Two points on the ambush slaying of 19 soldiers in Al-Barka in Basilan. First, the attack proves that the Central leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has failed in managing its forces in that area. This is a clear example of what would happen if the MILF and the GRP conclude a peace deal. Chances are, some or even most of the ground troops would not honor such a commitment.
Second point, it is most believable that this is an attack prompted by the military. Most of those who went in that killing zone, were special forces amphibian troops. Meaning, they had a deployment mission. This could have been communicated with the MILF commander in that area. The military should have been smarter now than before. Four years ago, a similar attack happened.
Anyway, what is certain is that Basilan, and the rest of the island groups of Tawi-Tawi and Jolo are becoming more and more dangerous, because people have now armed themselves. Warlords, crime groups, and rebels have taken refuge in that area. There is no chance for government to exert itself in an area such as Basilan and the rest of the island groups.
Imagine the prospect of appointing someone who has a death warrant from groups in Basilan and Jolo at the helm of the ARMM. That would enrage warlord groups there, and that would also justify further militation and militarization of the area. Don't tell me that ARMM troops would attack Basilan to pacify these incalcitrant elements?
An attack against rebels and extreme elements in Basilan led by someone who has a well publicized feud with the major armed group in the area would just be interpreted as a political rather than a peace and order solution.
For example, we all know that Mujiv Hataman has a long-standing feud with the Akbar warlord clan in Basilan. The center of attention right now is that province where Mujiv once served as Congressman.
If a war would erupt in the area, Hataman has no choice but to deploy troops in Basilan. Even if the reason is laudable, meaning, deployment is made to quelch militants, this would just be misinterpreted as a purely political move meant to give power to Hataman to neutralize his political enemies.
This early, peoples from Basilan and Tawi-Tawi are quite anxious of the prospect of Hataman becoming ARMM OIC governor. Many see this as an attempt by government to create its own warlord in the area. There is relative peace there because Hataman has been stripped of his power. Appointing him as Governor is sure to be interpreted as giving Hataman another stab at power.
With power, Hataman's moves would only be interpreted by his enemies as giving him an opportunity at consolidating his power for another chance at dominating politics in Basilan.
Hataman's appointment would further worsen the peace and order situation at the ARMM. If the area becomes extremely violent, how then can government realise what DILG secretary Jesse Robredo vows to do--that is, implement serious reforms in Mindanao? There will only be an endless stream of violence.
Hataman is a close ally of the Ampatuans. Reports bared that those who were allied with the Ampatuans before are now the loudest voice in the ARMM endorsing his appointment as OIC of ARMM.
ReplyDeleteHataman was reportedly lobbying for the position even paid Political Adviser Llamas more than ten million (Php 10M) from the coffers of the ANAK MINDANAO (AMIN) partylist where Hataman was the lead representative in Congress.
Party members filed a case against him. His alliance with President NOy will destroy the reform slogan for Hataman is at odds with many political groups.
What reform will Hataman bring to the ARMM? A series of criminality? PNOY should re-think of his choice.