MILF, MNLF told: Join gov’t fight vs terrorism

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar appealed to the Filipino people to help the government fight “faceless” terrorists following the bombing of a night market in Davao City last Sept. 2. The government should also directly ask the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front to help hunt down and arrest the terrorists responsible for the carnage, whether they be Muslim or non-Muslim.

These secessionist groups can show their sincere desire to let peace reign in Mindanao not only by meeting government across the peace negotiation table but also by going after criminals and kidnap-for-ransom jihadists like the Abu Sayyaf.

As it is, the MILF and MNLF fighters just watch from the sidelines as soldiers hunt and battle ASGs in the jungles. The MILF and MNLF only leave military intelligence guessing the whereabouts of armed groups operating or hiding inside territories they control in Basilan and Sulu.

The MILF or MNLF could have helped prevent the Davao City bombing by sharing the information they have on the ASG’s terrorism plans. They could have prevented the deaths of more than a dozen soldiers in a gun battle with ASGs early this September had they fought on the side of the military.

Why can’t they help government in its counterterrorism campaign? Is it because the terrorists are their relatives? Is it because they get paid to protect terrorists who are in their areas? Or do they just want soldiers to get killed in action?

The insurgents and soldiers should unite at least in suppressing terrorists or lawless elements to advance the cause of peace and order in Mindanao as well as to prevent civilian deaths.

—SITO DOCILVAR, Kawit, Cavite