasting peace in the Moro land of Mindanao is that the efforts have been superficial. The Moros see through the superficiality of the solutions the government has thus far tried to address their grievances.”
“The government’s attempt to apply the divide-and-rule tactic to subjugate the Moro people has not succeeded. The government’s iron-fist approach exemplified by the military pacification campaigns against the Moro rebels has not succeeded. The government tactic to integrate the Moro people into the mainstream society of the country for the reason that they do not wish their identity as Muslims (“Moros”) to be erased by their integration into the mainly Christian culture of the people.”
“That is the principle nuance of this centuries-old conflict between the Moros of Mindanao and the government of our country from the Spanish era to the present. It is a nuance that seems to have been consistently overlooked or even ignored by governments in dealing with the Moro rebels.”
roger says
Raissa, in your article above, you said:
“On top of this, Estrada’s popularity was tumbling from a fresh batch of scandals. A Catholic nun, Sr. Christine Tan who then headed the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, disclosed that 87% or P430 million of the P495 million intended for its charity projects had been diverted to the offices of President Estrada, his wife, Luisa, and his son, Jinggoy.
Estrada’s Vice-President then – someone named Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo – warned that the fund diversion “will result in the waning trust of the people in the government.””
During her term, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has allowed the diversion of millions of PCSO funds to its intelligence which amount is even higher than that allocated to the intelligence of the military.
My question: Can we not fault her of being untrue to herself, saying one thing and doing another? With all these allegations of anomalies (fund diversion, rigging of elections, etc) during her administration, did they not result in the waning of people’s trust in her government?
Thanks for this article, it’s very enlightening. I can explain why American natives are called Indians though they’re not from India but this is the first time I’ve learned how the word “Moro” came about.
tedd. says
siguro ay dapat na gawin ng ng mga namumuno ng sanadatahang lakas para gawin ang dapat huwag kayong matakot ikakaso sa inyo ng pinaka pinunu ninyo na kasuhan kayo dahil isya ay isang walang pag papahalaga sa inyong karapatan o kaligtasan ngayon nalalaman na ninyo na ang may kagagawan ng lahat ay binigyan pa ng badget kay educastion ng kabataan at ng hukom diyan kung may mga pag iisip ang mga tao mas mahalaga sa kanya ang mag bigay ng badget sa MILF kaysa mag bigay ng tamang badget sa edukastion at sa hukum ng ating bansa,at ngayon ay sasabihin pa niya na imbistigahan ang mga sandatahang lakas ng nag babantay ng ating kaligtasan , anong klasing pangulo ito mag isipkayo mga kababayan dahil dito palang ay nakikita na ang kanyang pag kukulang ang kanyang pinahahalagahan ay ang mga nakapaligid sa kanya lumalabas na wala siyang saring pagiisip ito ay sarili kung upinyon dahil ako kahit ako isang mamamayan lang ay nakikita ko ang pagkukulang ng pangulo ,dahil binigyan pa niya ng badget ang MILF para lumakas ang kanilang sandatahan ano ba ang nasaisip mo kababayan sa ginawa nito ng ating pangulo ito ba ay tama ,kayo na ang humusga .
vander anievas says
ano raw???
BFD says
Oo nga, ano raw????
Sana naman kung magsusulat ka rin lang, linawin mo na. Medyo nakakalito, Ay hindi pala, nalito ako sa walang humpay at walang hintong pagbabasa,
Mac McCarty says
In the poorest part of the country, where the fighters all have one thing in common: the more you fight them the more their numbers grow and the more committed to fighting they become; where live the poorest of the nation’s poor who do want to live peaceful lives & who often lose what little they’ve managed to hold on to once they are displaced by fighting; where the government’s anti-poverty strategies are rendered as good as useless—partly because the fighters, who wish to maintain the suffering of the poor as a power base, thus drive off people trying to help the poor, and partly because the government troops and local government officials either try to enrich themselves at government expense and/or want to use anti-poverty as a propaganda tool—in the midst of all this suffering, there are people who actually advocate “total war!” And so much of the public listens and agrees. Something’s wrong with this picture.
Ibrahim S. Omar says
Peace, not war, in Mindanao can save the Filipino and Bangsamoro nationalities the kindness of history. Both the colonizer and colonized humanity in this part of the world should not let history be unkind to them. They should not permit themselves to be condemned to perpetual genocidal extermination war. Surely, the Christians, Muslims and Highlanders of Mindanao desire and need peace, not war, in shaping their definite destiny and prosperity.
The peaceful Filipino and Bangsamoro communities should be wary of “peace saboteurs” and “war-provocateurs” in the Philippine military and government service because peace, not war, is what the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao need now in moving forward towards development and progress.
Until now, the Filipino nation is still known as the “sick man of Asia.” There is no logical wisdom in transforming always the Bangsamoro homeland of Mindanao into a constant catastrophic humanitarian disaster zone due to All-Out War in the wake of the peace process.
In achieving a comprehensive peaceful solution to the decades-old Filipino-Moro war in Mindanao, the peace talks between the Manila government and the Bangsamoro freedom fighters must be given more weight than shooting war agitated by some emotional Christian Filipino leaders.
Finally, in putting closure to the centuries-long Mindanao conflict , the Philippine political and military leadership should now be reconciled to the idea and historical truth that the suffering Bangsamoro people of Mindanao have been too long colonized by the Spaniards, Americans, Japanese and Filipinos.
They now need a break and breathing spell from Philippine colonialism because, similarly, they also need freedom to determine their distinct bright future. Hopefully, under the present Philippine Aquino government that is all-out for “just and lasting peace,” not for “All-Out War”, the peaceful event leading to Mindanao peace shall come to pass.
“Peace is not the silence of the cemeteries…It is the generous contribution of all to the good of all,” said Oscar Romero of El Salvador.
raissa says
I totally agree with you, Ibra, except for one thing.
YOu are Filipinos too. But Filipinos with JUST GRIEVANCES.
I know, I know, we’ve had this argument before.
I used the word “Filipino” to mean that I wish in the future we have a shared destiny as one nation and the people of Mindanao, especially the Muslims and ethnic groups there, have a distinct and influential voice.
epoy says
Kung si ETA ROSALES ay all out war kay makoy, so be it sa muslim…. pareho lang sila…. gantihan lang ang mangyayari…….kuha mo….
raissa says
Walang comparison yan.
epoy says
Bakit wala, consistent ba sa policy… hindi …
Khal says
@Epoy, so maggegeneralize tayo? Muslim talaga i-all out war? Racial cleansing yan. :(
Ibrahim S. Omar says
Thanks, Raissa, for agreeing! Now, let us be clear, once and for all. In our UPD PhD class with Prof. Miclat, while discussing identity crisis, he expressed surprise why the Abbas brothers (late Jun and Ferdausi) never considered themselves “Filipinos”, but always maintained being “Moros.” Politely, I reacted, informing him that in history the Filipinos were the siblings of the Christian Catholic Spanish colonizers born in Luzon and Visayas, including the Christianized native “Indios”, who in 1872 adopted to be identified “Filipinos”. They were later used by the Spanish colonizers as “spies and footsoldiers” (Dr. Cesar Adib Majul, History of the Muslims) to fight their dirty war against the Muslims or “Moros” of Mindanao. Simply, there is no way for the Moros or Muslims to be called or identified as “Filipinos”. From that time on, he always referred to me as “our Moro student” or “Moro colleague.” So, seeking your objectivity and understanding, let me be more candid to illuminate that to the Bangsamoro people there is no difference between the Spanish colonizer’s policy of “Christianization” and today Filipino’s “Filipinization.” The colonial policy did not and will never contribute positive value for peaceful co-existence between peace-loving nationalities. Modestly, I have exhaustively discussed this identity issue in the book , “Bangsamoro Question: Autonomy, Federalism or Independence?”, published by LAP. In closing, Raissa, please forgive my being a Bangsamoro whose fault in life is passionately loving freedom similarly like you, a patriotic Filipino! And this could also mean that we can forever remain wise and responsible friendly Malays. My deepest salam greetings to your husband and family!
ROMAN RAMA GUERRERO says
Hi Ibra,
May I have your reaction to my post below.
The Spaniards erred in calling Muslims in Mindanao Moros, in the same manner that Columbus erred in calling the Indians of America. The name Moro was the pejorative form of Moriscos who were Arab-speaking Muslims in ancient Spain. They opted to embrace Christianity when the last Muslim stronghold of Granada fell in Spanish war for reconquest (reconquista). They did it so they be allowed to stay and keep their lives and properties. Philip II had their claimed Christianity investigated by the Spanish Inquisition which declared them heretics, so they were horribly exterminated. The Muslims in Mindanao never converted to Christianity. For this reason, they should not be called Moros but Muslims just as I recall during my elementary and high school years when Muslims feel bad or uncomfortable being called Moro. Today, the reverse appears to be true.
Ibrahim S. Omar says
Hello and Salam, Roman! Thanks to our dearest friend, Raissa, and to you that we can share notes on Filipino and Moro identity. If you would permit me, we wish to discuss both your insights on Muslim/Moro clarification and Filipino name change. First on the identity Moro: History has recorded that when the Catholic Spanish soldiers arrived in Luzon from Visayas sent by Legazpi, they saw and encountered in the area now Manila two settlements. One settlement was inhabited by natives practicing the same culture and religion of the Muslims (called “Moors, Maurus or Mauris”) of Mauretania in the Iberian peninsula. Supported by the Muslim Arabs, the Muslims of Mauretania conquered and ruled Spain for 872 years. Thus, the Spaniards called “Moros” (short spelling of “Maurus”) the native inhabitants practicing the same religion with the Muslim people of Mauretania. On the other hand, the other settlement was composed of native inhabitants worshiping spirits, etc. Plainly animists. The Spaniards called them “Indios,” who later were Christianized and adopted in 1872 (GOMBURZA period) to be called “Filipinos”. The original Filipinos were the siblings/offspring of the Spanish colonizers born in Luzon and Visayas. When the Manila-based Spanish colonizers started invading and “christianizing” the Muslims or Moros of Mindanao, they even used the Christianized native Indios as “spies and footsoldiers” in their conquest war. (Cesar Adib Majul, Muslims in the Philippines). Also, both the original Christian Filipinos and Christianized Indios were subjects of King Philip II and colonial slaves of the Spanish colonizers. Clearly, the Muslims or Moros never can practice Christianity and that they never became “subjects or colonial slaves” of the Spanish kingdom because they fought and never surrender to the Spanish invaders. Thus, the Moros look at the Spanish colonizers’ policy of “Christianization” the same with today Filipino’s imposed policy of “Filipinazation” that never did work and never will. Consequently, the Muslims of Bangsamoro (Moro Nation) struggled against the Americans, Japanese and until now against the Filipinos, who assumed the colonial mantle of the foreign aggressors, to regain their cherished freedom and liberty enjoyed since the Sultanate Islamic government was established in 1450.
