Let us grieve for our loss of 44 lives. Some mistakes were undeniably committed, but by whom, and who started the whole mess, are yet to be investigated, hopefully by a neutral, independent body. To heal the wounds inflicted on the families of the slain soldiers will take a long time, if ever.
The bloody incident has made much of media to question the fate of the peace process.
And President Aquino and his subordinates are being blamed for the “misencounter” between the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
In fairness, let me quote an observer’s feelings about the situation.
“Let us assess well, think through, so we don’t misjudge badly and go by the raw emotions. Some definitely are using the situation to try and destroy or weaken us especially P-Noy. They will forget that in no time of history did a president devote so much resources to modernize the military and police because no president cared more for them. At the same time, he is pursuing for a sustainable peace after former President Fidel V. Ramos’ failed experiment with Misuari – hoping tens of thousands of Christian and Muslim lives can be spared from violent death with a rebellion that centuries could not stop. P-Noy is confronted by the accumulated sickness of history, the running total of all unresolved conflicts he did not cause. He did not go to the ceremonies marking the arrival of the caskets of the slain soldiers because of raw emotions even against him that he cannot promise to address, as war is what they want in revenge, war that will kill hundreds more policemen and military. He takes all the criticisms because he cannot give in to his rage at the death of his police and soldiers whom he had cared for more than anyone.”
I asked my husband, Saeed A. Daof, yesterday for his assessment of the situation, he having written numerous articles on the peace process. He said, “No amount of trauma healing on the part of those who lost their loved ones can be achieved immediately, and assurance of substantial financial support for those who lost their bread winners is necessary. Thus the demonstration of full cooperation by the MILF for the surrender and capture of wanted men is essential.”
At this point, said Saeed, “To provide better understanding and gain wide public support for the enactment of the BBL into law, I wish my Muslim brother MILF Chairman Ibrahim Murad and the rank-and-file MILF constituency will explicitly and publicly state that the GPH-MILF peace agreement is a piece of instrument that declares, recognizes and affirms the sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines, its territorial integrity and respect for the Philippine Constitution. Furthermore, I also wish that the MILF could also publicly state and affirm the renunciation of its secessionist stance and independence demand, among others. This, I believe, will allay the fear of the majority of our population about the possible decapitation of our country in the future.
“I also believe the President and Chairman Murad should find ways to strongly demonstrate that the government and the MILF are now working together as a team. I appeal to Brother Murad to welcome and allow government enforcement personnel to enter the MILF camps and headquarters without any restriction to demonstrate that indeed the peace accord that was signed last year is working and this will also demonstrate sincerity and transparency that they are not hiding any criminals in their camps.
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Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell hosted a journalists’ reception in his residence at North Forbes, Makati as part of the embassy’s celebration of Australia Day. He presented the state of relationship between Australia and the Philippines, and the diverse work being undertaken by Australia in this country.
There are approximately 200 Australian businesses operating in the Philippines, employing more than 15,000 Filipino staff. Majority of Australian businesses are in such areas as building and construction, mining and energy, professional services (banking and insurance), education, and food and beverage.
The two-way trade with the Philippines was valued at approximately A$43.9 billion in 2013-14, and Australia’s two-way investment relationship with the Philippines was valued at A$8.5 billion in 2013.
Tweddell said the strong Australia-Philippines partnership in development cooperation spans more than 50 years. Australia is currently one of the Philippines’ three largest bilateral grant aid donors. Australian aid to the Philippines has set out to improve the Philippine government’s development priorities to improve governance, combat corruption and reduce poverty.
Some milestones achieved during 2013-14 were the building of 1,540 classrooms and supporting the operations of 1,460 alternative community learning centers in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.
The ambassador said nearly a quarter of a million Filipinos have made Australia their home, and in 2012-13 the Philippines was the fifth largest source country for migrants to Australia (after New Zealand, India, China and the UK).
Students are increasingly looking to Australia as an education destination. “This is a wise choice as, in addition to the lifestyle benefits we offer to students, Australia has a world class education system and is ranked highly in worldwide academic research and development survey,” Tweddell said.
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Contestants from Tarlac and Bulacan won the championship in the National Bible Quiz 2015 (BQ 2015) grand finals. Erica Aurelle Arciga, 14, from Concepcion, Tarlac was declared champion in the junior level (ages 12-14), and Alexis John Caguingin, 16, champion in the senior level (ages 15-17). Other winners in the junior level are Natasha Gazelle Sico, 12, from Pangasinan, second prize; and Kate Lyka Eserio, 13, from Baguio city, third prize. In the senior level, John Clarence Pera, 17, from Quezon City won second prize, and Billy Joe Fortes, 16, from Isabela, third prize. There were 29 finalists from all over the country.
NBQ 2015 Chair Judge Benjamin D. Turgano said the NBQ ushered in National Bible Week (January 19-25). “The NBQ aims to raise awareness of Biblical truth among the youth and strengthen the conviction that God’s Word is the basic foundation of a happy and peaceful life in this world.”
The National Bible Quiz started in 1997 as part of the build-up activities for the celebration of the centennial of Methodism in the Philippines. It was proposed by Bishop Daniel C. Arichea, Jr., a Bible scholar more popularly known as “The Bible Doctor”, who served for many years as translation consultant of United Bible Societies, and president of the Board of Trustees of Philippine Bible Society.
NBQ 2015 had for its theme “Sharing God’s Word, Empowering the Poor, Transforming the Land,” which is also the theme for National Bible Week (NBW). NBW became a national event by virtue of Proclamation 1067, dated 26 August 1997, signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos.
The Philippine Bible Society is currently led by retired Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, chairman of the board, and Dr. Nora G. Lucero, general secretary. On the other hand, the UMC-Board of Christian Education and Discipleship is led by Dr. Gladys P. Mangiduyos, chairperson, and Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan, bishop-in-charge and president of the UMC College of Bishops. Phebe Gamata Crismo, BCED executive secretary, served as NBQ national coordinator.
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My email:dominitorrevillas@gmail.com