Philippine Government in perpetual hostage: Are we so weak a State?

Is the State so weak, that we have to always give money to the rebels to maintain peace and order? Are we saying that this Government is always in a state of perpetual hostage by its enemies? That mere talk and diplomacy are two useless terms meant to justify the use of public funds without being accounted for by government?


Malacanang is in a quandary on how to explain to the public the thing they did. Is this a practice already when it comes to revolutionary groups, that the State is always being coerced by these enemies of the State, and the best way is to pander to their wiles and caprices?


During the time of the late president Ramon Magsaysay, there was no report of the State giving monies to the troops of Luis Taruc. Magsaysay, however, encouraged them to consider land. Some of those who fought the wars, asked to be relocated in Mindanao, to start life anew.


Ferdinand Marcos did not move an inch nor surrendered any inch of the Republic's territory when he was at the helm of power. There were concessions made during the 1979 Tripoli Agreement, but these concessions neither violated any existing laws nor the Constitution. Everything was made within the rules of Diplomacy. 


You can only compromise with an enemy if you are in a vulnerable state, but even if you're weakened, there is still a small semblance of strength in you. 


Don't tell me that this government does not trust its military and police that much that it decides or elects to just give money to rebels just so that peace be maintained? 


Just like before, the Aquino administration blamed the previous dispensation for entering into an agreement with the Moro rebels and giving in to the request of 5 million pesos.


Peace negotiators should have "re-negotiated" this and pointed out that this giving of "donations" is violative of the law. Atty. Marvic Leonen is one of our brilliant lawyers and yet, this thing passed him? Why was there no respect of the law by the very ones who are mandated by law to implement it?


Don't blame Arroyo for this--blame the Aquino administration's peace advisers who are ready to compromise everything, even the kitchen sink, just to pander to the rebel's demands.


Heads should roll for compromising the very integrity and security of this Republic.