Is peace with terrorists attainable after Mamasapano?

As a guerrilla veteran of World War II, I want peace and to reign throughout our land. I was therefore terribly shocked upon seeing the photo showing the 21 Egyptian Christians about to be beheaded by Islamic State terrorists in Libya (“21 Egyptian Christians beheaded in new IS video,” Front Page, 2/17/15).

Why did the horrible beheading of defenseless, ordinary civilians have to happen? Are all religions truly anchored in a belief in God? For all men are created by God in His own image, to love one another? Were the 21 Egyptians beheaded because they were Christians? Why? Are the Islamic State terrorists godless? Are they atheists? Isn’t it Islam their religion and the religion of the Moro rebels in Mindanao, too?

I am now entertaining doubts as to the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL simply because, if approved by Congress, it might legitimize the establishment of an Islamic State within Philippine territory. I hope I am wrong in this assumption but as the saying goes: “Look before you leap.” Especially after the recent beheading of two Japanese and Egyptian Christians by Islamic State terrorists.

Take the case of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army. Their members must be atheists, after all, communism is a godless ideology. They are also against a democratic form of government. Hence, whatever peace agreement the government will be able to forge with them, it will never succeed because their ideology is directly opposed to our democratic way of life. Offer them a piece of bread, they’ll grab the whole loaf or even bite your hand because they want your whole body.

I think it’s useless negotiating with the rebels. Once a rebel, always a rebel. We want peace, but they want war.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters fight each other. And the Moro National Liberation Front has fought against the MILF. How can you have peace with warlike groups?

Is lasting peace attainable after the massacre of 44 Special Action Force police commandos?

—GODOFREDO O. PETEZA, district veterans president, Veterans Federation of the Philippines, Camarines Norte Veterans District-Region 5, JP Rizal Street, Daet, Camarines Norte