Per historical footnote, the “Philippine Republic” was only established by both the American and Filipino politicians in July 4, 1946, incorporating arbitrarily the Bangsamoro homeland of Mindanao and Sulu (MINSUPALA) and Mountain Province (Igorot Cordillera Region) without even conducting any democratic process (consultation, referendum or plebiscite). On this note, a visionary Igorot, Joseph F. Fallon, has expressed his misgiving. He said: “After so many decades of abuse and betrayal, for the Moros and Igorots to trust Manila and to remain with the Philippines would not only be naive, it would be suicidal.”
Modestly again (hopefully Raissa would forgive me), we’ve discussed all these historical antecedents in the published book now circulating worldwide: “Bangsamoro Question: Autonomy, Federalism or Independence?” and also on the updated version, “Bangsamoro Perspective: Search for Peaceful Mindanao,” which is being published now by a British publishing company. On the issue of name change for Filipinas or Philippines, we can continue discussing this if you don’t have anymore clarification on the identity issue. Again, thank you, Roman, for calling our attention to shed light on this topic!
roger says
“One settlement was inhabited by natives practicing the same culture and religion of the Muslims (called “Moors, Maurus or Mauris”) of Mauretania in the Iberian peninsula.”
Just a small question; isn’t “Mauretania” along the Mediterranean coast of Africa and not in the Iberian peninsula (Europe)? Thanks.
Ibrahim S. Omar says
Thanks for the clarification! In case you’re in the Philippines or one day to be in Quezon City area, please read the ‘Juris Doctor Thesis’, “Islam and the 1987 Philippine Constitution: An Issue on the Practice of Religion,” Ateneo de Manila University, 1999, Edilwasif I. Baddiri. If my source erred then shame on me!
Now, let us discuss the ‘name change’ issue. We need your reaction and that of our iconic model journalist friend, Ms. Raissa Robles, before we incorporate this in our next book.
ROMAN RAMA GUERRERO says
“You can not solve a problem with the same consciousness that created the problem” – Einstein. To the end, we put forward a proposal to end root of this conflict which – gov’t. seem to overlook – the Muslim alienation and lost sense of belonging in the Christian-dominated mainstream Philippine society. Put simply, a Muslim who value their sense of honor (maratabat) can not and will never accept being Filipino for the reason that the identity is derived from Philip II – their faith ancestors worst enemy in ancient Iberia(Spain). BUT, THERE IS A WAY TO STILL BE FILIPINO NO LONGER NAMED AFTER PHILIP II but after one who is Islam’s most honored and respected woman, Maryam (Sura XIX; Holy Quran). How do we do that? By switching the present root word PILIPI in our country’s name PILIPINAS into PILI INA; that means from PILI ‘PI or “Chosen by ‘Pi” (short for Ipe, the popular nickname for Philip) into “Chosen by Ina” (referring to Ina(ng Maria) or Maryam to the Muslims. True, it is Catholic as the name PILIPINAS is Catholic but could also be Islamic. Further on, it could also be catholic meaning universal because of the incontestable truth that no one among all mankind is born into this world other than through a woman called MOTHER (Ina, Mama, Nanay, Mom). From Filipinos named after Philip II into Filipinos named after Ina(ng Maria) or Maryam. Surely, this new and better Filipino identity is not only acceptable to the Muslims but to all peoples of all color and creed in this planet where Filipinos are now found. Are we suggestion a global Filipino identity, Yes, of course!
Ibrahim S. Omar says
Roman, your insight on ‘name change’ is quite a revelation, but sad to say, not substantial enough because it doesn’t change the name except the concept. Here’s one startling but controversial revelation from Atty. Ely Velez Pamatong, who similarly like you want to input peaceful solution to the raging Filipino-Moro conflict in Mindanao. And also want to “salvage” the Filipino nation from impending socio-economic and political total collapse/decadence.
In a group conversation with him, he pointed out that the Philippines and the identity Filipino is a “curse” from inception because the name is in honor of King Philip II, who is plainly known in history as an “immoral king of inequities” and a “tyrant, racial and religious bigot”, who shamelessly died of a dreadful venereal disease like Christopher Columbus (declared at the closing 20th century by the South Americans as “master pirate of the century”).
Atty. Pamatong explained that in Spain, there’s no street or building named after King Philip II because the Spaniards are ashamed of the immoral king, but unfortunately, the “Filipinos” have embraced this shame and cursed identity. He further emphasized that the Philippines can never progress as a cursed nation and can never produce leaders working for the interest of the country, but only for their personal interest.
