War to break out in Basilan ahead of Hataman appointment as ARMM OIC Governor

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.

President Aquino should appoint a non-Politician as ARMM OIC Governor

In the field of diplomacy, body language is the most important thing. If you know how to read another's body language, you'll be able to act accordingly.


Why do I say that body language is important? Well...


Malacanang, thru Secretary Jesse Robredo says that much needed reforms would now be implemented in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao or ARMM once President Benigno Aquino exercises his appointing power and designate Officers-in-Charge before October ends.


The Supreme Court just voted 8-7 agreeing with the Executive that the President and Congress have the powers to postpone the ARMM elections and designate OICs to manage the ARMM for two years.


Robredo says the government intends to implement serious reforms at the ARMM to be able to prove to the world that autonomy is still the best solution to solve the Bangsamoro Question. 


Right now, government and even peace advocates offer no alternative solution to calls for independence. A group of pro-independence advocates already formed their own group, the Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters Movement (BFFM). This formation throws back years worth of negotiations between government and the MILF, once the biggest and the most formidable foe of government in achieving lasting peace in the region.


Now, government has finally been given the power to prove that ARMM still works. The question is---how serious really is government in this?


Look at the list of possible appointees for the posts of OIC Governor and Vice Governors and you'll notice that majority of these candidates are or were involved in one way or another in traditional polities.


Mujiv Hataman, a good friend of mine, was once elected Congressman of Basilan. He is a strong ally of the President. However, he has a long standing feud with the ruling Akbar clan. Sources say he is the strongest candidate for governor.


If Hataman is elected governor, it just proves that government is not really interested in reforms, it is just interested in securing the entire region for the eventual victory of the ruling political administration party come 2013. Hataman is a strong ally of the Liberals and of President Noynoy Aquino. 


Think---why would you appoint Hataman when he has a standing warrant of arrest for alleging masterminding the killing of Congressman Akbar? Surely, the Akbars would militate once Hataman assumes power,  even bigger than what he has before.


Government should appoint a non-politician, and reading the names in the list, I dare say that only former MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu, deserves to be the OIC Governor.


First, he does not have any pending or standing criminal case against him, and second, he is a non-politician. If government really wants reforms in the ARMM, Kabalu is the best candidate for the post.