OVERUSED

Today’s news headlines is about the military capturing more MILF camps and closing in on the rogue MILF commanders. However, it is dismaying to see press releases about displacement of men, women and children. Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC) is a group that concerns on the plight of the evacuees that were affected by the war.

To these organization or the likes of it, I say: SHOVE IT UP YOUR ASS!

Why when rebels are killing innocent civilians, these organizations will not report about evacuees and the negative side of evacuation. But when the military would start pounding rebel positions and is actually winning against the criminals these so called “concerned” organizations would come out and appeal for both sides to talk peace by emphasizing the difficulties of evacuation. How about those killed in Kolambugan, and those whose homes are destroyed? Will you just dismissed them as simple statistics and abandon the injustice inflicted on them. What do they want to happen is to abandon the pursuit operations and just forget the murder Commander Bravo and Umbra Kato committed to civilians in Lanao del Norte. There is a peace talks ongoing but the barbaric MILF cannot stop their tastes for blood that they always press the trigger and kill civilians indiscriminately.

Instead of asking both sides to talk peace, it would be better for these organizations to help mobilize so that the assistance of the displaced in this very necessary war would be managed and be facilitated to the evacuees. For what is talking about peace when the other would side (the MILF) readily use violence as an instrument for pressure to achieve their demands.

To refresh the minds of these spoilers, here is how the victims recall of the massacre by forces of Commander Bravo in Lanao del Norte.

Randel Sobrado, 17

The rebels were as young as me. T he young rebels kicked the door open and ordered Sobrado and the rest of his family: “Get out or be burned alive inside.” After the family went outside, the rebels returned to the house and continued firing.”

Rogelyn

I believe my husband was cradling her in his arms when they were shot. He was hit in the chest, while Love-love was hit in the head.”

William Sechico, 14

“I got hit because I failed to duck on time,” he said. “I knew I was hit because my arm suddenly felt numb. As to my father, I don’t really know what happened. I think he was stabbed because others who saw him said his bowels spilled out.I could no longer understand what I was feeling then.”

For what the MILF rebels did, Sechico said he was angry. But he looked resigned to the fact that he could do nothing about it.

“I’ll just leave it to the military,” he said

Another heart wrenching account is that of Ester Gansan Gentiles of Lapayan, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

That fateful day in Kauswagan, Gentiles said she was roused by gunshots at 5 a.m.

Since the shots did not seem to come from a high powered firearm, she went back to sleep, adding that if those were by the M.I. (locals call the MILF simply “MI”) as text messages had warned, she believed civilians would be spared. MILF rebels in the past, Gentiles said, trained their guns at soldiers by the town bridge but left civilians alone.

An hour later, the same day, Gentiles was shocked to see burning houses along the highway. Still, she was hopeful the military would send a rescue team. When another hour passed with no rescue team in sight, she immediately gathered her three grandchildren, ages 1 to 3 years old, grabbed a bag of feeding bottles and left for the beach as other residents began boarding pump boats bound for Iligan because the national highway was already controlled by the rebels.

For P100 per person or P400 to fuel a pump boat, fleeing residents left for Iligan City while evacuees in Kolambugan town turned towards Ozamiz City.

Women and children were allowed to board first but some men insisted on joining them resulting in the overloading of one boat that capsized.

During the flight of Kauswagan residents, many children were separated from their parents. Gentiles said she noticed two kids without any adult companions who quietly sat on the boat with the rest of the evacuees.

Who was in charge? Why the delays in the rescue? How serious is government in ending this insurgency?

Of course, rights and peace organizations would chose to dismiss this because it will not serve their hidden agenda. Most of them are just masquerading as peace organization but are actually either fronts of the New People’s Army and the barbaric MILF.

 

A SCENARIO EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH OUT

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is starting to twist the news today to favor their cause. In GMA website, the MILF said that AFP using ‘execessive force’ in pursuit operations.