Citing the “cursed” Filipino leaders from the beginning, he branded “criminal” the first Philippine Republic President Emilio Aguinaldo, who masterminded the killing of the ‘great proletariat’ Andres Bonifacio; Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon was “immoral who even used his first cousin wife to pimp for him”; President Sotero Laurel was a “Japanese collaborator”; Presidents Sergio Osmena, Sr., Manuel Roxas, Elpidio Quirino, Ramon Magsaysay, Carlos Garcia and Diosdado Macapagal were all puppets of American Imperialism, multi-national capitalists and oligarch groups and during their watches the societal problems, such as poverty, corruption and peace and order, were on the rise instead of decreasing; the following successors – President Ferdinand Marcos was a “dictator, plunderer and a disgrace”; President Corazon Aquino glamorized ‘Kamaganak, Inc.’ and “declared all lands subject for ‘Agrarian Reform’ except Hacienda Lucieta”; President Fidel Ramos “surprisingly became major stockholders of big shopping malls in Hongkong, Singapore and India”; President Joseph Estrada “was just a convicted plunderer and proud womanizer”; and President Gloria M Arroyo became the “most corrupt in Philippine history”.
On this sad note, Atty. Pamatong theorized that there’s no way for the cursed Filipino nation to attain prosperity and development, lagging behind now to all ASEAN countries. He emphasized that under PGMA regime, the Philippines still labeled as “sickman of Asia” had become the “most corrupt country in Asia presided over by the most corrupt president in history.” He concluded that one day Philippines shall become the most corrupt nation in the world presided by the most corrupt president ever in global history due to the curse carried since the beginning.
Because of this, thus, he proposed that the Philippines must be exorcised of its cursed name by following the precedence encountered by other countries, like Thailand (Siam), SriLanka (Colombo), Myanmar (Burma), etc.
Mentioning other conscious Filipinos advocating name change, he positively recalled ConCon Delegate Araneta in 1972 proposing “Republic of Rizalia” (citizens: Rizalians); National Assembly Delegate Eddie Ilarde in 1977 advocating “Republic of Maharlika” (Maharlikans); Congressman Felix Amante submitting a bill in Congress during Aquino regime renaming Philippines to “Republic of Bayani” (Bayanis or Bayanians); and the Mindanao Christians circulating a manifesto calling for “Republic of Luzviminda” (Luzviminians or Luzvimindans) instead of “Philippines/Filipinos.”
Closing the conversation, Atty. Pamatong complimented our group by exhorting us, “you Bangsamoro people are very lucky, you have a national identity that you can be proud of unlike the Filipinos.” In truth, that time we didn’t take him seriously, but now with the problems – AFP-Moro war; AFP-NDF/NPA war; mysterious ASG kidnapping activities; pervasive corruption in government (both political and military); escalating massive poverty and rising hunger; uncontrolled political insanity (warlordism, dynasty, political murder, including media people); economic and educational depression (unemployment, mass migration and growing illiteracy), etc. – we find his analysis closer to the truth.
Atty. Pamatong believed that the name change could end the Mindanao war since no Moro in his right sense could accept being a “Christian Catholic Filipino/Indio and once slave of the Spanish colonizers.
The other remedy he also proposed to solve the Mindanao problem and to save the cursed Filipino nation from eventual collapse is “status quo ante” for the Philippines, explaining that the country revert back into being a state or colony of the United States of America and conducting a referendum to effect the political course “to end the corrupt Filipino politicians governing like hell the country.”
What’s your honest reaction to these peaceful proposals?
raissa says
Dear Ibra,
But you yourselves took the accursed name “Moro” and turned it around to mean something positive.
Your discussions on the name Philippines are very interesting. Esp the one about no street in Spain being named after King Philip.
Thanks for taking the time out.
Please put paragraph indentions, though.
If you notice, re-blocked your one paragraph reply into several paragraphs for easier reading.
Short paragraphs are easier to read.
Thanks,
Raissa
oca321 says
Dear Ibrahim:
Nice exchange of interesting information from both you and Roman…
One short note though, Mauritania is in northwest Africa, west of Mali and south of Morocco…while Sri Lanka is the former Ceylon…
Thanks..
Rallie F. Cruz says
Easy for us to say,”Peace not war” is the best solution. Yet, often we ask , “Peace on whose terms?” If there is only one kind of peace available for all, then it may happen.
The irony is that both sides may have found war as the best way to make money without declaring how much they made by showing how much did the taxpayers have been losing in engaging in this atrocities. The taxpayers cannot make final decision to stop the war because it is always made sure that there is a valid reason and cause for getting into war.
There are outside money making forces supporting the rebels with arms and people too (so you should not be surprise why The AFP would claim they killed two hundred and yet the rebels would claim less because they only counted those they officially have within the group and exclude those outsiders who joined them. One reason why some killed were headless or remained unaccounted for). This also includes some members of our own AFP selling arms to rebels not necessarily for just earning money but for perpetuating wars as a good reason for budget appropriations.
This is never a war about God but about Greed.
Ibrahim S. Omar says
Rallie, the Bangsamoro freedom fighters, who are risking their precious lives, are not receiving salaries unlike the AFP soldiers. Their only fault (“crime” to the Filipino colonizers) in life is their passionate love for freedom usurped by the older Filipino politicians, like Manuel Quezon, Sergio Osmena, Sr, Claro M. Rector, Elpidio Quirino and others. Only for megalomaniac, economic and political greed like the Spanish, American and Japanese colonizers before them. This is the tragedy of it all!
dar cortez says
Most filipinos want peace , feeling ng mga kapatd ntng rebeldeng muslim inaapi sla.They even use islam to justify their doings .The sufferings of muslims in Mindanaw is cause by them. In my opinion dapat mgkaroon ng referendum to our muslim brothers and sisters ,to those who want to be seperated as one country, bgyan ng gobyerno ng portion ng Mindanaw enough to accomodate them.Everybody happy mgkakaroon ng peace walng gulo and both can start a new peaceful country.
