Ok, I admit, Electoral Violence IS the actual National Sport. Indeed, I have said as much myself in my numerous longwinded posts devoted to the queer spectacle known as "Philippine Politics." But really, think about it, there is not much of a contest watching 2 (or more) candidates for Barangay Kagwad beating each other's brains in...or shooting each other's brains out...or, well you get the jist of it. With KFR (Kidnap for Ransom) the highest ransom wins. A far simpler version might be called, "Great Day, Not so Great Day." This entry's contestants:
December 14, 2010 was a " great day" for Cecillia Sosas. Back on November 15, 2010, Ms.Sosas, the Vice Principal of Baas Elementary School in Barangay Baas, Lamitan, Basilan Island was standing with teacher Merlyn Yacatip, when 6 gunmen forced the 2 women out of the school just before 11AM. Naturally those who witnessed it immediately called authorities and a composite force of the AFP's 32IB (Infantry Battalion) and PNP-PMG#1518 (Philippine National Police-Police Mobile Group#1518) were deployed in pursuit of the kidnappers. As the Blocking Forces took position, the kidnappers, later confirmed to be ASG's (Abu Sayyaf Group) Jamiri Faction, deployed a simple diversionary tactic, they released Ms.Yacatip just before noon in Sitio Manuk, Barangay Talon, Tuburan, just across the border from the municipality of Mohammad Ajul.
The ASG gunmen then worked their way to the shoreline of Tuburan where a motor banca (a local style wooden boat) carrying 3 more guerillas took custody of Ms.Sosas. She was then taken by sea to to the municipality of Sumisip where another band of gunmen took custody of her and as night fell brought her into Barangay Luuk-Bait where she was dropped off at a house. After the homeowner divested her of her jewlery, including her wedding ring, she was basically left to her own terrified thoughts until the evening of November 17. Told that the barangay would be having a fiesta the next day Ms.Sosas and that the chance of discovery was too great. To try and avoid detection her captor led the blindfolded Ms.Sosas to a patch of jungle on the outskirts of the barangay where hidden by vegetation, she spent the next 15 days living exposed to the elements.
On the evening of December 03 she was taken under the cover of darkness to an abandoned jungle nipa (bamboo and thatched palm leaf dwelling). There she was handcuffed to 1 of the interior log supports though her right arm remained free. She was given sufficient water, food and a bed pan, which was left within reach. Alone all day, a solitary guard would come each night to replenish her sustenance and empty her waste. Other than that she was simply warned against making noise and told to wait.
On Tuesday, December 14, at 7PM her guard returned earlier than usual and blindfolded her. Leading her to a waiting motorcycle whose driver was idling, she was told to hold on tightly. At roughly 730PM her driver stopped, helped her dismount and led her to 1 of 2 idling motorcycles. After her intial driver departed they left that site and continued until reaching in Barangay Lagayas, Tipo Tipo near the border of Barangay Cabangalan in the neighbouring town of Ungkaya Pukan. There she was helped off the motorcycle and warned not to attempt to remove her blindfold until she could no longer hear the motorcycles. After nearly a month Cecillia Sosas was free and re-united with her family.
That same evening, Tuesday, December 14, 2010, at exactly the time Ms.Sosas was being helped astride the initial motorcycle that would take her to freedom, 21 year old Mary Cris Cuartocruz was about to have a "not so great day." Sitting at home in Sitio Kilometer#26 in Zamboanga City's Barangay Manihacan, the young lady might have been imagining the huge changes that would take place in her life once her paperwork came through for her nursing job in New Zealand. Her father is an OFW (Overseas Foreign Worker, Filipinos who work in foreign nations), so she was at home alone with her mother, a rice trader, when 4 gunmen burst through the door of her home. As her mother began screaming for help 1 of the 4 gun men smacked her until she was subdued. Very rapidly the men moved Mary outside where 6 more gunmen kept watch. Alerted by his daughter and grandadaughter's screams, 72 year old Jesus Sogradiel ran from his home next door only to be shot to death with an M16. The gunmen, now known to be MILF guerillas with 113 Base Command, moved the young lady to the shore of that barangay where she then disappeared into the abyss.
It was a "very good day" for 19 year old Alcher"Archie"Baricuatro and his 18 year old girlfriend Sheila May Vidal. Very late in the evening of Monday, December 06, 2010, the young lovers snuck out of their respective dormitories on the Marawi City Campus of MSU (Mindanao State University) in Lanao del Sur Province. Archie, majoring in Agricultural Engineering and Sheila Mae, a Hotel and Resturant Management Major held their late night rendevouz on the deserted grounds of the university's dairy farm in Barangay Lomdiong-Salam . I should say "almost deserted" because as the young lovers strolled hand in hand back to their dorms the next morning they were waylaid by a band of gunmen led by Selik Muslimen and Machol Sabtulah who themselves work for the Jamail Pumbaya KFR (Kidnap for Ransom) Group centered in Poona Piagapo, Lanao del Norte Province.
Kidnapped at 830AM on Tuesday, December 07, by noon the couple was saying goodbbye to each other in a house located on the border of the afore mentioned town of Poona Piagapo and the town of Saguiaran, over the provincial border in Lanao del Sur after initially having been taken to Ramain, Lanao del Sur. Ms.Vidal was moved to a house in Poona Piagapo's Barangay Gacap while Baricuatro was taken to a house in the town of Balo-i in Lanao del Norte and there they remained as MSU frantically tried to keep this out of the media. The school's President, Dr.Macapado Abaton was so terrified of the media that he refused to even notify the families who had the shock of their lives when the story finally surfaced on Friday, December 10.
The Vidal family are from Butuan City, in Agusan del Norte Province while the Baricuatro family is from Kapatagan in Lanao del Norte Province. Both families are Seventh Day Adventists but the couple only met this year at school. Another thing both families have in common is the fact that both are far from wealthy and had no hope of paying the final ransom of P100,000 per person (2,000 US per) , much less the initial
P1 Million Pesos (22,000 US). The payoff ended up coming from MSU. Since there really isn't any type of torte liability as one finds in the West it is certain that Dr.Abaton was merely trying to save the school budget some money in the short term (since he was well aware that the school almost always pays the ransom of its students and staff and once it reaches the media cachet grows as the abductees get sold up the food chain). MSU has been targetted numerous times, the last case I know of personally was in October of 2008 when the school's. Budget Director, Hipolito Mendoza was kidnapped in the afore mentioned town of Saguiaran's Barangay Bubong (in Lanao del Sur Province). Saguiaran of course is the town where 1 of the 2 young people I am discussing were held as well. Mendoza was kidnapped by this same group. The leader, Jamail Pumbaya is a sub-Kumander (Deputy Commander) with the MILF 102 Base Command, under Kumander Bravo. After MSU paid the 200,000 Pesos the couple were both released in that same town of Poona Piagapo, on Tuesday, December 15, 2010, at 5AM.
