MANILA, Philippines - The continuing skirmishes between the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have been causing untold sufferings among civilians many of whom are simple farmers earning just enough for subsistence. The conflicts have forced not a few children from going to school while many families have to uproot themselves from their settlements to go to safer grounds.
This condition is vicious. Rogue elements of the secessionist fronts which had pillage remote barangays in Lanao, North Cotabato and Sarangani during the height of controversy over the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain have been pursued by the military. As they elude the troops, they seek shelter in civilian communities who are helpless against the fully armed rebels. When armed confrontation happens the poor farmers are being used as virtual shield. As a result, they too become the casualties of war.
Situation like this should not just be dismissed casually as “collateral damage”. The MILF harnesses civilian casualties as propaganda against the military. But having used civilians as shields against military action is despicable. Neither side can wash their hands. And this brutalities and harassments on the civilians should never be condoned.
If the MILF and the government cannot meet and revive the peace talks, they ought to delineate their zones of war from the zones of peace. For what use is the ceasefire if the movement of troops continue unabated and innocent civilians are drawn into the savagery of war.
The government has formally informed Kuala Lumpur that it is prepared to resume the peace talks. KL as mediator has announced that it is ready with its task to mediate. But the MILF is hedging and while hedging some of its troops are stealthily moving in areas where they ought not trek on. For as long as this atmosphere of hostility persists how can we live in an atmosphere of hope? — RINA DE JESUS