I think it is time for the Philippine Government to quit the peace talks with the MILF and stamp them out of this world for good.

Yesterday, around 50 members of the 1st Marine Brigade who are looking for Father Giancarlo Bossi were fired upon by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. In an exchange that took several hours, fourteen Marines were killed. The MILF claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming that the Marines entered their territory without informing them. They fired shots in self defense, they say. Read this account by the GMA-7 reporter who accompanied the Marines, who witnessed that despicable act by the MILF.

But when it was found out that 10 of the dead Marines were beheaded, the MILF immediately disowned the act, and claims that bandits did the dastardly act.

The incident yesterday has shown us that the MILF is not sincere in the peace talks.

1. Just because the Marines entered their “territory” does not mean they have hostile intent.
2. The MILF claims that they fired in self-defense. What self defense when (a) you know you outnumber the enemy; (b) they haven’t fired any shot before that incident; and (c) there is a ceasefire?
3. If they claim that they own the territory and that bandits did the beheading, how come the bandits were able to enter the said area without being fired upon?

Before this act, I have no stand on the issue of MILF. Now, after watching the GMA-7 footage, my stand is as follows:

The MILF has clearly shown through deception and lies that it is not sincere in the peace talks. They took the opportunity given to them by the Arroyo administration by rearming and regrouping. Remember that Joseph Estrada had embarked on an all-out war against the MILF, where the Armed Forces of the Philippines were able to take back Camp Abu Bakar (MILF’s main base), where MILF top leaders were killed. Estrada was criticized for warmongering, but the MILF was reduced to almost the size of a small bandit group. When Gloria Arroyo assumed power, the government went into peace talks with the MILF. Six years of useless talks, with both sides violating agreements made. Six years, where the MILF was able to gather new members, steal several arms, and establish new territories.

Now, this incident only goes to show not only the insincerity of the MILF, it also shows that the MILF will only negotiate on its own terms.

I believe that it is time to end the peace talks and treat the MILF as what it truly is – an organization of deceitful bandits.

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I take exception to Manuel L. Quezon III’s assertion that:

This is only a hunch, but the foreign blogosphere seems far more interested in Philippine rebels behead 10 soldiers (see grim photos published by the Mindanao Examiner) than Filipino bloggers, particularly when it comes to commentary (simply reprinting entire news stories doesn’t cut it).

It is unfair to Tingog.com and Patsada Karajaw, who blogged about this incident. It is unfair to Filipino bloggers who are either slow in comprehension, or who could only blog about it at the end of the working day, or who could blog about it only when they have money to pay an hour’s rent in an Intenet shop.

To end the opposition blunder (and to prove that they are united), I suggest that both Manuel Villar and Aquilino Pimentel II withdraw from the Senate President race. This action will show good faith from both of them, and will probably satisfy the ambitions of presidentiables among the senators. This will also show that the senators listen to the call of the people.

Find a neutral one to be opposition’s candidate for Senate President, one that is acceptable to all opposition members. One that has no ambitions. One that will not compromise with the administration senators for personal gain.

Aquilino Pimentel II almost fits the bill, but for Villar he is not, since Pimentel-as-Senate-President is being pushed by Panfilo Lacson, another presidential wanna-be, and by Manuel Roxas II and Loren Legarda in the background.

Let’s list down the opposition senators (in alphabetical order):

* Aquino III, Benigno (Noynoy)
* Biazon, Rodolfo
* Cayetano, Alan Peter
* Escudero, Francis
* Estrada, Jose (Jinggoy)
* Lacson, Panfilo
* Legarda, Loren
* Madrigal, Ma. Consuelo (Jamby)
* Pimentel II, Aquilino
* Roxas II, Manuel (Mar)
* Trillanes IV, Antonio
* Villar, Manuel (Manny)

Take out the presidentiables (Lacson, Legarda, Roxas, Villar). Aquino and Biazon will support whoever Roxas supports. Since Roxas purpotedly supports Pimentel, so the two Liberals will vote for Pimentel. Lacson, Legarda, and Madrigal will also vote for Pimentel. Cayetano, Estrada, and Escudero will support Villar. I am not sure about Trillanes. So Villar has to court the administration senators for support, which means a Mongrel Majority is about to arrive.

