The stand off, to tell it like it is, may now be reduced to a case of lifeboat ethics. A single option among many is the best possible solution if we are to situate it in its ordinary moral context. And this is that, we must choose who to save – it is as simple as that.
So, do we pull out government forces in exchange of Andreas, Jean, and Eugenio walking out free? Do we order troop offensive to get the ASG – dead or alive – even at the risk of innocent lives become part of collateral damage?
Either way it goes, it can only result in – Mission Accomplished or in Mission Failed. Certainly, there is no more superior force that can overcome the resources of the government in this childishly ‘hide and seek’ armed feud.
As soon as fireworks start, we can start to count the casualty toll on both sides of the armies – presumably more AFP/PNP troops killed than ASG militants – by simple mathematical given.
Is the government not ready enough to win or to lose against the backdrop of an entire universe – all eyes and ears – watching how the end-game scenario unfolds? Is Malacanang still finding a way out of the noose given the possible international repercussions if Swiss Notter and Italian Vagni get killed in the action?
Come to think of it, the entire hullaballoo spanning 76-day of indecision must now come to a close. Task Force Comet cannot buy more time. The ultimatum has already expired. The message of the ASG has already reached the Papacy that the Pope himself and the leaders of their own governments have already raised the humanitarian plea.
PGMA is commander-in-chief and it is judgment call for her to act now.
This is not the first time ever that ASG has kidnapped largely foreign guests, asked for ransom, behead some of their captives, killed their victims. The ASG group has marked points in history when they have carried out their lawless, criminal activities with impunity such as bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, extortion, etc. And the government is always pushed to the wall – unable to do what it is supposed to do.
Why is the AFP always suffering from infantile paralysis?
If government troops accomplished to kill Khadaffy Janjalani in September 2006 in Jolo Island and Abu Sulaiman in January 2007, who is it that the Philippine military cannot capture if it decides to? Sulu or Jolo are not too far away from the reach of government if it intends the basic delivery of goods and services, isn’t it?
While Mindanao in fact heavily subsidizes Luzon or imperial Manila, this island near Malaysia or Indonesia is shortchanged due to chronic neglect. Did not analyst Rex Robles rightly say that if only the Muslims are given livelihood along with their Christian brothers, then peace will reign as well?
Due to the beclouding uncertainty and the cutting the open communication wire, sense of distrust can only build greater tension than can be managed. The government through their various spokespersons – Dick Gordon, Ronnie Puno, Pong Biazon – never stop from registering their views across the viewing universe thus making known their motives.
The AFP/PNP after all, are already in the attack mode having gone back to the cordon area and as if to await only final orders from the high command – whoever calls the shot. If the government is not willing to grant the demands of the ASG, there is no time to waste but to act promptly in accordance with wisdom of the field military commanders.
Truly, Sen. Dick Gordon may well stop from talking to the point of blaming anyone who appears to cross his plan such as in when Gov. Tan declared a state of emergency in the entire province. Dick was quick to cast the blame.
Even Gordon’s dual personality as – officer of the PNRC and member of Senate actually have nothing to do with this crisis that is well within the proper cognizance of only the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It escapes comprehension what he is doing in the middle of the conflict through some armchair role-playing. Why indeed did he criticize BGen. Sabban who was consequently relieved from his command when this is the officer best in the know what to do, who to capture, how and when?
Viewed differently, if there is a higher scheme of things, it just might be possible that the government is simply trying to court favor from President Baruck Obama of the strongest military empire of the world.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Setting aside this emotion crybaby thing and RexRobles blah-blah-blah… Parad is a counter-insurgency item, so would you know how many government troops are on Jolo? On Basilan?
Are there 2 troops/CAFGU per thousand population or are there 10 troops per thousand population?
Do you have numbers about Luzon leeches off Jolo? How much VAT and other taxes are paid by Jolo residents? How much does Pinas government spend for Jolo?
[NOTE: Since 1997, USAID has spent $4 million a year in the region. On one of her visits, Ambassador On her visit, Kenney announced that USA has another project --- $3 million plan to improve the Jolo Airport.]
“While Mindanao in fact heavily subsidizes Luzon or imperial Manila, this island near Malaysia or Indonesia is shortchanged due to chronic neglect.”
‘Chronic neglect’ is a disease pervading the country from Aparri to Jolo caused by a virus called ‘government’.
Such ‘disease’ should not be use as justification for any group to kidnap and behead their fellowmen.
“Disease” is a product of neglect. Neglect education – and you’ll have an individual whose answer to any challenge is a gun and a stick of dynamite. We reap what we sow.
Time to partition the Philippines and deal with the chronic neglect once and for all.
No need to prolong the agony.
Czech Republic and Slovak Republic are stronger as separate republics than as an artificial entity called Czechslovakia. Enough of this farcical Philippine “nationalism”.
Do you propose to partition Quiapo, too, because of Muslim community there? And Taguig, and Virra Mall, and Baclaran, and others?
Are you proposing to erase the Philippines in the World Map?
Will you be happy living in Bangsaphil rather than in the Philippines?
