Not a far-fetched option

The Philippine government has started the extradition process against Filipino doctor Russell Salic who is facing prosecution for terrorism charges in the United States. Salic, along with two co-accused, was tagged on the thwarted jihadist plot targeting New York’s subway and Times Square last year. Salic was arrested in the Philippines in April 2017 and the US officially requested his extradition, the US Justice Department disclosed.

The US Justice Department statement revealed Salic, 37, was found to have transferred money to the other suspects for the operation. They were charged with involvement in the plan to carry out the attacks in the name of the Islamic State (IS) during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in 2016.

According to intelligence reports reaching the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Salic served as doctor who treated the Mautes wounded in battle with government forces. Salic supposedly surrendered to the counter-terrorism division of the Bureau of Immigration last April 7 after learning he was the subject of a warrant of arrest, which a Manila court issued based on an Interpol alert notice regarding his involvement with IS.

The US Justice Department statement further quoted messages sent by Salic to others involved in the plot in which he described terror laws in the Philippines as “not strict” in comparison to countries such as Australia and the UK. “Terrorists from all over the world usually come here as a breeding ground for terrorists... hahahaha... But no worry here in Philippines. They don’t care about IS... Only in west,” he added, according to the same statement. This boast by Salic that the Philippines is a “breeding ground for terrorist” did not sound new to me.

It was former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who first declared, “poverty is the breeding ground of terrorism” in the Philippines.

It was at a time when the Philippines just joined the “coalition of the willing” in 2003 upon the invitation of former US President George Bush whose administration coined it to refer to the countries which supported, militarily or politically the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and subsequent military presence in post-invasion Iraq.

The Philippines was subsequently granted the status of “non-NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) ally.” It is a designation given by the US government to its allied countries which have strategic working relationships with US Armed Forces but are not members of the NATO.

While still pounding the Malacañang beat a few years back, I distinctly recall a joint press conference of President Arroyo with then President Bush during her state visit in Washington. After their bilateral talks at the White House, I was given the opportunity to ask questions to both leaders. Quoting Mrs. Arroyo on her “poverty is the breeding ground of terrorism” statement, I asked Mr. Bush how the US government could help address this problem with the grant of “non-NATO ally” status to the Philippines. Mr. Bush retorted quickly: “I don’t think so because Osama bin Laden is not poor. He’s a millionaire!”

Mrs. Arroyo withdrew the 43-member Philippine humanitarian force from Iraq in mid-July 2004 not because of the repartee of Mr. Bush but as exchange for the safe release of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz who was held hostage by Iraqi forces. And the rest, as we say, is history.

Fast forward. President Rodrigo Duterte had to cut short his state visit to Moscow after the IS-inspired Maute terrorists laid siege in Marawi City last May 23.  The Mautes aided the Muslim bandit group Abu Sayyaf and publicly pledged allegiance to IS. It has been flying the black IS flags since they took over the city.

With the joining of forces of the Mautes and Abu Sayyaf group, led by Isnilon Hapilon, President Duterte declared martial law all over Mindanao to contain their threats to spread terror. Originally limited for 60 days only, the President extended martial law until the end of December this year.

When we were invited to a dinner meeting along with other newspaper columnists at Malacañang last Oct. 3, President Duterte updated us on the Maute siege that has caused so much casualties among civilians and government forces, not to mention the great damage to mosques and other buildings – both private and public. The President noted with concern the hundreds of families displaced who are now being temporarily housed in evacuation centers outside the main battle areas in Marawi City.

The Commander-in-chief disclosed the government forces are now in the winding down mode to flush out the remaining Mautes to start the rehabilitation of the war-torn Marawi City. Citing anew he is a Maranao by her maternal blood, President Duterte remains optimistic that his administration would be able to fully address the aspirations of the Filipino Muslims for a genuine Bangsamoro as a way to gaining enduring peace in Mindanao.

He counts support from chief allies leading the 17th Congress who both hail from Mindanao, namely, Senate president Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and House Speaker and Davao Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez. The President cited with satisfaction that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was already filed by the Speaker to jumpstart the legislative process. The BBL, he pointed out, is part of his administration’s advocacy for a shift to the federal system of government in our country.

The BBL, one of the priority bills of the Duterte administration, aims to implement the peace deal signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2014. 

President Duterte, however, frowned at the recommendation of former Supreme Court (SC) chief justice Reynato Puno to proceed first with Charter Change (Cha-cha) to set the federal system of government in place before Congress approves into law the BBL.

“I cannot go into Cha-cha without the BBL first,” President Duterte retorted. “Because how can you go on campaign if Moros won’t accept it (BBL),” he pointed out.

“Wary sila sa Congress. Ayaw nila sa Supreme Court. In fact, gusto nila martial law,” the President explained.

In obvious exasperation to the apprehensions raised to him by the Muslim leaders, the President quoted himself telling them: “Kung gusto n’yo revolutionary government!”

For President Duterte – who has been openly espousing for “revolutionary government” –  such rhetorical retort won’t be farfetched option.