Anyway, I am surprised that Estrada is supporting Villar, despite the facts that (1) Villar betrayed Estrada by railroading the impeachment; and (2) Villar betrayed the opposition by soliciting support from administration senators. Is Joseph Estrada up to something? Jinggoy Estrada as dark horse, acceptable candidate for the opposition?

To be honest, it is hard to push for a compromise candidate, unless they agree to support a neophyte senator who is opposition and not aligned to anybody. That leaves Trillanes, which is impossible, since the Arroyo administration is hell bent on keeping him in detention. Aquino, Cayetano, and Escudero have cast their lots already. Estrada and Madrigal have cast their lots, too.

My aim in this exercise is to find a candidate that will suit everyone. My problem is that everyone is already committed to either Villar and Pimentel; and to push for Escudero, for example, will only result in division. I am not sure if Trillanes has committed to support Pimentel; even if he is neutral in this case, he is not suitable not because he is not qualified – see above. The best case scenario is one candidate only; everyone sacrificing their ambitions and agenda for unity. But that’s wishful thinking.

Here’s a suggestion to Manny Villar: withdraw, support Pimentel, and play bleeding heart till 2010. You know, “I sacrifice my ambition in order to unite the opposition and serve the people.” Play the martyr. He can use that in his 2010 ads. The people will like it.

The recent statements issued by Mayor Alfredo S. Lim regarding Mendiola have led to a lot of people to ask a lot of questions. Probably the biggest question is: has he turned to the dark side, er, to the administration?

For context, read this Philippine Star report posted at ABS-CBN News.

I see the context as this: Fred Lim was a policeman who rose from the ranks. His assurance to Gloria Arroyo is just an extension, an assertion of his past experiences. Besides, as mayor, one of his duties is to ensure that peace reigns over the city. And since the Fortress is in Manila, that falls under his jurisdiction.

Besides, the Fortress is heavily fortified. The gate that was almost breached last May 1, 2001 is no longer a gate. I believe there is a standby force, ready to be deployed to the Fortress if needed.

As Manuel L. Quezon III has said, it is a cheap and easy guarantee.

Regarding his stand about rallies in Mendiola, it will surely not earn him pogi points from the Left; heck, there’s no love lost between the two. I think the law is on Lim’s side. Batas Pambansa 880 is still in effect, and since it is the law, Lim has no choice but to implement it.

My stand on rallies is simple: do it but do not cause inconvenience to others. I will defend your rights, but not at the expense of others. Also, rallies should be allowed to a certain limit. Rights should be exercised with responsibility.

The Left is fond of symbolism. Mendiola is just a road, yet it equates Mendiola to a symbol of freedom. You know, we can always rally at other places, but the Left insists on Mendiola. Here’s the problem with rallies: how can we be sure that we get our message across?

If you want a revolution, you influence the people. Inconvenience them, and see them turn away from you. People wouldn’t mind the inconvenience if you can influence them to agree to your cause; here, the Left has failed. This is their main problem.

As for Fred Lim, he has to seek balance between the right of the people to assemble and the right of others to be left alone in peace. I can understand Lim’s concern, since that part of the University Belt is prone to traffic jam. Four major roads converged on it – Mendiola, Azcarraga, Nepomuceno, and Legarda. These roads are not really that wide, and with the volume of traffic everyday, just close one lane and you’ll get a traffic jam. And the fact that there are several schools in the area makes things a wee bit complicated.

Although why not open one lane of Mendiola from the convergence point up to the next intersection? (In the map below, the area that I am proposing is marked by a red line, and terminates at the red box.) Maybe that stretch would be enough for rallies everyday, since Mendiola is not really a major thoroughfare as compared to Azcarraga and Legarda. Yes, that will put rallies closer to the Fortress, but as I have said, it is heavily fortified, still far from the Fortress, and they can always call for backup before a scheduled rally begins.

(Click on the image to enlarge.)

No, Lim has not turned to the dark side. He is just aiming at a balance. Maybe the Left should negotiate with him; who knows, he might open Mendiola entirely to rallies.