And where in Bangsaphil would you want to live…in Bangsaiapo? Or Bangsaguig? heheh.
“Time to partition the Philippines and deal with the chronic neglect once and for all.”
Do you think partitioning the country will cleanse the hands of those dirty politicians? Or is that just a misplaced rhetoric, or misplaced logic?
Bert:
When it’s already your territory do as you please.
And yes, I propose erasing the Philippines from the world map. It wasn’t there before 1500, so there’s no love lost if it’s not there in 2010.
Where will I live, dude, I can be a dual citizen of the Mindanao Republic and the Bangsa Moro, shuttling between the capital cities of Davao and Marawi, why wade through the floodplains and smog of NCR.
Partitioning will do good. If a moro politicians gets out of line – we can whack him coz he’s in our hood. It’s tough to whack a Congressmen or Senator in another island.
But Bong, you have to practice lots how to dodge landmines and suicide bombers, Mindanao Republic could be Sunnis, and Bangsamoro Shites.
Easier dodging taxes in the old land of the Philippines. Friendly advice, Bong. Better stick with your old passport.
nielsky : be a little bit more tough and cut down on this whine-whine-whine thing. benign0 may be inclined to not put the period where you did and the sentence may have to read:
‘Chronic neglect’ is a disease pervading the country from Aparri to Jolo caused by a virus called ‘government’ of Filipinos by Filipinos.
so what is your thesis of why this “impasse” is not resolved pronto?
Nielsky,
Assume that you were GMA, how would you resolve the issue?
Unsolicited reply:
Do a Gorbachev. Dissolve the failed Philippine state. Repartition – let the Pre-colonial nations come forth.
it is always easy for anybody to dish out punditry looking at the problem from their swivel chair and away from the realities on the ground.
STAND-OFF? What stand-off? Abu Sayaff has escaped! Abu Sayaff escaped from a dragnet of PMA-commanded troops! How in the freakin’ world this rag-tag team of Abu Sayaff able to squirm out of PMA-FBI-trained commanders in a very small island is beyond me.
And here you are talking about stand-off? Dude!
The first order of argument should be, HOW in the world they got out of the dragnet of “PROFESSIONALS” military PMA commanders?
THAT’S A QUESTION THAT YOU CAN NEVER FIND IN PEKENG-PERYODIKO. NOT ONE OF THEM POSED THIS QUESTION.
It’s either their extra-dumb, ultra-stupid or extra-super-duper-clueless!!!
Exactly!!!
… And these are the very same commanders who protects SPRATLEYS? HESUS MARIA JOSEF TABANGA
You better say our prayers ….
Military option must be still a priority. It takes two to tango. If
they want to talk . We will talk.
The ideology of the Abu Sayyaf is the same as the Taliban. Mullah
Muhammad Omar is not really a Mullah, which he claimed to be.
As most Muslims have a saying:”Half of a Doctor is dangerous to your
health. Half of a Mullah is also dangerous to your faith.”
True Muslims are knowledgeable and are Islamic scholars. They are not
like those Terrorists; who pervert the faith by killing helpless people, kidnapping and beheading people.
You are kiddding, Tasio, aren’t you? Ask any Christian Catholic in the Philippines if they know their faith thru-and-thru.
Pilifinos Christian Catholic is half-and-half.
but Christians Catholics in the Philippines do not take hostage to further their ideology.
Rene,
Ask the Commander-in-Chief why the ASGs can always squirm out of the PMA-woven dragnet. For one, it goes with the nature of territory and the guerilla warfare being waged. Also, something out of a lack of counter-skill perhaps.
Unless on orders from Malacanang?
Bong,
If the government can afford a ‘big experiment’, then let that island be left to its own – army, economy, justice system, sovereignty – unless sooner or later reclaimed by the central government?
Then, let us see what signs indicate?
Karl,
The islands were working just fine until foreign occupation forces came on the shores of the island – Spaniards, Indios, Yanks, and Goops.
The “big experiment” is actually staring us in the face today – an Asian Balkan.
UP,
I didn’t not define ‘chronic neglect’ in the manner you thought I will while benigno is sitting in the corner.
jcc,
I guess – overtaken by events.
Quite candidly, 76 days have been long enough time for a military problem to have any military solution.
But Task Force Comet is multi-agency and democracy simply runs exceedingly slow for any quick solution to a long drawn conflict.
Stand off, as a word, can be liberally than literally interpreted.
ZrFaXb comment1 ,
I understand that the Sri Lankan army just routed the Tamil Tigers. Maybe the Philippines can do a balikatan exercise with the Sri Lankan military. I think they’d be better partners in this than the US which has been stuck in the Stan countries for quite a while now.
Hell, rent the whole Sri Lankan army to pursue and capture all terrorist/bandits/wanna be separatists. That’s my suggestion to GMA.
foreign mujaheddin from the Ummah will be glad to high five with the Sri Lankans.
or.. a couple of divisions from neighboring Muslim countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei – plus some assistance from Pakistan’s Taliban – that’s why uncle sam is the security guard of asia’s only nominal catholic country