“indiscriminate cleansing operations” included engaging Task Force Ittihad (Unity) of the MILF Central Committee during the military’s attack on the 105th Base Command of Commander Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato in several villages in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao. Task Force Ittihad was designated by the Central Committee to 10 Maguindanao towns to “promote unity” among MILF members, local government units, government armed forces, and civilians in the areas, said the MILF.

The rebel group claimed the task force was included the military’s 5:50 a.m. attacks on Wednesday at Kuloy, Tapikan 1, and Tapikan 2 villages. “The attack on Ittihad is tantamount to a direct attack on the MILF highest leadership, GRP – MILF peace process and (the) ceasefire (agreement),” the MILF said. The group said the assault “dispersed civilians, destroyed properties and livelihood, and pulverized downtrodden Muslim communities,” adding that some who fled their homes are now staying in makeshifts under trees and along roads.

The barbaric and inhuman attacks perpetrated by the MILF in Lanao provinces was a big propaganda nightmare for the MILF. Public opinion was turned against them. Even how they justified their attacks as an “emotional outburst” over the stalled signing of MOA on ancestral domain, nothing can justify the killing of innocent civilians.

Suddenly the MILF is losing credibility except for their diehard supporters who support barbaric acts just to attain their selfish goals. Even Moro people were ashamed at the actions of the MILF. They say its un Islamic and inhuman. TV footages shown on TV undeniably showed the merciless and inhuman treatment of the MILF against Christians in the area.

Now the MILF wants to counter these by peddling lies such as destruction of “downtrodden Muslim communities.” But nobody will believe it. Commander Bravo denied he was responsible for the attacks in Lanao. But no sooner, 31 of his men belied his statements by telling all the orders of Commander Bravo to kill men, women, old people and children.

My fear is that the MILF, desperate to get media mileage and sympathy for the Moros who are ashamed of what they did would do the horrible. That ,the MILF will orchestrate a massacre of its own people and blamed it to the military and the Christians to step up the hatred a little higher. That is possible. The barbarity of the MILF has no limits. Its all out now and the once unthinkable will be possible.

Watch out for this.

 

GOING IN CIRCLES

MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad said the fighting in Mindanao could escalate into an all out war if both the military and the MILF will not stand down. He said the bounty put up on the heads of the MILF commanders only complicate the situation.

This is an overused phrase. They attack, they destroy, they leave and then say the bounties are unjustified. Also, everytime clashes occur, the Milf would always say that their troops were just defending their positions from intrusions of the military. However, the incidents in Lanao provinces proved once and for all if this statements were true or not. It is clear in that incidents who are the agressors and who are in the defensive positions. The MILF is lost for words how to justify the actions of their troops. Some say it was not sanctioned, then it say that it has to conduct further investigations. The conduct of the investigations is not so much to find the truth but rather to find alibis and justification for the barbaric atrocities committed by the MILF which styles itself as a disciplined and principled insurgent group.

There are suggestions to employ some Mindanao local officials to be included in the government peace panel. But this seems to be frowned upon by the MILF perhaps because these local leaders know better. The MILF prefer people from Manila to negotiate in behalf of the people of Mindanao because it knew that the former are ignorant of the realities on the ground and those will be able to commit agreements that is contrary to the interest of the people actually based in Mindanao. If the MILF is really sincere in entering a peace agreement then it should be open to the idea of having Mindanao leaders as negotiators.

Also, there must be a commitment from both sides where the talks are heading. If the MILF wants independence it should say so. That way, the government can relay its response clearly that the same is not possible and thus must settle for alternatives other than involving the dismemberment of the country. This should how it is done unlike the present situation where both the MILF and the government are treating the talks like a chess game, where one tries to outwit and entrap the other. Worse, the negotiations is shrouded in secrecy. The mortal sin of peace negotiations.

Lastly, the presence of extremists in the MILF who are more oriented to Al Qaeda and jemaah islamiyah. For sure, these factions could complicate the situations and would pose another problem should an agreement will be entered short of an independent fundamentalist Islamic state in Mindanao.

An all out war is an understatement. What I see is genocide, including rape, destruction and mayhem and we all know who will be at the receiving end. Just look at what happened in Kolambugan. And for sure not the Bangsamoro.

