We commend Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan for being a voice of reason in these times of chaos and an impending escalation of the war in Mindanao. The good senator said government should form a new set of negotiators, and if necessary, offer a public apology to the MILF leadership.
“If the government has to publicly apologize to the MILF leadership for this terrible mistake as a means to restore confidence in the process, then so be it,” Pangilinan was quoted at the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
He said the government should offer an apology not only for the “flawed process” of arriving at the aborted agreement, but also for the “totally outrageous and unacceptable provisions” of the MOA.
Pangilinan also criticized the unclear stand of government on what to do with the MOA. “It makes us wonder if there is anyone in charge,” he said.
These statements from the good senator are truly admirable. Unlike the war-mongering and emotions-igniting statements from Senators Mar Roxas and Cheez Escudero, Kiko presents a rational means of resolving this issue. I hope that others in the Senate follow suit.
Why do Mar Roxas want to derail peace in Mindanao? Well, for obvious reasons. Many wealthy Ilonggos own huge tracts of land in Mindanao. He's just protecting them, and quite possibly others who support him. I don't blame him except that his inflammatory statements on the Mindanao conflict is unbefitting a legislator of his stature. It's okey to be "presidential", but this early, Roxas showed immaturity on the kind of decision-making a president should do. If Roxas makes it as president, I'm sure that he'll wage a terrible war in Mindanao without a second spent.
We don't want a president who promotes war in pursuit of wealthy interests.
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