Ibrahim S. Omar says
Mr. Dar Cortez: The Bangsamoro people agree with your proposal. When the Bangsamoro homeland of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan (MINSUPALA) was incorporated into the Philippine Republic in 1946, the Muslims or Moros were never extended elementary courtesy of democratic process -public consultation, referendum or plebiscite – to determine whether they like to be a member of the newly-established Filipino nation or not.
Despite the formal protest of the Bangsamoro people to become part of the Philippine Republic, they were arbitrarily integrated into the colonial system, thus, resulting to the present Mindanao war. For the sake of justice and fairness, the most comprehensive solution to the Mindanao problem today is your proposal to hold a referendum to determine the genuine sentiments of the Muslims. Either to remain a part of the Filipino Nation or to establish a Moro Nation of their own for the sake of “just and lasting peace” for all.
Indonesia had conducted a referendum for Catholics of East Timor and likewise Sudan held a referendum for the Christians and animists of South Sudan. Thus, why can’t a proud Catholic nation like the Philippines hold a legitimate referendum for the colonized Muslims of Mindanao for the sake of peace?
Again, thanks Raissa, for the given opportunity to air our “grievances”!
raissa says
You’re welcome.
Manuel C. Diaz says
The Sultanate of Sulu was a sovereign nation predating colonial Philippines. Why was it abandoned?
Edwin says
The only winners in a war are those corporate giants who are in the busines of producing and selling war equipments.
Frances Deniel says
Repost from Inday Sara Duterte’s Facebook Wall:
A CALL FOR RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM. Please stop using the phrase “krisis sa Mindanao” o “kaguluhan sa Mindanao” on your news reports.
Mindanao is a very big island. While a tragedy indeed happened in Basilan, it is only a part of a big land area. It is a disservice to all who live in Mindanao in peace. People who are not from Mindanao tend to think that there chaos all over here when there is none.
If a bombing happens in Makati in Manila for instance, you would not call it a “Luzon crisis or problem”, would you? You have to be more sensitive and professional bec media has the ability to affect the consciousness of the viewers. You can help the country achieve what it desires. Choosing your words well in your news report is matters a whole lot.
raissa says
Interesting point you brought up.
Journalists tend to use “Mindanao crisis” as a kind of shortcut especially when writing spot news (brief news in 5 paragraphs or less) for a foreign audience. In the same way that the word “Philippines” is used even if a bomb goes off in some remote town in Maguindanao.
What this also means is, we are in this TOGETHER.
We need to find a way to bring peace all over the islands.
But I see your point.
epoy says
thats what i said, media can tell the people makoy is bad and cory is good….same thing as that how the media portray something…to the mind of people… where is responsible journalism???? none at all…. dont expect good citizen as well.
raissa says
Responsible journalism is when media tells people Makoy is bad.
jon says
And became irresponsible when media tells cory is a saint.
vander anievas says
you said that
spike says
All-Out-War against them should be realized…
kasi, hindi titigil sa pang aapi ang mga yan kung wala tayong gagawin, kung hindi tayo lalaban patuloy silang maninira, papatay & kung anu-ano pang karahasan. Phil. Gov’t kept their words on peace-talks, yet, the other never keep their promises..
dapat turuan ng leksyon..
raissa says
Now that it’s turning out that the military operation that brought on the tragedy was unauthorized by higher military officers, do you still feel the same way?
dar cortez says
All out war is not a solution, In vietnam thousands of americans and civilians were killed during the vietnam war,americans left vietnam.Now in Iraq almost everyday may suicide bomber,wag ntin hyaan mangyari ito.I think we need the help of a third party to settle the disputes.
Exasperated says
When the security and integrity of the state is threatened by elements who seek to destroy it, then war is the only way. I am from Mindanao, born and raised in this beautiful island. We have more to lose and gain on the outcome of war against secessionist. We, above all people in this country, want peace in our island. But sadly successive goverments have appeased the MNLF/MILF, bowing to their demands for autonomous regions while spitting at our goverment for its lack of courage and determination to end the problem that has plagued the island for over 30 years. True, that local politicians seek to extend the conflict for their own interest. There is much money to be made when their is conflict. But, the longer this war of secession drags on the more blood and treasure will be spilled in the coming years. War is ugly, it is a monster that rears its ugly head and kills the hopes and dreams of our country. Yet it is as necessary to the state in order to ensure its survival. Ask Mindanaoans what they think..you would be surprised that a majority favor it. If Manila would have let us have our way a long time ago we wouldn’t be having this problem now.
raissa says
Maybe because majority of residents in Magindanao are resettlers there?
I’m trying not to call them Christians because this is not a religious conflict.
The ethnic groups there, many of whom are Muslims, have legitimate grievances and no amount of all out war will make them stop because for them to do so would be to die.
epoy says
All out war by means of weapons and bomb…. no way! All out war by means of political will, economic plan, anti corruption crusade, employment and job security… yes!
Pnoy aquino run for president with the word ” all out war ” against poverty…. so its long ago he declare all out war…. I am waiting results until this time……
jun2 says
dapat pulbusin na yang mga hayop na yan…a good moro is a dead moro…mga traidor yan.
pagud na kami sa mindanao sa kahayupan nila….or dapat isegragate na yan sila sa mga christian areas …doon lang sila sa ARMM pwede magtira.
raissa says
HOw about let them secede na lang.
