Include Mindanaons in gov’t peace panel

No matter how strongly the government would deny it, it is apparent that there are a significant number of military and police officers, as well as rank and file, who are demoralized because of the laid-back attitude President Benigno Aquino III have shown toward the killing of soldiers and policemen in “misencounters” with rebels.

In the recent Mamasapano massacre, the perpetrators—who have been identified as members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the notorious Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters—are literally getting away with murder because the government seems to be dragging its feet on their treachery. Many are wondering how President Aquino would have acted if among the victims of these rebels were members of his family and relatives. On the other hand, had it been that the massacre victims were relatives of the Moro rebels, the MILF and the BIFF would have most likely immediately struck back at the first opportunity.

Clearly, the only party that is seriously adhering to the peace process is the government. The MILF is simply going through the motion of abiding by the process to be able to tie the hands of government. This has been going on for many years, and the government does not seem to realize it.

Obviously, President Aquino and many of his advisers, including members of the peace panel, have not lived long enough or have never lived in Mindanao at all to fully understand how to effectively deal with the Moros and the other tribes there. That is why wrong decisions are constantly being made by them.

In the case of the MILF, it wants peace only on its own terms. It will never accept what the government wants, especially now that our leaders have shown signs of weakness.

The government panel in the so-called peace process should be revamped to include people from Mindanao because the latter know how to effectively deal with the Moros. The incumbent members of the panel are largely ignorant of the ways of the Moros.

—MELCHOR AMADO JR., [email protected]