 

PUSONG MAMON

Brig. Gen Mark Antonio Supnet walked out of the meeting with Iligan city officials. His unit was accused of being too slow in responding to the raids by the MILF in towns of Lanao del Norte. He said he walked out because he did not want his men to see him in tears.

“I was expecting na sasabihin niyo sa amin thank you 104th Brigade for protecting Iligan City. I was not expecting na sasabihan niyo ang military ay hindi nag pro-protect (I was expecting that you’ll say to us ‘thank you 104th Brigade for protecting Iligan City’. I was not expecting that you’ll say that the military is not protecting you).”

In tears? No wonder the military suffered heavy losses because their General is a cry baby. Anyway its not proper to walk out of meeting. Iligan officials are just complaining. As taxpayers they have every right to complain. The general should be reminded that there is civilian supremacy over the military. They are his bosses. Gen. Supnet should not have walked out because of that comment alone. The civil officials only expressed their frustrations on the conduct of military response.

Reports indicated that the army arrived at the affected areas 8 hours from the the time the rebels struck. In fact the Mayor of Kolambugan was frantic in asking for reinforcements because there was really few military personnel who are able to respond on time. If aint slow, I dont now what it is. For the General to understand the reaction of Iliganons, he should put himself on the situation of the affected civilians. When the military is called to protect Gloria Arroyo from rallyists, the military is quick to respond, usually deployed a day ahead of the demonstrations and in full battle gear! However when it is called upon to protect its citizens, it rather come to late like policemen in a fernando poe jr. movie, who come when everything was settled. Worse, when asked to explain or to account of their deficiencies, they will walk out and cry.

No wonder, the MILF is winning battles. We have late coming and onion skinned military officers. If you cant handle criticism from unarmed civilians, how much more if faced with terrorists determined to fight at all cost?

 

“THEY JUST WANT THEIR SENTIMENTS TO BE HEARD.”

One of the hostages of the MILF’s terroristic raids in Lanao provinces said that the rebels were just out to express their sentiments.

In “expressing their sentiments” the following occured:

*40 civilians killed within two days in the two Lanao provinces, as suspected MILF guerrillas were also blamed for the ambush on a military convoy Sunday morning in Lumundo, Lanao del Sur. Seven persons were killed in that ambush – four Army soldiers and three paramilitary elements – and 12 others were injured. Overall, 18 civilians were found dead in Kauswagan, 11 in nearby Kolambugan and four in Maigo, all in Lanao del Norte.

Also on Monday, two persons were killed in an MILF attack in Maasim, Sarangani.

*Several evacuees returned to their homes only to find a number of them ransacked or burned. At least 20 houses in Kauswagan were burned.In Kolambugan town, police found the corpses of Francisco Socema and his three-year-old daughter, Love-love.

* “Why was the child killed when she had nothing to do with the conflict?” a relative screamed upon seeing Love-love’s body carried down toward the highway. Minutes after the discovery of the bodies, Love-love’s relatives received more bad news: Her younger sister, who was born two weeks ago, died in the evacuation rush to Ozamiz on Monday morning. Her mother is confined at a hospital for profuse bleeding.

*Sixteen houses, a police car and three buildings of Kolambugan Central Elementary School housing six classrooms were burned.

*Monday’s assault sent 7,382 town residents to evacuate across Panguil Bay to the coastal villages of Ozamiz City and 979 residents to nearby Clarin town. They are housed in 15 evacuation centers mostly barangay halls and public elementary schools.

*Pantar village residents whose neighborhood saw 15 houses burned by the rebels as they descended from the hills toward the town center at around 4 a.m. on Monday.

*The rebels also turned their ire on farm animals while withdrawing from Kolambugan.

*Pantar residents discovered three hogs and a horse whose bodies were riddled with bullets.