It was a VERY "great day" for Edgar T.Cuajao. The 27 year old paint salesman was out buying bread (I didn't even know you can smoke"bread," go figure) in Barangay Kauswagan, Cagayan del Oro City in Misamis Oriental Province when a group of gunmen under Ali Acbar Dagalangit who forced Cuajao to drive his own Toyota Vios to Dagalangit's hometown of Lumba Bayabao, in Lanao del Sur Province. The Toyota was found abandoned in the town the next evening, Sunday, December 12. Intemediaries approached Dagalangit's grandfather, (Ret) LTC (PA) (Retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Philippine Army) Felipino Dagalangit along with Mayor Gambai Dagalangit, a clansman of Ali's.
In the end Mr.Cuajao was released sans ransom so he had the best day so far, don't you think? I told you this was an easy game!
OK, OK, one more contestant but hers is a bit different. 53 year old Eufemia Trocio of Barangay San Miguel in Lanao del Norte Province's Iligan City who because she borrowed 300,000 Pesos
(6,200 US) and then would not, or perhaps could not pay it back, was kidnapped on November 03, 2010 and held in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur Province. Her family was promptly contacted but when they failed to get the ransom lowered by November 22, decided to have her brother Edmundo Silang report the abduction to the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation). On Tuesday, December 14 she too was released after pressure was applied to Marawi's Mayor, Fahad"Pre"Salic who then miraculously had Ms.Trocio delivered to the NBI Regional Office (I will let you think about that one).
November 04, 2010 was much like any other day. William Ang Go, a 55 year old Tsinoy rice and corn miller and the owner of a commercial truck scale, all located within his "Mincorn" compound on Leon Llido Street in Barangay Lagao in GenSan (General Santos City). Mr. Go drove his 1997 Toyota Corolla to his business, also known as "Mandayao Trading," after first stopping for petrol, where as he always bought 2 liters of gasoline. His frugal ways usually earned Go derision but today they just might have saved his life.
At 2PM, 4 men riding tandem on 2 motorcycles drove into the yard. The men riding on the back of each motorcycle then grabbed Mr,Go and forced him into his own Corolla. Pulling out of the compound the Corolla and the the 2 motorcycles, 1 in front and the other following the car, sped north on General Santos-Cotabato National Hiway. Almost immediately General Santos PNP were notified and engaged in a vehicular pursuit. At almost 6PM a team led by PO2 Sasi sighted the Cirolla by the side of a street in Barangay San Jose, 30 kilometers north of Go's compound but still within GenSan city limits. As the PNP approached on foot the lone assailant guarding Go spotted the police and quickly escaped. Go was found shocked but in good health. His car had run out of fuel, preserving his freedom and possibly his life.
November 02, 2010, Rosabella"Rose"Barranda was on a jeepney returning to her home in Barangay Tumahubong, Sumisip on Basilan Island fromthe town of Lamitan where she had attended a Bible Study early that morning. The 60 year old woman suffering from both diabetes and hypertension had immersed herself in religion since her husband had passed away in 2009. Though she owned a
sari-sari (small general store) on a rubber plantation in her barangay, she spent most of her waking hours at Tumsbuhong Alliance Church where she was a Church Leader. Taken from the jeepney by 6 guerillas from the ASG-Jamiri Faction she was held, at least intially, at a house in the town of al Barka.
At 3AM the next morning, November 03, the family received an SMS (text) from Rose's phone demanding a ransom of 3 Million Pesos (66,000 US). When this figure was rejected and upon investigation the guerillas discovered they had kidnapped a widow with very few assets, ASG attempted a fast sell, demanding 1 Million Pesos (22,000 US) and 2 brand new M16s, each equipped with grenade launchers.
Ms.Barranda is known to be in the custody of a group under sub-Kumander Hud Limaya. A list of guerillas under Limaya:
Abdurasan Limaya
Sapata Limaya
Ustadz Mahmud Tujajin
Botchoy Mastiri
Gaisal Abdulsattar
Malista Nalangka
Abubakar Palinta
Tikih Palinta
October 30, 2010, in Barangay San Jose, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, 55 year old Babet"Nania"Gomonit, a retired teacher was putting her 10 year old grandson Cekim to bed just before 11PM when 3 gunmen and 1 woman invaded the home. Other family members present were hogtied as Babet and Cekim were taken from the home and placed in the family's Isuzu Trooper which the 4 kidnappers then used to escape, driving towards the town of Labangan. The next morning, October 31, the SUV was discovered abandoned in Barangay Sugod, Tukuan, in that same province. Babet's husband is the owner of a large construcrion business though interestingly, there hasn't been a single communication with either the kidnappers OR the 2 victims. In addition, the 4 people who entered the home were Cebuanos (aka"Bisaya, as is the family affected) so that it seems not to have been KFR at all but perhaps family related.
On October 10, 2010 in Barangay Bus Bus, Jolo City, Jolo Island in Sulu Province, 21 year old Tsinoy (I will explain in the next case below exactly what that term means) Kenn"Kenny"Klefford Lao, a student in Jolo City's Notre Dame was reportedly excited as he gushed to classmates that he was going outside the campus to meet an anonymous "textmate" (the Philippines is the #1 consumer worldwide for SMS Messaging, aka"Texting."Many young Filipinos randomly dial numbers and begin friendships and even romances in this manner...It is not considered unusual in the least). As Lao exited the campus and stood in front of Notre Dame Cathedral he was kidnapped by ASG, though the exact faction now holding him remains unclear. The initial faction was a minor one, led by an ambitious man, Kumander Basaron Arok. Holding Lao in the faction's main camp in the jungle between Barangays Tanum and Maligay within the municipal boundries of Patikul on Jolo Island. Having asked Lao's family, who like virtually all Tsinoy have told the authorities to mind their own business, for a ransom of 3 Million Pesos (66,000 US) and been told they won't pay that much (bargaining is a de riguer part of the process), the faction is known to have sold Lao up the food chain.
