Zamboanga crisis averted if government lent MNLF an ear

In the olden days, wars, though cruel, were glorious. Battles were fought in open fields, away from civilians, thus sparing them the hostilities. Moreover, combatants dueled squarely.

But not so these days, as what is still currently happening in the Zamboanga standoff. After weeks, the conflict still rages on. Civilians caught in the crossfire get either wounded,  killed,  traumatized or held hostage—that is, if they survive at all. Even young women were reportedly abducted by the Moro National Liberation Front’s remaining forces, thus there were fears that they were being forcibly treated as their “wives.”

Both sides of the warring forces have their own share of fatalities. Bereaved families weep over dead soldiers, despising vigorously the evils of war amid the promises of a hero’s funeral.

Displaced from their once safe and happy homes, evacuees find life unbearable elsewhere—notwithstanding the lack of food, poor sanitation and insufficient shelter, hence making children and senior citizens more susceptible to viral infections or further aggravating their sickness. Then they could end up being so disturbed that many of them would hesitate going back to their respective residences, especially if their houses got burned. So where is home?

Yet this war could have been averted early on if only the sentiments of the MNLF were heard then. Moreover, both parties could have accepted the offer of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to help end the crisis. But there seems to be too many reservations on both sides, such that there was no chance for a peace dialogue.

The civilians, and perhaps even the combatants on both sides, would have wished that the zealousness of President Aquino in supposedly directing the operations in the war zone had been manifested much sooner in the pursuit of peace when it was still more viable. Who wants war anyway?

Meanwhile, the civilians continue to suffer the violence of war—a war not of their own making but one that gives them tremendous misery. The blood of the dying and the dead cries out for justice.

Benjamin Franklin, an American statesman, author and scientist, once said, “There never was a good war or a bad peace.” In both war and peace, those who “have great power have also great responsibility.” And, of course, great accountability. President Aquino and Nur Misuari should take this to heart. They owe it to the people, considering the loss of lives and damage to private properties that the war has caused. Even before the conflict is over, we do hope that a strong rehabilitation program shall have been in place, ready for implementation. If our leaders truly care about peace, then nobody would need “war biscuits.” Somehow, eradicating the need for it would be in itself some form of victory.

—ARMANDO LIBRANDO ALPAY,

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