The Philippines is in deep mourning. Flying the national flag at half-mast, declaring a National Day of Mourning, and tending to the financial needs of the widows of forty-four slain highly-trained policemen are not enough to quell the pain, silence the doubts, and restore normalcy across all levels of Philippine society. We are in pain.
A month ago, such a tragic encounter between police operatives and Moro rebel forces was unimaginable. Everyone was busy: Pope Francis had just concluded a successful evangelical visit, preparations for the forthcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit were in full-swing, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had initiated the formation of its own political party in anticipation of the 2015 plebiscite and the 2016 first regional Bangsamoro elections, secure in their belief that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law shall soon be passed into law. The Philippine National Police was busy with the usual peace and order problems as well as encounters with communist insurgents. In Mindanao, peace was holding. The Senate and House hearings on the proposed law were on track.
Then, on a quiet Sunday last Jan. 25, came the breaking news: A long-drawn gunbattle broke out when the special action forces of the national police entered the Moro community of Mamasapano to seize two international terrorists. The policemen were outnumbered and out powered by the men and guns of combined armed groups composed mainly of the Bangsamoro Independent Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The first target was killed; the second was able to escape. Unfortunately, among the casualties were the brave policemen that endured 11 hours of gunbattle only to be left for dead in a bloody cornfield.
With their deaths, a new constituency was awakened: Many citizens who before the carnage in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, were not proactively concerned with the contents of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, are now speaking up against the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). Their basis? In a single word: Trust. They ask: How can we trust the Moro Islamic Liberation Front with the mandate to govern when they took part in the massacre of the forty-four Special Action Forces (SAF) policemen? Amid this searing public debate, the Moros countered: “Why was there no coordination considering that there are ceasefire mechanisms in place?”
The lack of coordination within the Philippine National Police and Department of Interior and Local Governments, and outwardly, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the local government as well as joint peace monitors, is now the subject of intense legislative inquiries. President Aquino, in his address to the nation, admitted knowing about the plan to capture “Marwan,” a notorious Malaysian terrorist, which was actively discussed in his presence prior to its execution by suspended PNP Chief Alan Purisima. Aquino has been forthright in admitting his long friendship with Purisima. However, he said that there were telltale signs that the operations should have been aborted by the SAF’s ground commander when the original design of the plan was no longer tenable due to strong river currents, lack of coordination, and other critical factors.
Enraged citizens regardless of religious belief, are entitled to ask, who should be held accountable? What will happen to the BBL? When asked about its passage, legislators are quick to retort, “Not now.” Is there and should there even a Plan B? Amid this interregnum, how do we keep hopes for peace alive? So many questions, amid so much pain. Trust begets peace. We solemnly pray for both.