On October 08, 2010, at 530PM on a Friday evening, Conchita Atienza Tan was sitting in the backseat while her husband Lucio rode by her side as one of their bodyguards, Richard Emberga, drove the couple home with a second bodyguard, former AFP Marine Eduardo"Alvin"Doruelo riding shotgun . As leading members of the Cotabato City Tsinoy Community ("Tsinoy" is a bastardisation of the words"Cheneta"for"Chinese" and"Pinoy" for"Filipino,"the same no matter the language or dialect though sometimes the word"Chinoy"is also used) they were well used to heavy security precautions. Though the Chinese have been in these islands since at least the 11th Century CE/AD they are perrenial outsiders. Until Independance they were forbidden from owning land, from working most occupations or intermarrying with non-Chinese and so they have evolved into an extremely insular culture that has carved a niche for itself as traders and businesspeople. The problem with such a niche is that it tends to inspire extreme resentment. The Philippines is an extremely poor nation and Mindanao is its poorest island. Noone sees poor Chinese because this very insular community takes care of its own so that in the end they are jealousy perceived as universally wealthy. They are realists, pragmatists but their pragmatism also paints them into a corner in that their tendency to see a ransom as the cost of doing business simply perpetuates their constant victimisation. All the more so when Tsinoy have an inherent distrust in the Philippine political system and would rarely consider even approaching a Philippine police department, let alone let them handle a delicate personal (or alternatively a business matter) matter such as a kidnappimg.
The Tans own the largest hardware slash feed store in Cotabato City, "LCT Hardware," on Don Rufino Alonzo Street and so always travel with at least 3 bodyguards. As their SUV turned onto Quezon Ave from the city's bustling shopping district with a third bodyguard driving a chase car behind them (a 2nd vehicle with which to make a quick exit should attackers target the SUV, or alternatively, to give chase should someone be dragged into an attacker's vehicle) and was but 30 meters from the Tan family home, 6 men armed with M16s stepped out of the evening shadows. 4 men stayed towards the rear, boxing the chase car in as the 2 other gunmen moved forward on either side of the SUV. Getting to the front seat each gunmen simultaneously used the stock of their M16 to break the windows. Before either Doruelos or Emberga could react both were shot in the head. Doruelos, the lead bodyguard for the couple, was killed instantly while Emberga died a few minutes later as he bled out (but was instantly incapacitated.).
From Magallanes Street, the street where the Tans live, a Toyota Corolla and a Toyota Tamaraw FX screeched to a halt beside the 2 Tan vehicles. Dragging a screaming Ms.Tan from the SUV and placing her quickly inside the Corolla, the 2 get away vehicles peeled out and sped towards Abbey Road, the street leading them out of Barangay Rosary Heights, the Tan's neighbourhood.
That night the Corolla was recovered abandoned, empty apart from a single RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) round, next to the Rio Grande (Pulangi River), the river separating the provinces of North Cotabato and Maguindanao. The kidnappers had taken Ms.Tan aboard a pumpboat and transported her down stream to the municipality of Kabuntulan in Maguindanao. Cotabato City's new mayor, Japal Guiani Jr. immediately issued Executive Order#19, creating Task Force Conchita (TF Conchita) and appointed the CO (Commanding Officer) of the 603rd Infantry Brigade as his co-Chairman.
As is so often the case the MILF was accused of having a hand in the murder-kidnapping (I wonder why, I mean, even the AFP doesnt have RPGs) and as usual claimed it was highly offended. The MILF Central Committee then issued an immediate Directive to all Base Commands (a Base Command is more or less equal to a single battalion in terms of manpower) to assist in the search for Ms.Tan and to coordinate movements with the AFP so as to avoid an inadvertant firefight as they searched. As it turned out the Tans paid their matriarch's ransom post haste and she was released before daylight on Friday, October 15, 2010 on General Santos- Cotabato Hiway in the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, near the border of Talayan in Maguindanao Province, and was picked up by a brother-in-law to be reunited with a grateful family. Of course Mr Doruelos and Mr.Embarga had no such reunion but that goes without saying.
Interestingly, and quite telling, it was on October 01 that Yu Beng Chua, President of the Cotabato City Chapter of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce added his voice to the multitude asking for a re-deployment of AFP Marines to the city to stem the tide of KFRs taking place with regard to Cotabato City Tsinoys. In the late 1990s when the GRP-MNLF Peace Process reached what was believed to be a Final Settlement in that (then) 24 year old insurgency with the inking of the so called, "Jakarta 1996 Agreement." That document put thousands of MNLF guerillas out of work. More than a few became involved in organised kidnapping groups and so the Tsinoy of the region became easy pickings. The AFP Marines deployed an element to the city and the situation stabalised though it had practically nothing to do with the Marines.
Haris Daud, a Maguindanowan Tribesman from Parang, Maguindanao Province will probablly never want to cross into Lanao del Sur Province again. In late August Haris, whose surname was erroneously reported as "Lidasan," was minding his own business when an irate group of Maranaw (Maranaon) Tribesmen kidnapped him at an impromptu roadblock. They then tried to barter Haris' life for an Toyota Vios van that had been impounded by the municipal PNP of Parang, Haris' hometown. Instead of returning the van, Haris' clansmen simply travelled into Lanao del Sur Province and set up their own roadblock in the town of Matanog. It didn't take long at all until 2 vans with a toyal of 7 Maranaw men fell into their trap and voila...The Maranaw holding Haris agreed to accept their 7 brethren in exchange for Haris. As an initial gesture (important in both cultures) the Daud Clan released 2 of the Maranaw men. Haris was then released on September 14, 2010 and when he crossed the provincial border the other 5 Maranaw were driven to the provincial line and released. The van remained in Parang.
Showing posts with label GRP-MILF Peace Process. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GRP-MILF Peace Process. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
GPH-MILF Peace Process,Last Quarter of 2011:The MILF, Treading Water as Always
In the Honeymoon Phase both (then) newly elected-President Aquino and the MILF could not help but trip over themselves as they gushed sweet nothings,promising a full scale resumption of the GHP-MILF Peace Process.Of course both sides saw no reason to jump back onto that bicycle built for two just then and instead vowed to get down to the task at hand immediately after Ramadan,a month long Muslim"holiday."Well Ramadan has come and gone.After that breather both sides yawned,stretched and finally noticed that it was rather close to the Haj,the time of year when most Muslims who are able,make a pilgrimage to the al Hajaz region of Saudi Arabia.Then,afterwards,came Islamic New Year...besides,the Philippine Xmas Season officially begins on December 16...so let's just hold the darn thing in early 2011.
Of course before both sides can begin to talk to each other,they need people to do the"talking."While the Philipine Government began empanelling its representatives in early July,just about 2 weeks after President Aquino was inagurated.On the flip side,the MILF did what it does best,it put a finger in each ear and tried to find an extra hand so that they could point a finger at someone else (really doesn't matter WHO,anyone will do in a pinch). Finally,as the nation waited with baited breath (hey,it COULD happen) the MILF finally deigned to reveal the names on their re-constituted Peace Panel:
Mohagher Iqbal, Chairman.
Datu Michael O.Mastura
Maulana"Bobby"Alonto
Datu Antonio Kinoc
Abdullah Camilan
Professor Abhoud Sweed (Syed) Linga.
No suprises there, indeed not even any new names since 2 of the 3 new people (Kinoc and Camilan) were long involved on the Technical end of the Process.The 3rd,Lingga,is a flunky who is moderately well known to observers for his involvement in very minor MILF entities.I will go into great depth when I devote an entire post to the MILF Panel.
The next day,September 14, 2010,OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process) Secretary Teresita Q.Deles announced that President Aquino had approved the blueprint for the latest Round of the GHP-MILF Peace Process,without elaborating as to what said blueprint will consist of.The decision came after Aquino met with Malaysian Foreign Minister,Dato Sri Hanifa HJ Aman.Ms.Deles made her remarks during a short speech at the Turn Over Ceremony for MinDA (Mindanao Development Authority).She also announced that the 2 sides plan to hold an informal get together sometime before December so as to iron out any large wrinkles ahead of formal resumption.When asked why it might take additional time before said resumption,in light of both sides having repeatedly vowed to implement resumption just after the end of Ramadan,Deles dropped the ball and said that they are now awaiting word from Malaysia,which as Facilitator of the Peace Process has the responsibility to set the date.
Speaking of MinDA,longtime Chairman Jesus Dureza,who concurrently served as Deles' predecessor as the last Secretary of OPAPP under the Arroyo Administration,handed over control of MinDA to old hand Luwalhati Antonino.Ms.Antonino,a native of Upi,Maguindanao Province (though in her day it was still a part of N.Cotabato Province) made her mark as one of the infamous"Tres Marias" (3 Marias).As the Congresswoman representing South Cotabato Province from 1992 to 2001,Ms.Antonino was an active opponent of the MILF (as well as the MNLF,as well as most anything Muslim).As the so called"Final Agreement" (aka "Jakarta Accorf of 1996") between the Philippine Government and the MNLF began shaping up in 1995 she joined together with 2 other female politicians who vehemently opposed any kind of settlement with Filipino-Muslims at the expence of non-Muslim Filipinos,Daisy Fuentes and the legendary,late Maria Clara Lobregat.
Along with her 2 contemporaries,Ms.Fuentes and the late Ms.Lobregat (mother of Mayor Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga City and at the time Mayor herself) Ms.Antonino did all that she could possibly do to mitigate the effects of Jakarta 96 (once the Agreement itself became inevitable). Though generally known as the "Tres Marias," the MILF (and most other Filipino-Muslims) referred to the trio as the,"Black Marias."It only took a few days for Secretary Antonino to run afoul of the MILF once again.The issue that caused the consternation? Ms.Antonino hand the gall to tell the media that the MILF's BADF (Bangsamoro Development Assistance Fund) was a product of the GPH-MILF Peace Process.That statement caused Chairman of the then newly re-constituted MILF Peace Panel Secretariat,Jun Mantawil to angrily point out that while the MILF's BDA (Bangsamoro Development Agency) WAS such a development,the BDAF was NOT. The BDA was created out of the (GPH-MILF) Tripoli 2001 Agreement (June 22, 2001) with the mandate to "determine, lead, and manage" relief,rehabilitation and development projects within the targeted area.On the other hand,the BDAF was created by virtue of Executive Order #872, by former-President Arroyo (March 16, 2010) as an implementation mechanism for the afore mentioned economic reforms that were to have been realised by Jakarta 96.Ergo the BDAF is MNLF-centric where as the BDA is MILF-centric.
Septmber 27,2010 saw the MILF jump into the fray surrounding the proposed"Pulangi V"hydro-electric project in Bukidnon Province.The"El Nino"-related drought that effected Mindanao in the Summer of 2010 severely limited the island's hydro-electric output.With 55% of Mindanao deriving its electricity from hydro-electricty,droughts can be catastrophic.How much more so when that 55% of the island relies on 2 plants?The 2 plants,Agus in Lanao del Sur and Pulangi in Bukidnon are in dire straits.For the sake of brevity I will desist from going into great detail, sufficient to say that even in the best of times these 2 plants are struggling.
There is,without an iota of doubt,an extremely pressing need for viable,sustainable energy sources.However,the proposed"Pulangi V"project would utilise a dam on the Upper Cotabato Basin that would flood roughly 32,000 hectares of land that composed 80% of a single CAD (Certificate of Ancestral Domain,a claim by a tribe on its historical, ancestral lands).Among these flooded lands would be the holiest shrine of most Manobo Tribes,a site also holy to other tribes as well.I plan to do an entry on the Pulangi Project as well as its dire ramifications in an entry on"Development Aggression."
With a new president comes a new Peace Panel and THIS Panel's Chairperson,Mario Victor"Marvic"Leonen naturally wants to prove himself capable.How does Mr.Leonen try to do this?He has taken aim at long time Facilitating Nation,the nation of Malaysia,by denigrating its long time representative,Datuk Othman bin 'Abd Razak.On November 16, 2010 the Philippines formally requested that Datuk Razak ("Datuk" is the Malay equivalent of the Southern Philippine title "Datu"),be replaced claiming that Razak had long exhibited a bias against the Philippines.The MILF Central Committee then passed a Resolution in which,aside from lauding Razak,asked Malaysia not to acede to GRP's demands.
Said Resolution was then concurred by the Chairman of the MILF,al Haj Murad Ebrahim.Leonen continued his personal crusade on a Manila radio station during an interview on November 20 where he said that aside from Othman's extreme bias against the Philippine Government he also has been more than a bit keen on taking credit for past GHP-MILF Agreements which contravenes the modus operandi of an effective Facilitator.More over says Leonen,an objective Facilitator would resign post haste upon learning that 1 or both parties he was facilitating had lost all confidence in him.Razak's reluctance to do so is proof positive of his lack of objectivity.
As this minor soap opera unfolded another avoidable snafu was taking place.Since mid-September the MILF has been up in arms about the IMT Programme.IMTs, or International Monitoring Teams,are a product of the 2002 phase of the GPH-MILF Peace Process.Currently with 39 people from 4 nations (Malaysia,which administers the programme overall has 20; Brunei,15;Libya,3 and Japan has a single representative) the programme functions as a Ceasefire Security Mechanism, to minimise the number of armed engagements between the MILF's armed wing,the BIAF (Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces) and the APF (Armed Forces of the Philippines).