Payag ka?
dar cortez says
Sa akn I agree.war means lots of killings and sufferings.Let the people choose in Mindanaw and let them govern their on country for the sake of peace.kht msakt isipin as a filipino na mahiwaly ang some portions of Mindanaw.
dats cal moro says
higit sa lahat kapayapaan
adie says
Please have fear to almighty Allah the only one without partners..brother mag balik aral ka especially to ask somebody faithful pious person..Basta huwag lang sa Priest ha,, kasi sila ang tunay ng kalaban ng bansa.Alam mo sa totoo lang if ma realize mo in return maisip mo kung bakit tayo nagkaganito dahil ipinag lihim nila ang mga pangyayari bara kalimutan ng kalimutan natin ang kasaysayan ng Bansa..
victor says
Joseph Estrada have the same low-down and bird-brain personalities that truly need enormous education. By emulating an all-out-war created by that ex-convict, the dirt-poor MILF would be able to beg other countries for financial support. What these beggars can do is to dress-up their female loved ones including their wives, to walk the streets at night and sell themselves for all kinds of sex acts to sex maniacs; these will provide them with financial needs to support their messed-up cause. And if this simple idea doesn’t work, they themselves can dress-up like females and wear high heel shoes; they can start-off with that dummy Joseph, I’m sure he’d appreciate it even if his manhood has already evaded him.
Evangeline Eriksson says
Wow! I learned something about how President Estrada was like.
Chevy says
You have actually two choices:
1. Give the Muslims what they want ie their own country.
2. Secure the border then crash those radical Muslims until no one is left.
It’s been like that since I was a kid. How many negotiations the government have been through and ceased fire? I lost count already. Those are the 2 choices you have left.
raf says
For almost century of being nice to Luzon and Visayas,MORO is becoming squatter on its own HOMELAND. Let’s give WAR a chance…
raissa says
We did in the 1970s.
It just worsened.
taga mindanao says
I believe that if Mindanao was to be free of those rebels. we must eliminate and dismantle ever single one of their bases. I believe Erap did an excellent job but I hope the succeeding goverment pursued those rebels to the ends of the world. But now the rebels say they hide in the marshes of Mindanao and forests of Basilan, then we must burn their marshes and forest. Just to show how serious we are. its either they submit to the will of the goverment or face the consequences. Not only do we eliminate the threat of those rebels but we also destory those hiding places of the Abu Sayaff. Anyway, I’m tired listening to the demands of these rebels when they themselves cannot hold their end of the bargain.
Peace was given a chance and ,sadly, those rebels blew away their last chance of coexisting peacefully with us. Its time for War.
raissa says
Really.
do you realize the Moros have never been conquered by the Spaniards? And in the end the Americans signed an accord with them practically letting them govern themselves?
And the dictator Marcos threw nearly the entire weight of the military and still nearly lost Mindanao?
taga mindanao says
Yes the haven’t been conquered but ever since Erap has demolished their bases, the MILF has been scattered into smaller groups. If the Military are freed from the bounds the hold them, the rebellion will stop. we can give them an ultimatum,either they choose to coexist with us or the cease to exist.
These rebels have been give too much leniency. Its high time the government should put and end.
raissa says
Er, I think you’re dreaming, really.
The military would have to do a scorched earth type of operation but even then, it would not succeed because the world will step in to stop it.
Marcos tried, you know. And did pretty badly.
Joseph says
Erap was thrown out from the presidency before he can finish the job. All the gains from his all out war was wasted.
There are forces and groups with interests in Mindanao that supports the MILF. US? your guess is as good as mine.
raissa says
Yes, definitely US.
Manuel C. Diaz says
Should we atom bomb the Muslim rebels? or should we amend our Constitution to go Federal parliamentary system so Muslims can govern themselves but with in the Federal system.Do we pattern our Federal system to the Swizz Cantons or the United States of America?BTW the term Filipinos refers to the Spaniards born in the Island. The natives were called Indios.
bubi78 says
who says that marcos nearly lost mindanao? im from zamboanga city and i’ve never heard that mindanao was in any danger of being lost to anybody, not to the mnlf neither to the milf.
raissa says
Gen. Fortunato Abat told me in an exclusive interview. He even wrote a book entitled – The Day we Nearly Lost Mindanao. I have a copy.
He was Marcos’ commanding general in the Mindanao wars.
raf says
As MORO, give chance to WAR. For almost century of being nice to people in Luzon and Visayas, we are becoming squatter in our own HOMELAND.
taga mindanao says
I dont think your a squatter. I think your more of an intolerable neighbor. We tried coexisting peacefully with most of you. I’ve been to places where you dominate in numbers and those places couldn’t develop. Just take a look at Cotabato, Manguindanao, Lanao, Basilan. In these places, even muslims cannot live safely.
vhlopez says
consider: soldiers wanting an all out war have the right to, but do civiians outside the war torn areas and without relative-soldiers have the right to ask for total war? Are politicians egging the goverment willing to give up their pork barrel to support the war effort? Are the war mongers paying the correct taxes and not tax evaders so the soldiers can be provided with the wherewithal to win the war? Just asking considering that the U.S. is bleeding in Iraq, financially and literally its countless soldiers. Let’s give Pnoy a chance to earn the trust
of the majority of our Muslim brothers and negotiate the peace we all desire.
