No Peace Plan for Mindanao

Out of the nine or so presidential aspirants in the coming May 10 national elections, none has so far come out with a definite platform on how to end the conflict in Muslim Mindanao. However, one of them, former president Joseph Estrada, already vowed to 'crack the whip' against any Moro movements that refuses to toe the line, as what he had done before he was unseated from Malacanang Palace, and also to legalize gambling, especially 'Jueteng' . Voters Dilemma

The Filipino electorates are cautious and apprehensive in participating in the coming elections. If not for the thought of being able to earn a fast take home pay from the candidates, many voters would perhaps prefer to stay home to avoid being involved in any untoward incident. It portrays how 'crocs' get elected, who have no qualms on where the money comes from - to buy their way to the position contested. Among the voters's dilemma include:

Will the polling place be safe for us electorates on election day?
Who would most likely be the ideal president under the circumstance?
What is the likelihood my vote will be counted in favor of the one I voted for?
How will I get the highest bidder since I've no assurance on who is the better candidate?
What is the assurance they would live to their election promises once elected?
Why do I have to expose myself to great risk in view of the above?

Candidates Optimism

My well-financed political platforms must be reaching the target grassroots effectively.
My campaign fund is assuredly enough to win votes being the higher bidder to rivals.
Have been assured of getting a million (additional) votes from the 'neo-Garcia' I have no doubt of winning the elections hands down.
Special arrangements to stuff-in own ballots into boxes before counting had already been settled with the security officers transporting the ballot boxes from remote areas.
If the EC haven't banned the “Hello Garci†policy from recurring, I already know how to benefit from it and am prepared to ‘call it all’ at whatever the asking price.
There has been incidence of the ‘birds & the bees' voting; now I can avail of that too?
I have always participated in the past elections although I know there has never been an honest one in the Philippines since time immemorial. But as an optimist, I always look forward to the 'miscounted votes' being credited in my favor.

On the issue of  proliferation of firearms and private army groups (PAG) which the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) admitted to have a total of 51 groups with a total of 4,337 'goons' in three regions of Mindanao only, all the 'presidentiables' unanimously vowed to dismantle them after they get elected. One of them also faulted the Defense Department for 'legalizing' the PAGs in the guise of anti-insurgency militia units.

As A Matter of Fact

Dismantling armed groups in Mindanao would not be as easy as pulling down New York's Twin Towers (WTC). Not only that it will cost the government a whooping over half-a-billion pesos to recover all the firearms, but at least a third of them would rather join any of the rebel armed groups than part with their weapon.

About Corruption

Since it has become the norm in the public outlook of Filipinos, corruption is becoming more and more widespread rather than being a controlled item. It already runs in the blood especially among politicians and civil servants. The appropriate term for the latter, due to the smaller volume usually involved, is 'red tape' . Hardly can anyone achieve something that is needed most in time unless the transaction is 'taped red'.

Amongst politicians, it seems already normal for them (up to 80% of elected officials) to indulge in corrupt practices for the simple reason that they bought their posts very expensively. They were not actually voted in, but they bought the voters' votes. Therefore, their first priority is to recover their election expenses. Towards the middle of their term in office, after the expenses have been recovered, their next target is to save as much as they can for the next election. Thus, economic and community developments are shelved to the minimum, in some cases NIL.

There may be an official watchdog (Anti-Corruption Agency) for the purpose, but it cannot function effectively as it also engage in the illegal trade. Not only that it also soaks its dirty hands in corruption, but also, to be fair, it has to start cleaning from the top to bottom. But the Agency cannot do that because the staff is beholden to those at the top and they have to protect their own goose that lay them golden eggs. Then who suffers is the bureaucracy. The country is among the riches in the region, but the economy is mismanaged and with corruption being the norm rather than the exception, Filipinos can only accept the harsh facts of reality, majority of whom live in abject poverty.

As a constituent part of the country, the Bangsamoro people cannot but exist with such harsh facts of reality too. So, if the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have to put up a strong position to achieve a meaningful political self-determination in Muslim Mindanao, rather than to remain totally under the Philippine colonial administration, that is the least they can do for the good of Muslims and Islam in that part of the world. Under the current circumstances, Muslim Mindanao is no more than a milking cow of the Republic, getting only a meager portion in return that can not even satisfy the lust of those enjoying the good graces of Malacanang Palace. /zba

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites