Davide shuns ‘all-out-war’

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has opposed the idea of an all-out war against Moro rebels following their recent firefight with members of the elite police officers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Davide told reporters yesterday that an all-out war strategy is not the solution. “I’m against it. I’m not for it. We also have Christian (and Muslim) brothers in Mindanao.”

Sunday’s clash between the government’s Special Action Force and combined forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters resulted to the death of 44 policemen and five rebels.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada earlier resorted to an all-out war strategy against the Muslim rebels to solve the secessionist problem in Mindanao.

He, as quoted in a report of The STAR, said the killing of 49 policemen is just an indication that the rebels are not serious about ending the conflict in Mindanao.

But Davide is against the call as he also expressed support to the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

“We should not give up on the peace process. We should proceed with the peace process. We hope makab-ot nato ang kalinaw sa Mindanao,” Davide said.

Davide has directed the Provincial General Services Office to fly the flags at half-staff starting today in honor of the fallen policemen.

“Unfortunate kaayo ang nahitabo. We sympathize, we condole with the families,” the governor said.

President Benigno Aquino III has declared today as day of national mourning.  In a related development, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said BBL talks and the peace process should be set aside first with the death of the policemen.

Duterte, who was at the University of Cebu-Main Campus to talk about federalism, said there must be a full-blown investigation into the incident.

 “I deplore and I am appalled by the way our policemen were being treated. Hinubaran tapos pinagbabaril. Even in war, there are rules to follow,” Duterte said.

 Duterte added that somebody should be held accountable for the deaths of the 44 policemen.

 “There has to be justice. We would like to find out who are accountable on this. Somebody has to be accountable on this,” he said.

   Meanwhile, Kabataan Partylist Representative Terry Ridon said President Benigno Aquino’s absence at the arrival honors for the fallen SAF men “speaks volumes of the president’s lack of basic respect for his servicemen.”

Ridon, in a statement, said Aquino’s choice to instead head to the opening of a car factory in Sta. Rosa, Laguna showed “how little he cares for his uniformed personnel, who died in an encounter that he himself green-lighted.”

He said Aquino’s “cold, unfeeling heart cannot even sympathize briefly to the families of the fallen SAF officers.” This, he added, is despicable for someone who is the commander-in-chief.

“The president’s absence in today’s ceremony only heightens the people’s disgust in this spineless leader who let his own men go to battle for the sake of his own vanity, only to disown the whole plan and deny accountability in the end. Aquino’s presidency is yet another great tragedy for our nation, one that heightens our grief and transforms it into seething rage,” the statement said. — (FREEMAN)