Alter-Ego

The recent carnage involving 66 or so members of the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and some civilians had demonstrated two very critical revelations; it challenge the sincerity of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and it illuminates ineptitude in the Philippine government. The incident at Mamasapano, Maguindanao and the surrounding circumstances that leads to its occurrence pointed to the undeniable reality that the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) is an Alter-ego of the MILF.

One relevant aspect of the MILF/ GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) agreement is the required notification or coordination with the peace panel before conducting military or police operation.  The glaring drawback in this arrangement is the loss of the element of surprise, which is a crucial and an imperative factor towards success. It is a common knowledge in the military and police circle that most of the MILF and BIFF members are related or inter-related either by blood or by clan connection. Even the head of the MILF is constantly in public admission of this fact. Hence, it is likely that any information about an operation prematurely revealed for clearance by the peace panel would eventually reach the MILF/BIFF field personnel, enabling them to prepare or even hide the fugitives they are harboring by reason of kinship or tactical necessity. This belief is strengthened by the fact that the MILF camp and the BIFF camp are in close proximity with each other.  Such is the case, the Philippine government forces will always be in the balancing act and constant state of reluctance, for fear of themselves violating the ceasefire agreement while in pursuit of outlaws through inadvertent encroachment in prohibited MILF territory, which is also and not by coincidence a BIFF territory. Given the situation, it is now pronounced and even clear that the MILF camp is in effect, and may actually be a buffer zone for the BIFF camp (The BIFF is described as a splinter/ renegade group from the MILF, and are considered to be terrorist by western definition, and is therefore the subject of perpetual military operation.)

The foregoing suggest that the MILF had transcended from an armed group into a political arm, while the BIFF had discreetly assumed the function of a military arm in an obvious unholy alliance. The division or perceive distinction may actually be a designed machination from day one to dupe the GRP with the aim of eventually establishing a separate and independent islamic state, rather than merely exercising autonomy and self rule. Notwithstanding, is the enormous power the GRP is already prepared to bestow on the MILF leadership, that may include arms procurement for its own police and security force, money and wealth sharing, and the possibility of directly engaging foreigners in the exploitation and transfer of natural resources, circumventing and by passing the Philippine constitutional limitations. The conspiracy has become evident after the Maguindanao butchery, where there was absence of good faith or tokens of sincerity that is supposed to be expressed in the light of the renewed alliance with the GRP in the form of a treaty. That is to say the least, the MILF should not have participated in the slaughter. They should have prevented the robbery of the police equipment and weaponry. They should have taken custody of the equipments for surrender to GRP authorities. They should not have allowed the mutilation of the dead bodies (evidence and witnesses attested that victims were shot at close range and hacked post mortem). There were no after incident gestures to that effect. If indeed a mistake (misencounter) was committed, it becomes incumbent upon the MILF as a treaty partner to discharge its end of the responsibility that calls for the exercise of essential rectifying actions at the scene, including the nurturing of the wounded. True partnership demands just that. On the contrary, the scenes from the pictures and videos were characterized by so much treachery, abuse, savagery and hatred. So far, what we have heard from the MILF leaderships were litanies that, “they did (PNP) nor coordinated their action”. The MILF should answer more other than those litanies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&x-yt-cl=84503534&v=POB-cUkPoxk&x-yt-ts=1421914688 (This link is graphic and should not be watched by sensitive individuals or below 21 years of age. This link is provided to dramatize the atrocities of the MILF/BIFF only and not for any other reason.)

It seems that the GRP was taken by the nose and tail by allowing itself to believe that the MILF had disarmed, and the BIFF is just a renegade and distinct group. It’s a no brainer; these guys are one and the same. One may argue against this point of view, but the evidence always speaks for itself as the tree is told by its fruits. The GRP must revisit the terms of the agreement against the actual and prevailing circumstances and possibly re evaluate the excessive power that the MILF may be able to wield, before the enabling law is enacted. Otherwise, the GRP may run the risk of being a party to the mutilation of Mindanao.

Visit also related post:
http://thefourthperspective.blogspot.com/2013/09/affairs-with-rebels.html