Mer Pints says
Isang tanong lang, sa ating bansa sino ba ang masusunod rebelde o pamahalaan? Walang may gusto sa all out war pero sa araw araw na lang na may napapatay na sundalo ano ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
Sa nangyayari ngayon na tila baga napakadali na lang pumatay ng mga sundalo o kaya’y pulis itong mga rebelde, kung hindi pa umaksiyon ang pamahalaan para ano pa ang silbi ng ating armed forces?
Sa akin lang para mapigilan itong all out war na ayaw naman nating lahat, dapat ang mga rebelde at militar ay kapuwa igalang ang peace talk.
At para naman makita ang sinsiridad ng MILF dapat ay isurrender nila ang mga criminal elements na nasa kanilang hanay o kinukopkop ng kanilang mga tropa.
manuelbuencamino says
Raissa,
I read the link on Laquian. You know what really grabbed me was that bit about Maceda lasting only 6 days in a pre-martial law administration. Ano kaya ang naging kasalanan niya at sinipa siya ni Marcos after only 6 days?
nanie geronimo says
Digmaan ang paraan ng walang makitang ibang daan. Hindi ito ang kaisa-isang nakalaang paraan upang makatamo ang kapayapaan at magkaisa ang bayan. Ang buhay at kabuhayang nawawaldas ng dahas ng digmaan ay hindi masusukulian ng kahit anong pangako ng paghihiganti. Dugo pa rin ng Pilipino ang aagos, at magiging mailap pa rin ang katahimikan.
Wala sa digmaan kundi sa pagkakaunawaan ang sagot. Hindi bala at baril, kundi mahinahong pagbabalangakas ng mga dulog. Higit na maaksaya ang digmaan. Ang tamang paraan, isang komprehensibong solusyong politikal na magbibigay ng kataranungan, kabuhayan, kalinangan sa lahat ng tao sa Mindanaw, lalo’s sa lugar ng Sulu, Tawi Tawi, Basilan, at karatig na mga lalawigan.
jhonas briones says
Lahat ng Filipino sa mundo ay nagnanais ng katahimikan sa ating bansa. Mahaba-habang panahon na rin ang ating hinintay, subalit, sadyang mailap sa ating lahat ang pagkakataon.
Minsan, naiisip ko, durugin na silang lahat lalot kung naalala ko ang nangyari sa panganay kong anak noong siya at ay halos 2 taon pa lamang. Doon ko rin nabatid, hindi dahil sa MNLF/MILF o maging sa Abu Sayaf man ang dahilan sa mga kaguluhang ito – ito ay dahil na rin sa hanay ng ating sandatahang lakas mismo na nagbebenta ng kanila-kanilang sarili o mga nasamsam na mga armas legal man o sa illegal na kaparaanan.
Papaano mo sila masasawata kung ang presyo ng baril ay mas mura pa kumpara sa presyo ng manok sa pelengke. Idagdag mo pa riyan ang kawalan ng sapat na edukasyon sa mga kapatid nating muslim.
Maging ang paghahanap ng mapapasukang trabaho sa sariling bayan nila, sila ay pinagkakaitan pa – saan/ano kaya ang sa palagay ninyo ang gagawin ng isang nilalang lalo’t kung nagugutom ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay.
I am in favor of all out war(dahil gusto ko ng katahimikan) kung nakalatag na lahat ang alternatibong solusyon sa kahirapan ng taga-Mindanao. At isa pa, alisin muna ni Pnoy ang mga anay na namamahay sa AFP.
Mark Anthony Siason says
What is the cost of lawlessness to the Philippine economy as a whole, to the economy of Basilan and neighboring provinces and cities, to the social development of the communities unreached by proper education? What is the cost of law unenforced in this part of the country where leaders can amass so much ill-gotten wealth including lands of poor peoples because laws are not implemented because the enforcement agencies are not given enough power and capabilities to do their job? What is the cost of those? We do not speculate on the facts and treat another’s opinion as fact. We don’t support an “all out war” policy, but we want the government to own up to its responsibility of protecting the people, enforcing the laws and providing for our social, economic, and political development. Where we could feel secured and free. Free to practice our faith without discrimination, free from fear, free to do business and enjoy the fruits of our labors. For once, let us call on the government to free Basilan. We never wanted war but we are victims of it. We just want to live peacefully and productively side by side with fellow Basileneos regardless if faith, religion, profession etc. We want a society where freedom exist, where property rights are protected, where laws are enforced, where we could feel safe and secure living in harmony with each other. Now the question is, are those too what other people want? Does the MILF also faithfully want the same for everybody?
raissa says
I agree with you.
It’s time for PNoy to show the stuff he’s made of in Mindanao.
Aiden says
Whaaat??? Is that all you can say? that is the alternative question to ur article. Raissa that is not the answer to the question Mark is asking… Pnoy has nothing to do with it.. it is a question asked to the people living in the wartorn areas!
All out war! that is the solution! we have already given all modes of peace for them! Bakit nanalo pa rin sa Mindanao si Erap last 2010 elections? because people wants to annihilate the MILF, MNLF and Abusayaff…
They wont stay in their places and live peacefully. They will encroach and keep on encroaching and will use terrorism as a means to again call for peace negotiation etc etc just to expand their control.
