“My very first meeting
with the leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front happened because Japan
opened its doors to us in a very, very short notice. They provided an environment where both sides
could see the sincerity of their dialogue partners. This was a breakthrough in the peace process
which we thought had reached a deadlock.
Now, we are determined to get the BBL passed in Congress, which will be
a major step in freeing thousands of our countrymen from the shackles of
conflict and in attaining lasting peace and prosperity in the autonomous
region.” (B.S. Aquino III speech at
Nikkei, Tokyo, Japan, 3 June 2015)
Who on earth does not want to know the truth but instead prefers
to live in a lie, to wallow in falsity, to wade in hypocrisy? What kind of individuals are those who love
injustice, who idolize inequity? Who are
those people who cherish war instead of peace, who thrive in killing others
rather than protecting their lives? When
they are identified, it is not unkind to say that they are neither truly human,
much less really humane. They are thus a
danger to everybody, to all – themselves included.
So is it that the quest for peace in Mindanao is not only
something right but praiseworthy and sacred even. In the same way, the passage of a law that
will promote truth, establish justice and disseminate peace in the said region
is certainly in order not only as an option but also as an urgent
imperative. If then and now Mindanao is
still Mindanao, it is precisely on account of the absence of peace, the
illusiveness of justice, the concealment of truth therein. What a legacy to the Country such would be!
Now it is public knowledge – through the revelation of none
other than the Malacañang resident himself – that it was Japan that in effect
moved and had the “Peace Talk” initiated between the Malacañang occupant and
the MILF. But the truly sad reality is
that the legislation now being ardently proposed by the same personality and
his minions in terms of the so-called “Bangsamoro
Basic Law” (BBL) is in effect
even causing a deep and bitter division – not to mention downright suspicion –
in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Not only that.
Strange but true: The Malacañang nurtured vision expressed in a proposed
legislation is even causing not only division but also animosity in Mindanao
itself. In the same way, the same legislative
undertaking is furthermore dividing even a good number of people in Luzon and
in the Visayas. Something must be
intrinsically unfair and unacceptable in the now infamous contemplated “BBL”.
It even went to the extent that an envisioned legislation for peace
needed nothing less than the establishment of a so-called “Peace Council”. Strange but
true.
“A breakthrough in the
peace process” – thus spoke someone about something that is precisely
bringing about the noted renewal of dissent and consequent revival of disunity
in the place concerned. it is not really
that hard to conclude whose thinking is flawed, whose consequent options are
questionable in nature and consequences.