 

UPDATED: MILF SCORED BIG MILITARY VICTORY, 10 CIVILIANS KILLED, HOUSES BURNED, USE HUMAN SHIELDS

In what could be the biggest military “victory” of the MILF, scores of civilians were killed early this morning after MILF forces, swoop down on defenseless civilians in the towns of Kolambugan and Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte. As early a 4 am, MILF elements of Kumander Bravo and Pangalian strafed an unsuspecting Bachelor Bus Liner in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte killing two civilians. At the same time, the MILF ambushed motorcycle riding members of the AFP in Kauswagan killing PO1 Dexter Salvacion. A certain Ricky Salicar was also kille by a strafing incident in the same place. By 5:30 am today, a farming village was raided in Barangay Taco, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte by the MILF killing seven farmers and injuring three others.

On the other hand, the poblacion of Kolambugan was temporarily occupied by the MILF, attacked the municipal police station which resulted in the burning of PNP patrol vehicle.

Before withdrawing, the MILF took at least 30 civilian hostages although as of the latest count the number was reduced to ten.

In nearby Iligan city, two bombs exploded Sunday in a commercial district injuring four civilians. Iligan City was bombed because it was opposing the inclusion of its 8 barangays into the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, even without consultation and information among the city officials and the affected residents. For vocally opposing the MOA on ancestral domain, Iligan City was punished by the MILF with these bombings.

The Mayor of Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, Mayor Bertrandt Lumaque was wondering why the MILF was attacking civilians instead of soldiers?

“Ang ano ko lang, bakit ginagawa nila ito. Bakit sibilyan ang inatake nila at hindi military.”

Well, for some time now, the MILF is lusting to eliminate any other ethnic group residing in Mindanao. They are dreaming of ethnic cleansing ala Balkan style.

For the MILF, it may have been gloating now that it was successful in their treacherous style operations. People would have understand if what the MILF is targetting are legitimate military targets. But when civilians are killed, one would step back and think, “wait a minute, this is no longer right.” If the MILF think that this will rattle the people of Mindanao into accepting their terms, they are mistaken. The ploy of the MILF will only backfire and the resistance among the populace in areas proposed to be included in the BJE will only intensify. The actuations of the MILF will become the best argument why the MOA should be scrapped and why the BJE should be frowned upon. With what the MILF is doing, there is no reason to talk peace. The MILF has shown its insincerity in the talks and its propensity to use violence and worse hurt non combatants. Nothing will be lost if the government will stop talking with the MILF for after all, the MILF has no moral ascendancy to represent the Moro aspirations.

The Moro aspiration of a homeland should not be hijack with a terroristic group like the MILF.

I remember months ago that someone called for the sparing of civilians in the hostilities. Guess how the MILF responded?

“Well, as long as there is no peace accord entered into, civilians will become collateral damage.”

This is cheap excuse to target civilians in an Kosovo style ethnic cleansing.

On the other hand, our inutile national leadership still insists on talking peace in Mindanao with these terrorists cum legitimate liberation movements. When will they wake up from being tulog sa pansitan?

 

ILIGAN DADS DECLARE ESPERON, GARCIA ET. AL “PERSONA NON GRATA”

from uniffors.com

In its regular session Monday afternoon this week, the Sangguniang Panlungsod in a resolution declared Hermogenes Esperon, Rodolfo Garcia and all the members of the GRP Panel involved in the peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Professor Rudy Rodil however was not included as he was not one of the supposed signatories. The resolution authored by city councilor Voltair Rovira was approved unanimously.

Another resolution, authored by councilor Moises Dalisay, was also whereby the city will file criminal charges of treason and/or conspiracy to commit treason and/or conspiracy to commit treason against the said personality.

In explaining the logic of the said action, Dalisay said that the act of the inclusion of 8 barangays in the city to be under the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity is unconstitutional and in violation of the rights of the people as it was done without consultation with the people and even the LGU unit whih these barangays were under supervision were kept in the dark. Dalisay then expressed his gladness over the Supreme Court issuance of a TRO on the matter but even then he said “we should not let our guards down as this is only the beginning of a fight for freedom and liberty.”

