EDITORIAL - The weak republic

If you can’t beat them, grant them amnesty. That’s how a weak republic deals with a group whose principal activities since its creation have been banditry and terrorism. The Abu Sayyaf first gained notoriety when it raided the town of Ipil in Zamboanga del Sur in April 1995. Over 50 people were killed when the bandits pillaged and then burned down the town center. The group has changed little since then.

The Abu Sayyaf goes after civilians and “soft” targets, with particular preference for Christian missionaries, priests, teachers, churches and schools. The education of a generation of children in Basilan and Sulu has been disrupted by Abu Sayyaf attacks. The group has a predilection for torturing, mutilating and decapitating its victims – sometimes on videotape, which the group’s accomplices try to peddle to news organizations. In one of their capers, the bandits lopped off the breasts of their hostages. They tore off the fingernails of captive priest Rhoel Gallardo, then dragged him across the jungle until he bled to death. What twisted cause can such atrocities possibly serve?

In recent years the group has focused on fund-raising through kidnapping and extortion. Those capers destroyed the tourism industry in several provinces for up to two years and scared away investors. Later, as Abu Sayyaf leaders were captured or killed, those left behind teamed up with Jemaah Islamiyah and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, bombing the Davao International Airport and killing 21 people in 2003, then bombing the SuperFerry 14 a year later, leaving over a hundred dead or missing.

Now, we are told, some Abu Sayyaf members are old and tired and would want to rejoin the social mainstream, preferably with livelihood assistance courtesy of Philippine taxpayers. After having their fun, they want a peaceful retirement, and the government is seriously considering the proposal.

What do the relatives of the hundreds of victims of rape, arson, kidnapping, torture, mutilation and murder think about that? Before anyone takes pity on the arthritic militants who are growing too old for murder and mayhem, someone should first pay attention to those who are clamoring for justice and the rule of law. Even Islamic groups have condemned the activities of the Abu Sayyaf. That amnesty proposal belongs to the garbage heap. This group represents no ideology or religion and must be eliminated.