Currently in its 5th deployment,the IMT's mandate is set to expire on February 28, 2011 despite the deployment having began on December 09, 2009 (though this disparity between"Mandate"and"Deployment"has led to controversy and confusion).Because Team deployments last only 12 months the nations involved had been set to withdraw their personnel on December 08, 2010.When the Philippine Government shrugged off its inertia and began to join the MILF in its request for an extension until at least February 28,the official termination date,the MILF suddenly lost interest and then took the opposite stance.The Philippine Government transmitted this request formally on Deceber 01 via a Note Verbale to the diplomatic missions of each of the 4 IMT nations.Finally the MILF"reluctantly agreed"to the same request,an extension until the official termination date via formal letters,from Chairman of the MILF Peace Panel,Mohagher Iqbal on December 03.
The MILF has been expressing concerns over the stated,and even more so,the unstated intentions of the UNWFP (UN World Food Programme) with regard to Ligusuan Marsh.On December 10,2010 the WFP (as it is known in shorthand) Deputy Director for the Philippines,Asaka Nyangara visited a WFP funded tree nursery in the town of Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao Province.The nursery which is equipped to raise 100,000 seedlings is primed to take part in a huge rehabilitation of Ligusuan Marsh.The wetlands span the provinces of North Cotabato,Maguindanao,Sultan Kudarat and Lanao del Sur Provinces and covers a total of 288,000 hectares.The MILF has been observing all the to do and rather quietly noting that the WFP whose primary mission is to provide food staples in extreme locations such as the conflict affected areas of Mindanao is now aiming to do a massive rehabilitation of an ecosystem.This ecosysten just happens to sit atop what some feel may be massive reserves of natural gas and oil.
On December 11,Secretary of the MILF's Central Committee Muhammad Ameen publicly asked why the WFP's envisioned rehab of the marsh was needed on such a grand scale?He also cautioned the UN to coordinate all activities within MILF AOR with the MILF itself.It was such lack of coordination that caused the 2003 GPH-MILF War (aka "Buliok Complex War") in and around that same marsh.
Since MILF founder Salamat Hashim died from natural causes in 2003 the organisation has been Chaired by al Haj Murad Ebrahim.Though Hashim was never one for the limelight he was a rock star compared to his successor,al Haj Murad. Ergo it is hard to discern fact from rumour with regard to reports that Murad is lying in a hospital bed in Malaysia's Sabah State.What is known for sure is that the reclusive leader had enjoyed an all expence paid junket to attend a conference sponsored by a Swiss NGO devoted to fair governance and independent judiciaries being held in Geneva,Switzerland from September 23 to September 28.Murad then travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Haj Pilgrimage (once again).It is believed, according to
IS-AFP (Military Intelligence), that he then travelled to Malaysia, on MILF business.While in Malaysia Murad is said to have made his way from Kuala Lampur to Sabah,which sits on the island of Borneo.It was in Sabah reports say that Murad suffered a massive stroke that as of December 03 has kept him confined to a hospital bed with half of his body paralysed.0f course the MILF is denying that its erstwhile leader is even ill but refuses to disclose his whereabouts,much less what has happened to him since al Haj (not Murad per se,but the Islamic Pilgrimage itself) ended roughly 2 months ago and Murad hasn't ben seen since. If the Intelligence Reports are accurate it would have catastrophic results for the GPH-MILF Peace Process.One should remember that founder Hashim Salamat died in the middle of July,2003 and his death was only publicly revealed by the MILF on August 06 of that year.In the 3 week interval between the 2 dates the MILF was promising that Salamat would be attending the upcoming round of Talks in Malaysia.
On October 04, 2010,an all female NGO based in Aleosan,North Cotabato Province joined the afore mentioned IMT via the entity's CPC (Civil Protection Component).Led by 2 ex-nuns and calling itself the"Female Peace Corps,"it describes itself as"totally committed" to helping maintain the current Ceasefire."The 2 "ex-nuns,"Analiza Ugay formerly a Carmelite sister,and Adel Nayal,a sister in the Oblates of Notre Dame,remain committed while understanding that they may not get very much time to help given the issues related to the expiration of the IMT mandate.The CPC was an innovation of the post-2008 War meetings and was handed a mandate that asked constituent organisations to"provide a functional system and effective mechanisms for monitoring,verifying and reporting" on implementation and maintenance of the Ceasefire and pursuant requisites."In other words,very little work relating to civilians and a whole lot of work with combatants.Oh well,at least it was a great idea,right?
With the rapid pace of modern life I for one,always take comfort in life's constants.One case in point is the constant hypocrisy of the MILF.Here is an organisation that seriously demotes lifelong members who have contravened Rule#1,"No Philippine politics."That in itself might actually be understandable,and in the case of longtime MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu having gotten suspended for 6 months over doing just that,even welcomed... but then we see the MILF constantly engaging politicians and even actively campaigning for politicians that THEY feel will further the MIlF agenda.Supporting candidates is only the converse of denigration of candidates (denigration is something that the MILF has mastered).If one disdains politicking then one disdains ALL politicking.
Towards this end, Secretary of the Central Committee,Muhammad Ameen and Vice Chairman for Political Affairs,Ghazali Jafaar signed off on a memorandum distributed to all BIAF unit commanders with regard to the (then) upcoming synchronised Barangay and SK (Provincial Board) Elections.Dated October 01,2010,the memo said in no uncertain terms that there was to be absolutely no interaction with the election OR its candidates.It went so far as to prohibit even letting a candidate use one's vehicle.The memo went on to describe the Philippine democratic process, and Liberal Democracy in general in less than glowing terms:"The so-called Democratic process of choosing leaders is not only divisive, acrimonious and creates anomosity and intrigues,but it also failed miserably to produce the best qualified people to run their affairs [sic],and the consequence is a corrupt and strife torn society."
