August 24, 2008 | 12:00am
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front does not have to be classified by a foreign government as a terrorist group for its members to face laws against terrorism in the Philippines. There is a law that took effect last year, clearly defining the offenses that constitute terrorism. Arson, kidnapping, hostage taking and the murder of scores of non-combatants, all meant to sow terror in several communities in the provinces of North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Sarangani, fall under the offenses covered by Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007.
Over a year after RA 9372 took effect, authorities have been reluctant to apply the law, which leaves no margin for error on the part of law enforcers. But there can be no mistake in applying the law on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front commanders responsible for recent atrocities that targeted civilians in Mindanao. Those atrocities, including the use of improvised land mines that are banned around the world, cannot possibly be in furtherance of rebellion. And if that is the way the MILF works for peace, what it wants is the peace of the damned.
The New People’s Army and the Abu Sayyaf have been classified as foreign terrorist organizations by the United States and European countries. The inclusion of the Abu Sayyaf is expected, but why the NPA and not the MILF? Because the NPA assassinated an American military officer while the MILF leadership is discussing peace — or at least making a show of it — with US diplomats. Also, the Arroyo administration, which resurrected the moribund MILF from the rubble of Camp Abubakar so a peace pact might be trotted out one day, has refrained from endorsing the inclusion of the MILF in the US list of foreign terrorist organizations.
But now there is a law that must be enforced, and the atrocities committed by the MILF are clear violations of that law. With over 40 people dead, the government must dispel perceptions that laws in this country are nothing but empty threats.
