"Tis the Season of Betrayal and a Bloody War threatens MIndanao

No Mindanao-based congressmen attended the House Committee on Justice hearing on the Motion to Intervene by Manolo Quezon, myself and some other bloggers. General Santos Congresswoman Darlene Custodio and Cong. Teofisto Guingona III were a no-show, a day after defending the MOI vigorously before the Committee. Custodio decided to attend the Euro Generals hearing and skip the more important House Committee on Justice. Probably, Cong. Antonino-Custodio thought that she'll probably waste her time anyway since all odds are against Quezon etal. Same as the other Mindanao-based Congressmen.

I condemn the double-standard being shown by these legislators. A day prior to the purported signing of the MOA-AD, not a few legislators registered their howl of protest against Malacanang. Some even went as far as declaring war against the Bangsamoro People. Their absence clearly indicated that most, if not all of their Muslim constituencies favor the MOA-AD. They just don't want to alienate them.

As I wrote here, most if not all Muslims in the Philippines favor the MOA-AD. Firstly, it's the best option available for them and many think that the agreement is a halmark one. Secondly, the prospect of re-negotiations seems remote, given the stand of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on the matter. Lastly, both the GRP and the MILF have taken solid stands already. The GRP wants the Bangsamoro fighters to give up their arms first before they again participate in the negotiations. While the MILF wants nothing short of the terms of reference indicated in the MOA-AD. Something gonna give.

But, this is NOT the point of the intervention. Giving independence or even recognizing a Bangsamoro Islamic state is still the purest intention of those who understand the Bangsamoro struggle.

What the motion to intervene just wants to show is that the President of the GRP committed a grave abuse of discretion in even allowing such a proposal to go past the negotiating table. The GRP President has the duty to maintain territorial integrity which, in the minds of those under her government, she has effectively sold to the other party.

The President of the GRP does not have the right to give or partition the Philippine territory. This is tantamount to treason.

Gloria committed a treasonous act. Though some legal eagles would say that the act was not consummated since both parties failed to sign the agreement. At best, this could fall under frustrated treason, which is still punishable by Philippine laws.

Soldiers and ordinary citizens know that Gloria committed a high crime. Yet, the House Committee on Justice chaired by a Gloria lackey decided otherwise. Cong. Mat Defensor himself and those who voted for the non-inclusion of the MOI clearly betrayed the Republic and should be made accountable for their crimes against the Filipino People.

Now, because of their betrayal, war in Mindanao is expected to worsen in the coming weeks. The government admitted that it already spent 1 billion pesos fighting the Bangsamoro army in Mindanao. Defense secretary Teodoro, a few weeks ago, proposed for additional budget. The AFP was ordered to do an all-out military offensive against the Bangsamoro people in Mindanao.

War hangs in Mindanao, another betrayal by Gloria not only to the Muslims in Mindanao but also in the international community.

Remember that in her speech before the inter-faith forum at the United Nations, Gloria promised to re-negotiate for peace. Gloria reported before the world that her efforts at peace are bearing fruit in war-torn Mindanao. If it is, then, why the beefing up of the AFP?

Truly, it is the season of betrayal. The cost? Millions of futures lost and lives destroyed.