The same day that the afore mentioned memorandum was distributed the MILF once again warned the AFP about uncoordinated movements within MILF AOR.This has been a hot issue since July,2007 when 14 AFP Marines were mowed down in an ambush by the MILF 114 Base Commamd on Basilan Island.At the time the AFP had been moving heavily and frequently as it searched high and low for the kidnapped Irish priest, Father Michael Sinott.The elderly Columban Missionary had been abducted from the Columban compound in Pagadian City,across the strait from Basilan Island.The killing of those 14 Marines gained even more notariety when it was discovered that 10 of the Marines were decapitated after being shot to death.Of course,in order to preserve the mostly non-existent Ceasefire the government played ball when the MILF insisted that although the MILF DID mow those Marines down,somehow Abu Sayyaf guerillas had crept into the Kill Zone before the smoke cleared and sawed off 10 heads.Furthermore,the accepted narrative went,it was the Marines' fault for moving within an MILF/BIAF bailiwick without prior notification and
co-ordination (actually THAT issue is valid since the AFP is signatory to an Agreement in which they vow to notify and co-ordinate its movements in such areas).
In the end Fr.Sinott had never even been brought to Basilan.He had been taken by 113 Base Command on the Lanao del Norte/Zamboanga Peninsula Border,but that is another sordid tale.
The MILF concerns this time revolved around AFP Riverine Exercises in and around the rivers and mangroves of Kabuntulan,Maguindanao Province.Trying out those new Australian Air Boats (that were brilliantly offloaded in Polloc, Maguindanao (the ARMM Port...in BROAD DAYLIGHT) ended up having caused a coventional patrol craft to capsize off shore spilling its 4 man AFP crew.Luckily all 4 were rescued but an M60 (machinegun) was among the valuable gear lost.The MILF is correct to note that Special Forces in maneuver could very easily ignite a malestrom IF their presence and intent were never telegraphed to the MILF).
The next day, October 02,2010 in Barangay Nupo,Upi,Maguindanao Province the MILF dispatched a small delegation to the"Second Timfada Lumad"(Second Lumad Conference) sponsored by the local NGO,"TJG"(Timuay Justice and Governance). "Lumad" is the Cebuano (Bisaya) word that generically describes all Mindanowan (Mindanaon) animist tribes except Negritos.It is the local equivalent of the generic Tagalog word,"Igarot,"that is used to desribe Animists (except Negritos) on Luzon.This"Congress"only focuses on the Teduray,Lambangian and Dulangan Manobo Tribes,the 3 Animist tribes of Maguindanao Province.Lumad and Muslims have sometimes had an uneasy co-existence but more often than not muted animosity has exploded into outright violence (despite the propaganda of Muslim-Filipinos and their apologists).Indeed,it was the Teduray Tribe,1 of the 3 sponsoring this event,who initiated the Ilaga-Muslim War of the late 1960s/early 1970s but that deserves an entry all its own).
Much has been made about the Muslim-Filipino disregard for Lumads and the right of Lumads to control their own land.The MILF has been belatedly trying to rectify this huge public relations nightmare,ergo an MILF delegation at a minor Lumad gathering at a municipal gym,albeit with as about a minor a personage as one could find in the MILF,but at least they came...The "minor personage"?The MILF delegation was led by a former member of the MILF Peace Panel's TWG (Technical Working Group),Amor B.Pendaliday.
Mr.Pendaliday read a lengthly speech that he said had been authored by Chairman of the MILF Peace Panel Mohagher Iqbal (maybe he held the pen in his mouth),in which the main focus was what Pendaliday/Iqbal called,"4 Point Policy,"which I will resist describing for the sake of brevity (though I might elaborate upon it in a future entry).
Of course before both sides can begin to talk to each other,they need people to do the"talking."While the Philipine Government began empanelling its representatives in early July,just about 2 weeks after President Aquino was inagurated.On the flip side,the MILF did what it does best,it put a finger in each ear and tried to find an extra hand so that they could point a finger at someone else (really doesn't matter WHO,anyone will do in a pinch). Finally,as the nation waited with baited breath (hey,it COULD happen) the MILF finally deigned to reveal the names on their re-constituted Peace Panel:
Mohagher Iqbal, Chairman.
Datu Michael O.Mastura
Maulana"Bobby"Alonto
Datu Antonio Kinoc
Abdullah Camilan
Professor Abhoud Sweed (Syed) Linga.
No suprises there, indeed not even any new names since 2 of the 3 new people (Kinoc and Camilan) were long involved on the Technical end of the Process.The 3rd,Lingga,is a flunky who is moderately well known to observers for his involvement in very minor MILF entities.I will go into great depth when I devote an entire post to the MILF Panel.
The next day,September 14, 2010,OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process) Secretary Teresita Q.Deles announced that President Aquino had approved the blueprint for the latest Round of the GHP-MILF Peace Process,without elaborating as to what said blueprint will consist of.The decision came after Aquino met with Malaysian Foreign Minister,Dato Sri Hanifa HJ Aman.Ms.Deles made her remarks during a short speech at the Turn Over Ceremony for MinDA (Mindanao Development Authority).She also announced that the 2 sides plan to hold an informal get together sometime before December so as to iron out any large wrinkles ahead of formal resumption.When asked why it might take additional time before said resumption,in light of both sides having repeatedly vowed to implement resumption just after the end of Ramadan,Deles dropped the ball and said that they are now awaiting word from Malaysia,which as Facilitator of the Peace Process has the responsibility to set the date.
Speaking of MinDA,longtime Chairman Jesus Dureza,who concurrently served as Deles' predecessor as the last Secretary of OPAPP under the Arroyo Administration,handed over control of MinDA to old hand Luwalhati Antonino.Ms.Antonino,a native of Upi,Maguindanao Province (though in her day it was still a part of N.Cotabato Province) made her mark as one of the infamous"Tres Marias" (3 Marias).As the Congresswoman representing South Cotabato Province from 1992 to 2001,Ms.Antonino was an active opponent of the MILF (as well as the MNLF,as well as most anything Muslim).As the so called"Final Agreement" (aka "Jakarta Accorf of 1996") between the Philippine Government and the MNLF began shaping up in 1995 she joined together with 2 other female politicians who vehemently opposed any kind of settlement with Filipino-Muslims at the expence of non-Muslim Filipinos,Daisy Fuentes and the legendary,late Maria Clara Lobregat.
