The reaction of our people relative to the massacre of our PNP special action forces in Maguindanao is understandable, a normal reaction of “all out war” against those identified we call break-away groups of these Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Forty-four specially-trained police force, the elite group of fighting men of the Philippine National Police lost their lives in this mission to arrest two international terrorists – Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan” and a Filipino Abdul Basit Usman. It is the highest death toll in a – single encounter in recent history of the country’s security forces. Marwan is a member of the central command of the Indonesia-based terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah. He was suspected to have been behind the bombings in the country and other parts of the world.
So “all- out war” against Muslim rebels would be the right response? That’s fair, it seems. However, we have to wait for the decision of the national leadership. “All -out war” was implemented by deposed President Erap Estrada in his time but it created tremendous damage to our peace-loving innocent countrymen, what is worse is peace and order remained elusive. It is therefore proper that a better strategy be employed. One of which is Congress should pass the Bangsa Moro Basic Law soonest albeit a review and further study of its provisions should be done to faithfully fit in into our long-desired unification with Muslims to become active participants in national development and eventually be beneficiaries in the implementation of our national vision for complete peace and progress of all.