Most of the barangay chairpersons were also there and a few also spoke at the said rally. Basher Comonog of Panoroganan said he strongly objects to inclusion to the BJE. He cited his experience when he was still living in Lanao del Sur and was also a barangay captain there saying no benefits came to them as the funds just disappeared and they could not even ask questions.

Barangay chairman Dimapingon Comonog of Rogongon was also quoted as saying that two days before the scheduled signing of the MOA in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, they assembled at their gym discussing the matter and they were all very scared and apprehensive.”

(with reports from Nora Sorno of Iligan City, Mindanao Gold Star Daily)

 

SIDE COMMENTS

Mayor Constantino Jaraula of Cagayan de oro City

“Primarily, there was really no proper and official consultations with the LGUs that would be affected by the agreement. Wala sila’y paki kung unsay socio, economic and political consequences sa ilang mga negotiations.”

Mayor Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga City

“Do not build a Berlin Wall among the people of Mindanao,”

North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol,

“We won the battle. But because this is just a TRO, therefore, our victory is just temporary.”

Rea Marie Jubelag, an officer of the University of Southern Mindanao Student Government,

“The inclusion of North Cotabato in the expanded Armm (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) is not the answer to the conflict here. In fact, it will only worsen the problem.”

Pigcawayan councilor Rolando Dillera, president of the Councilors League in North Cotabato

“This is not a fight between the Muslims and the Christians. But we, Christians, are just trying to defend what is right and due us. We can’t allow the government to ink an agreement, which will later cause animosities between the Muslims and the Christians,”

Representative Abdullah Dimaporo (2nd District, Lanao del Norte)

“We trust the Philippine negotiators and the President who will not do harm to us. In case we do not like the agreement, we can oppose it in congress. Definitely we can win in the plebiscite, whether we want ‘No’ or ‘Yes.’ There is therefore no reason for any worry on the MOA.”

Now is not the time for war. Our economy is suffering from the oil crisis, “We all saw what happened during the all-out-war of President Joseph Estrada against the MILF. The MILF were no match to our AFP, but the great damage were suffered by evacuating the poor families, and large sum of public funds used by the AFP which could have been utilized for schools and other much needed projects.”

“Let us give peace a chance. Let us see the outcome of the peace agreement,”

 

ILIGANONS VOICED CONCERN OVER THE INCLUSION OF ILIGAN CITY IN PROPOSED BJE

“This is our land.

Nobody has the power to give this to anyone! - muragdoctor“

Nora Sorino

City officials here are panicking over the information that 8 city barangays here are allegedly included in the envisioned Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE). City Councilor Ariel Anghay said Thursday the barangays included are Rogongon, Digkilaan, Dulag, Hindang, Kalilangan, Lanipao, Mainit and Panuroganan.

In view of this, the Sangguniang Panglungsod will hold a Special Session on the matter as its main agenda because they are concerned and worried.

Congressman Varf Belmonte echoed his worry and concern even as he said that a Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain between the GRP-MILF will be signed on August 5 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Belmonte said that last Wednesday, there was a meeting in Manila among congressmen and one of the matters taken up was the issue of ancestral domain which is being claimed by the MILF. Belmonte then asked whether the City of Iligan was included and he was supposedly told that Iligan is not included.

“There is an element of deceit here. These 8 barangays constitute 80 percent of the city land area, what will remain of Iligan?

He said he is going to join the city council in its special session.

Earlier, Mayor Lawrence Cruz also voiced his worry and concerns over the matter. Over the weekend irate city residents kept calling local radio stations voicing their concerns over the said development. One caller called it “creeping invasion” of these forces and that there was a clear and present danger in this part of Mindanao.

muragdoctor, an Iliganon I believe joins the loud protests over what is seen as a sold out of Christian lands in Mindanao in favor of the rebels.

SOLD!
August 2, 2008

We have been sold to rebels!

Secretly, the President brokered a deal with Muslim rebels and has granted them land. The deals were so secret that I’ve just heard that 3 barangays in my city, and about 3 municipalities in my province have been included in the deal. Yet those are only small cuts of the cake that she has stuffed into the mouths of murderers and kidnappers. I heard even Palawan is included in the deal. Citing grand words such as these lands were ancestral Muslim domains, she has in effect surrendered the government’s sovereignty on them. Heck! If she truly believes those words she must give up even Manila to the rebels, considering Manila was ruled by Muslim rajahs during the Spanish colonization.

Our President is desperate. She wants to stay in power, and in order to do so she is courting Muslim favor since the Christian population have been giving her negative approval ratings. Now I wonder how could anyone from her loyalist camp have the guts to stay with her. She is accused of allowing Chinese military ships to spy on Philippine waters. And to add to her sins to the country, she has bowed down to rebel demands.

On another note, I think it’s fishy that Malaysia seems to be too helpful with brokering peace between the Philippine government and the rebels. It is also interesting to note that the only gains that Malaysia-brokered deals have made is the sustenance of the insurgence. Perhaps Malaysia is afraid that really peace would bring a unified Philippine government that would lay claim to the disputed Sabah territory, a region that Malaysia claims as its own.

In the meantime, my city would not act like sheep sold to the slaughter. There would be a rally come Monday as we voice out our protest against this betrayal. Let all those who still have a little love left for this country ring their voices. This is our land. Nobody has the power to give this to anyone!

 

REDISTRICTING MANIA

Junkshop in Butuan City

2010 elections is just more than 2 years away, but certain people are now seem to chart their political future which may be adverse to the interest of taxpayers. The frenzy peaked when the National Statistics Office conducted its census last year. There’s a buzz in redistricting everywhere.

Iligan and Lanao del Norte. Rep. Vicente Belmonte filed HB 3164 which aims to separate Iligan City district from the 1^st District of Lanao del Norte. On the other hand, Rep. Bobby Dimaporo filed HB 2824 which will reapportioned Lanao del Norte into two districts. At present, the 1^st District of Lanao del Norte is composed of some municipalities including Iligan City. Belmonte however admitted that he refrained from filing a bill creating another district for Lanao del Norte because it will not meet the requirement of 250 thousand voters since Iligan City will separate from the said district.

Davao City. Davao City Councilor Peter Lavina said Davao City has a population of 1.36 million which qualified the city to have at least five congressional districts. The city has currently three congressional districts. Lavina said Congress should immediately pass an enabling law so that the new districts could be in place for the 2010 elections (dagan dayun sehal!). He said this constitutional provision should be implemented to follow the dictum “no taxation without representation.” He said reapportionment is a better means to create new districts rather by case to case basis law based on individual requests of provinces and cities.

Surigao City and Surigao del Norte. There is much noise about the proposal to create another congressional district out of the 2^nd district of Surigao del Norte. The proposed district will comprise Surigao City and the municipalities of Sison, San Francisco and Malimono which is part of the 2^nd District of Surigao del Norte. The idea came after Surigao City Mayor Pons Casurra intimated that Surigao City should be allotted one congressional seat. However, with this proposal, it seems that the population requirement will not be met by Surigao City alone that it has to include the 3 municipalities so as to create another district. There might be negotiations now with Rep. Jun Romarate for this proposal. This is appealing to both parties. For any congressional aspirant, it will open a golden opportunity to become a member of Congress. For Jun Romarate, his hold on the 2^nd district will be much more secure as his potential rivals come from Surigao City. With only 8 municipalities to concentrate and sans Surigao City, Romarate can now carve a bailiwick and a political dynasty of his own.

Cotabato City. Mayor Muslemen Sema said its high time for Cotobato City to have a separate representation in order to give more support to Cotabato for improvement. This after the latest census showed that Cotabato City has a population of 259,153, just a little over 250,000 limit for a certain locality to be entitled to at least one Congressman. But perhaps the best argument was expressed by Congressman Digs Dilangalen in opposing the creation of another Congressional seat in Cotabato City. According to him, he does not believe that Cotabato City will improve when there is a separate representation.

Applying it generally, more representation doesn’t mean better representation. In most cases, it will only benefit a few who have vested interest who will assume another position of power and will prejudice the taxpayers whose money will be spend just to support another batch of patronage politicians.