Along with her 2 contemporaries,Ms.Fuentes and the late Ms.Lobregat (mother of Mayor Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga City and at the time Mayor herself) Ms.Antonino did all that she could possibly do to mitigate the effects of Jakarta 96 (once the Agreement itself became inevitable). Though generally known as the "Tres Marias," the MILF (and most other Filipino-Muslims) referred to the trio as the,"Black Marias."It only took a few days for Secretary Antonino to run afoul of the MILF once again.The issue that caused the consternation? Ms.Antonino hand the gall to tell the media that the MILF's BADF (Bangsamoro Development Assistance Fund) was a product of the GPH-MILF Peace Process.That statement caused Chairman of the then newly re-constituted MILF Peace Panel Secretariat,Jun Mantawil to angrily point out that while the MILF's BDA (Bangsamoro Development Agency) WAS such a development,the BDAF was NOT. The BDA was created out of the (GPH-MILF) Tripoli 2001 Agreement (June 22, 2001) with the mandate to "determine, lead, and manage" relief,rehabilitation and development projects within the targeted area.On the other hand,the BDAF was created by virtue of Executive Order #872, by former-President Arroyo (March 16, 2010) as an implementation mechanism for the afore mentioned economic reforms that were to have been realised by Jakarta 96.Ergo the BDAF is MNLF-centric where as the BDA is MILF-centric.
Septmber 27,2010 saw the MILF jump into the fray surrounding the proposed"Pulangi V"hydro-electric project in Bukidnon Province.The"El Nino"-related drought that effected Mindanao in the Summer of 2010 severely limited the island's hydro-electric output.With 55% of Mindanao deriving its electricity from hydro-electricty,droughts can be catastrophic.How much more so when that 55% of the island relies on 2 plants?The 2 plants,Agus in Lanao del Sur and Pulangi in Bukidnon are in dire straits.For the sake of brevity I will desist from going into great detail, sufficient to say that even in the best of times these 2 plants are struggling.
There is,without an iota of doubt,an extremely pressing need for viable,sustainable energy sources.However,the proposed"Pulangi V"project would utilise a dam on the Upper Cotabato Basin that would flood roughly 32,000 hectares of land that composed 80% of a single CAD (Certificate of Ancestral Domain,a claim by a tribe on its historical, ancestral lands).Among these flooded lands would be the holiest shrine of most Manobo Tribes,a site also holy to other tribes as well.I plan to do an entry on the Pulangi Project as well as its dire ramifications in an entry on"Development Aggression."
With a new president comes a new Peace Panel and THIS Panel's Chairperson,Mario Victor"Marvic"Leonen naturally wants to prove himself capable.How does Mr.Leonen try to do this?He has taken aim at long time Facilitating Nation,the nation of Malaysia,by denigrating its long time representative,Datuk Othman bin 'Abd Razak.On November 16, 2010 the Philippines formally requested that Datuk Razak ("Datuk" is the Malay equivalent of the Southern Philippine title "Datu"),be replaced claiming that Razak had long exhibited a bias against the Philippines.The MILF Central Committee then passed a Resolution in which,aside from lauding Razak,asked Malaysia not to acede to GRP's demands.
Said Resolution was then concurred by the Chairman of the MILF,al Haj Murad Ebrahim.Leonen continued his personal crusade on a Manila radio station during an interview on November 20 where he said that aside from Othman's extreme bias against the Philippine Government he also has been more than a bit keen on taking credit for past GHP-MILF Agreements which contravenes the modus operandi of an effective Facilitator.More over says Leonen,an objective Facilitator would resign post haste upon learning that 1 or both parties he was facilitating had lost all confidence in him.Razak's reluctance to do so is proof positive of his lack of objectivity.
As this minor soap opera unfolded another avoidable snafu was taking place.Since mid-September the MILF has been up in arms about the IMT Programme.IMTs, or International Monitoring Teams,are a product of the 2002 phase of the GPH-MILF Peace Process.Currently with 39 people from 4 nations (Malaysia,which administers the programme overall has 20; Brunei,15;Libya,3 and Japan has a single representative) the programme functions as a Ceasefire Security Mechanism, to minimise the number of armed engagements between the MILF's armed wing,the BIAF (Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces) and the APF (Armed Forces of the Philippines).
Currently in its 5th deployment,the IMT's mandate is set to expire on February 28, 2011 despite the deployment having began on December 09, 2009 (though this disparity between"Mandate"and"Deployment"has led to controversy and confusion).Because Team deployments last only 12 months the nations involved had been set to withdraw their personnel on December 08, 2010.When the Philippine Government shrugged off its inertia and began to join the MILF in its request for an extension until at least February 28,the official termination date,the MILF suddenly lost interest and then took the opposite stance.The Philippine Government transmitted this request formally on Deceber 01 via a Note Verbale to the diplomatic missions of each of the 4 IMT nations.Finally the MILF"reluctantly agreed"to the same request,an extension until the official termination date via formal letters,from Chairman of the MILF Peace Panel,Mohagher Iqbal on December 03.
The MILF has been expressing concerns over the stated,and even more so,the unstated intentions of the UNWFP (UN World Food Programme) with regard to Ligusuan Marsh.On December 10,2010 the WFP (as it is known in shorthand) Deputy Director for the Philippines,Asaka Nyangara visited a WFP funded tree nursery in the town of Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao Province.The nursery which is equipped to raise 100,000 seedlings is primed to take part in a huge rehabilitation of Ligusuan Marsh.The wetlands span the provinces of North Cotabato,Maguindanao,Sultan Kudarat and Lanao del Sur Provinces and covers a total of 288,000 hectares.The MILF has been observing all the to do and rather quietly noting that the WFP whose primary mission is to provide food staples in extreme locations such as the conflict affected areas of Mindanao is now aiming to do a massive rehabilitation of an ecosystem.This ecosysten just happens to sit atop what some feel may be massive reserves of natural gas and oil.
On December 11,Secretary of the MILF's Central Committee Muhammad Ameen publicly asked why the WFP's envisioned rehab of the marsh was needed on such a grand scale?He also cautioned the UN to coordinate all activities within MILF AOR with the MILF itself.It was such lack of coordination that caused the 2003 GPH-MILF War (aka "Buliok Complex War") in and around that same marsh.
Since MILF founder Salamat Hashim died from natural causes in 2003 the organisation has been Chaired by al Haj Murad Ebrahim.Though Hashim was never one for the limelight he was a rock star compared to his successor,al Haj Murad. Ergo it is hard to discern fact from rumour with regard to reports that Murad is lying in a hospital bed in Malaysia's Sabah State.What is known for sure is that the reclusive leader had enjoyed an all expence paid junket to attend a conference sponsored by a Swiss NGO devoted to fair governance and independent judiciaries being held in Geneva,Switzerland from September 23 to September 28.Murad then travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Haj Pilgrimage (once again).It is believed, according to
IS-AFP (Military Intelligence), that he then travelled to Malaysia, on MILF business.While in Malaysia Murad is said to have made his way from Kuala Lampur to Sabah,which sits on the island of Borneo.It was in Sabah reports say that Murad suffered a massive stroke that as of December 03 has kept him confined to a hospital bed with half of his body paralysed.0f course the MILF is denying that its erstwhile leader is even ill but refuses to disclose his whereabouts,much less what has happened to him since al Haj (not Murad per se,but the Islamic Pilgrimage itself) ended roughly 2 months ago and Murad hasn't ben seen since. If the Intelligence Reports are accurate it would have catastrophic results for the GPH-MILF Peace Process.One should remember that founder Hashim Salamat died in the middle of July,2003 and his death was only publicly revealed by the MILF on August 06 of that year.In the 3 week interval between the 2 dates the MILF was promising that Salamat would be attending the upcoming round of Talks in Malaysia.
