The waiting game

The country awaits the solution to two compelling issues of the day. The first issue being the Zamboanga crisis and the second is the action the President will take against the plunder cases filed on Napoles and company.

In the Zamboanga siege, the President as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines took the lead in the negotiating table. But did they negotiate with the ‘real’ representatives of the Bangsamoro? I still feel that the tragic events that led to too many deaths last week in Zamboanga were caused by the Misuari faction and some other sinister groups that decided to tag along. Again this wasn’t a real war. Its cause was to bully the military and to show us that they are wiser and better, that they reign supreme in war. But the President bit the carrot they dangled. And I’m not sure if this was a good decision on his part.

According to the Philippine Star news report, authorities have already filed charges of rebellion and crimes against International Humanitarian Law under Republic Act 9851 at the prosecutor’s office in Zamboanga City against Habier Malik, Asamin Hussin, Bas Arki and Handji Ami Adjirin. Well, our AFP groups better show us their might and their force. If they cannot succeed in this little urban warfare and capturing those rebels then we’re doomed. We might also lose our islands in the West Philippine Sea.

Adding fuel to the fire is Nur Misuari, the founding chairman who has disowned the action of his men. I really don’t get his drift. What a nuisance! I can’t quite seem to remove the thought that he was probably paid by some bigwig to distract us from the Napoles issue. His reputation has been questionable all these years. Susmariosep!

We must not forget who Misuari is and how he came to be. GMA during her time gave him an inflated sense of his own self-importance when she, early in her presidency, named Misuari our Philippine Ambassador to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). How can that happen when he was there talking against us, not for us, yet, we gave him the country’s diplomatic credentials. La Gloria even tried to find an excuse for not blaming this man for the defection of his MNLF from the peace circle and its renewed drive for a separate Bangsamoro Republic.

When Nur Misuari was governor of the ARMM (supposedly a gift from former President Fidel V. Ramos) he did nothing. He was worse than a poor governor. His home province of Sulu saw no improvement neither did Maguindanao, Tawi-Tawi or Lanao Del Sur.

And when he saw his power ebbing, with the ARMM elections in 2001, he unleashed his MNLF followers against several army posts. But the attacks failed. Misuari fled and was nabbed by the Malaysians while trying to sneak into Sabah or Labuan.

Misuari was feared at that time because he had money – I suppose our tax money. Reports say that the Philippine government then, gave him more than P30 billion. I guess it was to keep him happy and quiet.

This urban warfare has brought the President himself in the negotiating table. I thought he created the peace committee and sent Secretary Mar Roxas to lead the team. Why is he spending too much time down there? Doesn’t he trust the DILG secretary? Is he worried that Vice President Binay might bungle up things? He must not forget that he is the president of the country and he has other matters of top concern to attend to in Malacañang. He cannot afford to put himself in such a dangerous situation either. Reminds me of his behavior during his first inauguration ceremony when he wanted and demanded that he stop at every red stoplight in town. Sanamagan! I really can’t make heads or tails of his decisions! 

This may be a mean thing to ask but is the president using this Zambo crisis as a cover up to avoid the Napoles issue? Do they think his being there will divert full national attention to the area? So, what about the greatest conspiracy of all times that has been devouring what is left of the moral fiber of this nation? Shouldn’t he also get to the bottom of it and show us his sincere concern? I thought corruption was his topmost priority.

A few weeks back, we saw Secretary Mar Roxas on top of the Napoles issue. Why did he all of a sudden drop it like a hot potato? He must have gotten peeved or too sensitive about the jokes going around the social web. As for the President, at first he seemed adamant about the whole issue. But when a picture of him and Jean Napoles surfaced, he became silent. If my reading is not accurate, then, why not show the people that you are not going to stop until justice is served Mr. President?

What about the Bureau of Customs corruption issue? Other than the ongoing revamp in the agency commissioners that placed retired AFP chief Jessie Dellosa as Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Enforcement with quite a few who have been recommended by PNP Chief Purisima nothing much has been reported on the supposedly corrupt practices happening within the agency. And mind you the corruption in this bureau is also very bad. It seems so quiet in the BOC home front. Who are the big fishes behind the BOC? Are these fishes too big to catch? In my opinion no one is too big. Well, these people will definitely have their own day in court. Just wait and see.

P-Noy must show us more dedication to country. He must show us that he is not becoming a lame duck president. Get things done the right way. Don’t be too political in your moves! Don’t go into hiding. Batman faced the horror of defending Gotham city alone and oh, I shouldn’t forget to mention that Robin his sidekick was always behind him.