Sana makita mo ang cycle ng panggago ng mga MILF, MNLF, and Abus.. isa lang yan… ngayon me peace agreement na, me BIFF na naman… ano ba talaga?
raissa says
Pls read –
What would an ‘All-Out War’ in Mindanao cost us?
http://raissarobles.com/2011/10/24/what-would-an-all-out-war-in-mindanao-cost-us/
netty says
You have the insight of the issues and aware of the priority each side must commit to and also for the people to choose which side they want to be.
Every conflict has two sides, the one for the govt and the one for the interest of the people especially the people immediately affected by the decision on the issue. I am on an ongoing process of learning on my journey in life and wanted to share some of what i picked on that path, on my slightly better understanding of the process of existence. It is like a game of the cosmos. (note: being respectful for the huge loss of life).
We have just two choices, one for PEACE/MONEY SPENT-(DEATH-LESS WARFARE) 2. WAR/ MONEY WASTED (ALL OUT WAR/DEATH-LIVES LOST)
“We don’t support an “all out war” policy, but we want the government to own up to its responsibility of protecting the people, enforcing the laws and providing for our social, economic, and political development.”
Every nation is given a test as part of their being human, how they take care of each other and of the planet, the president being the one responsible for either the goodness or damnation of all, while each one is also tested on an individual basis the outcome of which could affect everyone in the general scheme of things for we are one. It is like a game especially in the aftermath of the utmost jubilation in the showing of faith and religion that again makes a great division on people. Why it is always that religion and money are the tools used for the tests? It’s because the people are given the choice of their human want of money for short-term gratification or choose peace for long term co-existence with each other. Then we are either being doomed or blessed, when all else fails, we go for extinction.
When the leaders and their agencies choose goodness and peace for humanity rather than war and money then we won’t be heading for destruction. Many leaders have failed, chose money and war like what Raissa has mentioned on the article. Looked what happened.
“We never wanted war but we are victims of it. We just want to live peacefully and productively side by side with fellow Basileneos regardless if faith, religion, profession etc. We want a society where freedom exist, where property rights are protected, where laws are enforced, where we could feel safe and secure living in harmony with each other”
The country is given chances of redemption again and again but sabotaged their own destiny/intention again for money and religion.
Now it’s up to PINOY to choose. Is he going to sacrifice everything between peace and war? Is he going to uphold peace, respect for life and help the people even though many have died because of their own interest/ and others decisions?
Various leaders and others with self interest people push for war. What war are they talking about? War is hideous. In fact we may never know what may hit us, what is now becoming an imminent danger all over the world. It is the threat of WW3. Observe what is happening closely and chills you to the bone. In fact when it happens, a friend told me it may be for the good of all, for the people to change, before they kill each other endlessly for the sake of religion and selfishness, love for materialism.
In this case, war may be inevitable, not only in our backyard but it is a wish we brought upon our collective consciousness. Choose the state of war in a very beautiful world, why not want to give peace a chance and for the other global risks maybe we may skip at least one dreadful destruction. It is your will or the end of age is really near. Take care.
I didn’t realize this is an old article but it just the same, relevant to discuss for the issue; elements and persons at the heart of the issue are still around trying to make chaos for the country. and years later still being the problem offering not the solutions.but ALL OUT WAR.
Dazed_32 says
It’s easy to say “Let’s Go To War” when you are sitting comfortably on a couch somewhere in your equally comfy house in Luzon and Visayas.
reynz says
so wag the dog ang style in Estrada?
raissa says
Yes. I didn’t want to say that. Thank you for saying it. :)
Karl says
oo nga tama Wag the Dog ginawa ni Erap
Why does the dog wag its tail?
Because the dog is smarter than the tail.
If the tail were smarter, it would wag the dog.
Bhoy Moro says
As a Moro, war is the answer. Lets declare war. 20-yrs of on-and-off negotiation is enough to give peace a chance. Its time for war for “peace” of our grand children.
raissa says
But your 20 years off and on war has not also gained you independence.
dats cal moro says
liberation movement shaped the lives of the bangsamoro people free from colonization of imperial manila.
ROMAN RAMA GUERRERO says
To the question which has been bothering you about the Basilan massacre, let me inject the possibility that “partisan political agenda” maybe at work in the incident. This comprise of a move to expose the weaknesses of the PNoy presidency further so as to buttress if not strengthen the idea that he is incompetent and do not deserve the Presidency. Such shall be justification for VP Binay’s succession of the 4year remainder of PNoy’s term by June 30, 2012. It is possible that Binay fans in the military are now at work in creating situations that would highlight the competence of the VP whom Mon Tulfo says is “atat na atat na maging Presidente”.
The EQualizer Post says
Mindanao:War is never the answer!
Evangeline Eriksson says
I like that. Avoid wars!
Akala mo lang nanalo ka sa gera, iyang mga Muslim hindi ýan tumatanggap ng defeat. babalik at babalik at maghihiganti sila ng mas malaki. Hindi sila basta mga Pilipinong Muslim lamang. Nabasa ba ninyo ang isang professor ng UP na tumawag noon kay Khaddafi at tulungan daw sila ni Khadaffi? Pwes tinulungan sila ni Khaddafi.
alfonso h. hiponia says
Those are all quantifiable costs. What about the cost to prestige as a country, her sovereignty, territorial intergreity, or what not, etc.? Haven’t the government lost so much in many terms other than loss of lives, money, before the eyes of the world? Are we to disregard that much cost, especially at this time that we seem to be flexing muscles to scare off the Chinese from the Spratleys? What does it cost to ignore the challenge, if not an insult, pride only?