A Day In The Life Of RJ

I find it inexplicable why the BJE MOA on AD is being considered at odds with our constitution, hence this TRO and oral arguments, when a member of the MILF peace panel, MOHD. MUSIB M. BUAT in his article “A new formula in resolving the Mindanao conflict—Mohd. Musib M. Buat” at the abs-cbnNEWS.com website, said:

“But subsequently in February 2008, information was received by the MILF Peace Panel through the Malaysian facilitator that the GRP had decided to have the draft MOA-AD first reviewed by a panel of legal experts to ascertain whether or not the draft agreement would meet a constitutional test if challenged before the High Court. It took the government more that 100 days to conduct the “due diligence review” of the draft MOA-AD.”  (more…)

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I need not elaborate. I’m sure any of you reading this have heard the news — endless and hopeless as it may seem. Fighting continues in Mindanao. Ambush here. Strafing there. Evacuations here and there. Oral arguments re: unconstitutionality of BJE MOA (which, by the way, has been extended Firday once more, August 29) happened today. Sol. Gen. Devanadera submitted a petition for the SC citing GRP’s decision not to sign the MOA, thereby rendering the petition filed against it “moot and academic”. Torion, the petitioner’s counsel, on the other hand insists on a court decision saying regardless of the BJE MOA being signed or not, SC’s ruling is important so as to create a “guideline” for the GRP on it’s expected “renegotiation” or “furthering of negotiations” and subsequently assure compliance to the constitution.

There are certain points in the oral arguments I’d like to comment on, as follows:

(more…)

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MLQ3’s recent post “Berserkers and a breather” in Inquirer.net’s “CURRENT” is an enlightening article. Unlike most widely-read posts spawned by bloggers mainly from Manila and other parts of Luzon — which tend to rely heavily on news reports — therefore, unintentionally appearing or turning-out one-sided and half-baked, this one gives us a more comprehensive coverage — a bird’s eye view of the recent events in Mindanao — coming from the people who experience the news first-hand. The research and insight that come with articles of this sort is a compelling read, and I consider myself privileged to have read this.

As Real As It Gets

Stories blogged from Iligan and other parts of Mindanao are as real as can be. Sentiments expressed from all those blogs paint a picture so vivid that anyone who reads it can hardly ignore. In essence, it tells us how devastatingly and horrifyingly real this war is — which, many of us who blog from a distance can only sympathize with but never actually “feel”. Collectively, everyone wants this war to end so they can go on with their lives — plain and simple. They approach the issue from different perspectives but eventually arrive at the same sentiment and wish — if you may, which is peace.

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Two blogs quoted in the above article struck me:  (more…)

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As the situation in Mindanao remains fluid, the people’s future remain uncertain.  The road to peace is now littered with grenade. Who would now dare tread that path? To say that it is difficult to talk peace at a time like this is an understatement. I need not reiterate the violence that has erupted which has claimed the lives of many people — mostly civilians.

It is this pressing concern that gave rise to a need — a need to be ready and and willing to fight when necessary. The citizenry of Iligan City (claiming their right to protect themselves and their property) have decided to take up arms. And this is supported by no less than their Mayor Lawrence Cruz. He says in an ABSCBNNews.com article, “We don’t want to be helpless like those civilians who were butchered, strafed, torched, and whose properties were looted and ransacked. We don’t want that to happen to us.”

I was never a fan of vigilantism or anything loosely similar to it. Taking up arms by the citizenry is something I only envision as last resort. And I say that not because I’m kill-joy or sissy or absurdly peace-loving but because I think the current situation, in my point of view — however others may see it — still does not warrant such an activity. More than anything, I fear for these people’s safety. While I understand that being the ones directly affected by the menace that is MILF — they are full of conviction to fight for a just cause, I also believe that “letting guns do the talking” doesn’t sound like a good plan at all. Besides, it is the state’s responsibility to secure its people. If the citizenry takes up arms, they overstep someone else’s mandate. And no, I’m not trying to be be objective, I’m trying to be practical. (more…)

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Whoa. What a week! So much has happened since Monday, August 11. And even more if we’d go back a week before that — before that fateful day that the “barely” existent Bangsamoro Juridical Entity MOA on Ancestral Domain (BJE MOA on AD) was TRO‘d by the Supreme Court. Discussions here and there, protests in streets, the Beijing Olympics, fighting in Mindanao, the ARMM elections and now Charter Change (ChaCha) has been our usual dose of news lately. We see, read and talk about it all too often that we can somehow say that we’ve probably heard enough. But you and I both know we haven’t. I hear the music playing. Will anyone dance to it?

