The Zamboanga incursion by the Moro National Liberation Front is now well on its second week…and the military is fast learning how difficult urban warfare is because of the presence of innocent civilians which, often in the case of Zamboanga, are also supporting the Muslim cause, while the Christians feel helpless, especially those that were taken hostage.
But while Zamboanga was burning, the MNLF also fought soldiers in Basilan where firefights have occurred, forcing another set of evacuations in that island. But what is worrisome is that, terrorism has struck also in Davao City when bombs were exploded in SM Cinema 1 and in Gaisano Mall's Cinema 5. Thankfully, there were no fatalities, with only five injured. So now even peaceful Davao City is under a new state of alert. But the MNLF denied that they had something to do with this bombing. So if the MNLF were not involved in this bombing, then who did it?
Pundits are quick to say that this bombing was probably linked to the biggest news that the P10-billion scam has now resulted in the indictment of three Senators and 38 people, including former members of Congress. Frankly speaking, I don't believe that these incidents were "diversionary tactics". What is happening in Mindanao is a result of a bungled diplomacy by the peace process advisers of Pres. Benigno "PNoy" Aquino, III.
Again let me point out that for peace to flourish in Minda-nao, all armed separatist groups must be brought into the peace talks. Something that the Aquino Presidency totally ignored despite our pleas to include the MNLF. Clearly this incident proves that Pres. Aquino was badly advised on their road to the peace process. He must fire those peace advisers of his and start anew after the military neutralizes the threat by the MNLF.
Actually the big breaking news is about the dramatic events in the nation's capital where Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Bong Revilla and two former Congressmen were charged with plunder for the pork barrel scandal together with Janet Lim Napoles, including Jessica "Gigi" Reyes Chief of Staff of Sen. Enrile and 38 other people who are part of the bogus NGO's involved in this scam.
This gave me a sense of déjà vu where I thought that Sen. Enrile would have been jailed after the Marcos Dictatorship was removed in the aftermath of the EDSA People's Power Revolt. But as I wrote earlier…we removed Ali Baba, but failed to remove the 40 thieves. So will we see the rest of the year 2013 and 2014 watching court hearings of the accused?
Meanwhile,I do agree with the statement of former Minority Leader Sen. Enrile that this charge against him is incomplete. We'd like to know when the Sandiganbayan will order their arrest. Yes, I too would like to know why the case that was filed was only for the years 2007 to 2009…why isn't there any investigations from 2009 to 2012?
Call it lucky for me that chairwoman Grace Pulido Tan of the Commission on Audit was a guest of Karen Davila in ANC yesterday morning and she insisted that her report was complete against the first three senators. Doesn't this woman understand what complete is? Where's the audit for the years 2010 to 2012 or to make it totally complete, I'd like to see the COA audit Sen. Enrile from the time he became a Senator?
When she was asked about the President's Social Fund, which she says came from Pagcor…she insisted that it is not the same as Pork Barrel. There we go again…the COA chairwoman trying to clear the president's name. At the end of that interview Ms. Pulido Tan told Karen that the president is not her "boss" but they are answerable to the Filipino people. Perhaps she is saying it because she was on nationwide television. But here in Cebu City, we cannot even get an interview of the COA regional head. I hope things would change because of this celebrated case.
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I went to St. Peter's Mortuary in Imus New Road to pay my last respects to a good friend, Robert "Bob" Kahler who succumbed to cancer. I met him last August 18 when the Cebu Pistol & Rifle Association invited us, the original members of formed CPRA way back in the early 80s. I was glad that we held that reunion so we could meet with old friends and Bob was one of those we wanted to meet because we knew he had the Big "C". But then God had other plans for Bob and he has gone to the great beyond.
As I was about to leave St. Peter's, I wanted to know whether the body of slain Jesse Tabanao was also placed there. But instead, I saw a familiar name of a friend who was our barkada during our college days. Curious, I went inside the chapel to look inside the casket…and true enough, my good friend, Mr. Cyril Tubongbanua was lying there. He died last Saturday of a heart attack. Wow! 2013 is one year that a lot of my friends went to the great beyond. May we ask our pious readers to please pray for the repose of their souls?
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Email: vsbobita@gmail.com.