On October 04, 2010,an all female NGO based in Aleosan,North Cotabato Province joined the afore mentioned IMT via the entity's CPC (Civil Protection Component).Led by 2 ex-nuns and calling itself the"Female Peace Corps,"it describes itself as"totally committed" to helping maintain the current Ceasefire."The 2 "ex-nuns,"Analiza Ugay formerly a Carmelite sister,and Adel Nayal,a sister in the Oblates of Notre Dame,remain committed while understanding that they may not get very much time to help given the issues related to the expiration of the IMT mandate.The CPC was an innovation of the post-2008 War meetings and was handed a mandate that asked constituent organisations to"provide a functional system and effective mechanisms for monitoring,verifying and reporting" on implementation and maintenance of the Ceasefire and pursuant requisites."In other words,very little work relating to civilians and a whole lot of work with combatants.Oh well,at least it was a great idea,right?
With the rapid pace of modern life I for one,always take comfort in life's constants.One case in point is the constant hypocrisy of the MILF.Here is an organisation that seriously demotes lifelong members who have contravened Rule#1,"No Philippine politics."That in itself might actually be understandable,and in the case of longtime MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu having gotten suspended for 6 months over doing just that,even welcomed... but then we see the MILF constantly engaging politicians and even actively campaigning for politicians that THEY feel will further the MIlF agenda.Supporting candidates is only the converse of denigration of candidates (denigration is something that the MILF has mastered).If one disdains politicking then one disdains ALL politicking.
Towards this end, Secretary of the Central Committee,Muhammad Ameen and Vice Chairman for Political Affairs,Ghazali Jafaar signed off on a memorandum distributed to all BIAF unit commanders with regard to the (then) upcoming synchronised Barangay and SK (Provincial Board) Elections.Dated October 01,2010,the memo said in no uncertain terms that there was to be absolutely no interaction with the election OR its candidates.It went so far as to prohibit even letting a candidate use one's vehicle.The memo went on to describe the Philippine democratic process, and Liberal Democracy in general in less than glowing terms:"The so-called Democratic process of choosing leaders is not only divisive, acrimonious and creates anomosity and intrigues,but it also failed miserably to produce the best qualified people to run their affairs [sic],and the consequence is a corrupt and strife torn society."
The same day that the afore mentioned memorandum was distributed the MILF once again warned the AFP about uncoordinated movements within MILF AOR.This has been a hot issue since July,2007 when 14 AFP Marines were mowed down in an ambush by the MILF 114 Base Commamd on Basilan Island.At the time the AFP had been moving heavily and frequently as it searched high and low for the kidnapped Irish priest, Father Michael Sinott.The elderly Columban Missionary had been abducted from the Columban compound in Pagadian City,across the strait from Basilan Island.The killing of those 14 Marines gained even more notariety when it was discovered that 10 of the Marines were decapitated after being shot to death.Of course,in order to preserve the mostly non-existent Ceasefire the government played ball when the MILF insisted that although the MILF DID mow those Marines down,somehow Abu Sayyaf guerillas had crept into the Kill Zone before the smoke cleared and sawed off 10 heads.Furthermore,the accepted narrative went,it was the Marines' fault for moving within an MILF/BIAF bailiwick without prior notification and
co-ordination (actually THAT issue is valid since the AFP is signatory to an Agreement in which they vow to notify and co-ordinate its movements in such areas).
In the end Fr.Sinott had never even been brought to Basilan.He had been taken by 113 Base Command on the Lanao del Norte/Zamboanga Peninsula Border,but that is another sordid tale.
The MILF concerns this time revolved around AFP Riverine Exercises in and around the rivers and mangroves of Kabuntulan,Maguindanao Province.Trying out those new Australian Air Boats (that were brilliantly offloaded in Polloc, Maguindanao (the ARMM Port...in BROAD DAYLIGHT) ended up having caused a coventional patrol craft to capsize off shore spilling its 4 man AFP crew.Luckily all 4 were rescued but an M60 (machinegun) was among the valuable gear lost.The MILF is correct to note that Special Forces in maneuver could very easily ignite a malestrom IF their presence and intent were never telegraphed to the MILF).
The next day, October 02,2010 in Barangay Nupo,Upi,Maguindanao Province the MILF dispatched a small delegation to the"Second Timfada Lumad"(Second Lumad Conference) sponsored by the local NGO,"TJG"(Timuay Justice and Governance). "Lumad" is the Cebuano (Bisaya) word that generically describes all Mindanowan (Mindanaon) animist tribes except Negritos.It is the local equivalent of the generic Tagalog word,"Igarot,"that is used to desribe Animists (except Negritos) on Luzon.This"Congress"only focuses on the Teduray,Lambangian and Dulangan Manobo Tribes,the 3 Animist tribes of Maguindanao Province.Lumad and Muslims have sometimes had an uneasy co-existence but more often than not muted animosity has exploded into outright violence (despite the propaganda of Muslim-Filipinos and their apologists).Indeed,it was the Teduray Tribe,1 of the 3 sponsoring this event,who initiated the Ilaga-Muslim War of the late 1960s/early 1970s but that deserves an entry all its own).
Much has been made about the Muslim-Filipino disregard for Lumads and the right of Lumads to control their own land.The MILF has been belatedly trying to rectify this huge public relations nightmare,ergo an MILF delegation at a minor Lumad gathering at a municipal gym,albeit with as about a minor a personage as one could find in the MILF,but at least they came...The "minor personage"?The MILF delegation was led by a former member of the MILF Peace Panel's TWG (Technical Working Group),Amor B.Pendaliday.
Mr.Pendaliday read a lengthly speech that he said had been authored by Chairman of the MILF Peace Panel Mohagher Iqbal (maybe he held the pen in his mouth),in which the main focus was what Pendaliday/Iqbal called,"4 Point Policy,"which I will resist describing for the sake of brevity (though I might elaborate upon it in a future entry).
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