Well, what do you expect? The BJE is non-executory by itself. We know that. And we are also fully aware of the need for an amendment in the Constitution if we are to satisfy the promises made in the MOA. And as we continue to question the constitutionality, feasibility, effectivity and practicality of the MOA, we are now faced with a dilemma yet again — to dance the ChaCha in the name of peace or to reject the idea altogether for fear of a PGMA “second life”. Unlike before, PGMA now tweets ChaCha in all things related to the BJE MOA and the peace process in Mindanao. She has expressed her intentions of pushing for ChaCha while brushing-off insinuations that this is all a ploy to “open” the Constitution and toy with it as she pleases.

Many will hate me for this but I think there is some truth to the Palace’s statement that those who oppose Federalism are those who have 2010 ambitions. But can you really blame these guys? These guys are panicky as ever especially since, I bet  as early as now, they are already writing their “return gratitude” list for the sponsors lining up to support their bets and in return get immunity and relative power. This is the nature of Philippine politics. I have yet to find a public official who puts his constituents above his political ambition — and I also doubt ever finding one in the near future. That’s how it is then, that’s how it will be in the future. I am a pretty optimistic person, but when it comes to Philippine politics, my optimism just isn’t enough. So, I’m sorry if I can’t join you in that bandwagon of a “united” Philippines — at least in these sense that many promote. I am more of a practical peace advocate. Unity to me transcends the physical, territorial boundaries.  A people united in aspirations and convictions is more appealing to me. A people although “territorially” apart yet peaceful and living together in an ultimately “central government” — as the BJE MOA puts it, is not so bad an idea. Would you rather see incessant fighting than “negotiate”? (more…)

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The situation in Mindanao seems to worsen by the day if not by the hour. It is clear to us that peace talks have gone completely out of hand, thanks to the bitter MILF renegade group. Just when we are ready to talk peace some self-righteous group whether from the government or from the MILF manages to screw things up and deliberately steal the spotlight. And well, I must say they have done so perfectly. Now, they have our complete attention and have diverted it to “firefighting” the escalating war in Mindanao. What lucky bastards! Now, it’s not just the “technicality” of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity on Ancestral Domain (BJE MOA on AD) that we have to worry about — we now have to manage a fight on the side. Can things get any worse than this? (more…)

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I dreaded writing or commenting about this. I knew a recurrence of hostility was possible in Mindanao even as peace talks are ongoing, but it never occured to me it will be this soon. As I was writing my last post “Winners and Losers“, I was oblivious of the brewing issue of evacuation in the affected towns of North Cotabato, starting with 16,000 and increasing to 80,000 as the last report says.

As it turns out, despite assurances of MILF leaders that they are willing to withdraw troops in affected areas  — which they rather call “repositioning“, they seem to have no “real” control of their troops. It’s either that or they’re just “playing” us all. This very moment that I write this post, there is consistent exchange of gunfire from the MILF and our government troops. The MILF admits to no fault while claiming that they were “repositioning” peacefully when some militiamen fired at them so they had no choice but to protect themselves. If this is true, it only proves how “taking up arms” by civilians is such a pain in the arse for the government! This peace process should be between two parties alone. A third “wheel” spoils everything! Indeed, whoever said “three’s a crowd” is a genius! (more…)

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The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games have officially begun.

I have never seen anything like it. Look at what discipline, perseverance and dedication can do.

One word — amazing.

When you see ceremonies like this, participated upon by the nations of the world, not to mention, well-attended by prominent world leaders — even vocal critics of China and its foreign policies, you can’t help but be optimistic that world peace is indeed achievable. China, amidst protests on the issue of Tibet, accusations of being a “knowing and willing accomplice” in the Bashir regime’s genocide in Darfur due to economic and geopolitical reasons, pollution issues, criticisms on its foreign policy and many more, has showed the world exactly what they are made of. They are made of people — endowed with skill and passion for their culture, their religion and convictions. China is indeed a force to be reckoned with — economically, politically and socially. There is indeed  power in numbers. The sleeping giant has awakened. And the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games has set the stage for the grand announcement. (more…)

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I have read at least two good news today.

First Good News

First is the news that MILF agrees to pull out fighters in North Cotabato. And they agreed on it hours ahead of today’s 10am deadline — which, by the way, tempts me to think that the MILF are not that tough after all. But, well, of course, we know better. If they weren’t that tough, we wouldn’t have this peace process in the first place, right? Or does the MILF appear tougher than they actually are because the government is being too lenient with them? Either way, anything that results to halting of violence and chaos is good news and therefore it behooves us to appreciate and laud both sides. Peace, after all is an effort — and an affort from both parties. So, let’s give them that. (more…)

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