The “hawks “agitating for an all-out war against the Muslim secessionist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
in Mindanao should reconsider their stand.
The lessons of Jolo, Sulu should remind us those violent confrontations such as armed conflict produces neither winners nor losers. There is only loss of lives, damage to properties, displaced
families and homes and other collateral damages.
On February 7, 1974, the capital town of Jolo, Sulu was almost wiped out, burned to the ground as a result of a full scale war waged by the dictator Marcos against the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who were then fighting for a separate
Muslim state in Mindanao.
WAR CLOUDS: In recent days, hostilities erupted in the provinces of Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay and Lanao del Norte
as clashes between government forces and Muslim rebels and other groups resulted to hundreds of fatalities and as of press time, some 30,000 fleeing their homes to escape the fighting and cross fires.
The massacre of 19 Special forces soldiers in Albarca town of Basilan has spawned fears of a new Mindanao war reminiscent of the 1970s fighting between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Now it’s the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that has since replaced the MNLF in pushing through a Bangsa Moro entity in the South. Bangsa Moro means a Moro Homeland as envisioned by the MNLF and is mainly composed of Maranaos, Maguindanaoans and the Tausugs within the Mindanao provinces.
While there are ongoing peace talks and ceasefire in effect between the government and MILF, the recent renewed fighting and the resulting air strikes and ground assault conducted in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay against bandits and MILF lost commands have only strengthened belief that indeed there already exists a “de facto “ state of war in the South.
Basilan, where humiliating defeats of the armed forces have resulted in many losses of lives among its soldiers may yet become another Jolo, Sulu. God forbid that Basilan does not suffer the
same fate as its neighboring island province.
At least three Philippines presidents have espoused different policies in regards to the long standing conflict in Mindanao.
President Joseph “Erap “ Estrada had promised to wipe out the MILF through his “All out War “ when it launched a major attack on Camp Abubakar, long regarded as the symbol of military strength of the MILF and destroyed it completely. They even emphatically dramatized the conquest by feasting on roasted pig
“lechon “on the ruined premises, a big insult among Muslims.
Gloria Arroyo Macapagal made “all out Peace “stance by renewing stalled peace talks with the rebels but in so doing
almost gave away the whole of Mindanao were if not for the Supreme Court ruling stopping such clause in the peace agreement.
Now President Noynoy Aquino has coined “An All Out Justice “ campaign designed to flush out and arrest lawless elements and other rebel lost commands responsible for the deaths of the soldiers while at the same time preserving the peace talks with the MILF.
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A SINGING GEM : MAY BE THE NEXT LEA SALONGA: There is an over abundance of singing talents here in the Filipino community but there are only a few who we can consider as “precious gems “.
One such exceptional or phenomenal star potential is 10 year-old
Martina Ortiz Luis of Newmarket, now a very sought after
singer but believe me, she is no ordinary warbler. She may be the next Lea Salonga and perhaps may soon conquer Broadway in the years to come.
The bloodlines tell us so. She is a granddaughter of the legendary
Sylvia La Torre , that popular singer and actress of the 1950s and 60s.
Martina stole the show in last October 28 comeback concert of Emiline Cruz at the Rembrandt under the auspices of Umac of Larry Baguiza and Joseph Alillio and Forex.
Her rendition of Charles Strouse`s `Tomorrow `from the hit musical Ànnie “held the audience in awe with her clear vocals and impeccable diction that only a seasoned singer can deliver.
Not much surprise since she started singing at the age of 2 years old and won a major singing contest at the York Region talent search at age 5 years old. Yes, it was “Tomorrow `that catapulted her first big win as champion of the York Region.
She has also done Les Miserables and really at home at Broadway style musicals. Add to that, she plays the violin.
Just how much she is indeed in great demand was her Mom’s (Merj Ortiz Luis)announcement that she was invited to perform at the Mistletoe event at the Four Seasons hotel on Dec.3
upon the invitation of Paul Godffrey, publisher of the Toronto Sun . The event is for the Herbie Fund for the Sick Kids Hospital of Toronto.
Today Toronto, TOMORROW Broadway !
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REMEMBRANCES: The National Union of Journalist (NUJP)Canada chapter and the National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC)Canada are joining hands to commemorate the 2nd death anniversary of the 32 Journalists who perished in the infamous Maguindanao Massacre of Nov.23 with candlelight
Ceremony, on November 19.2011 at the OPSEU building at Wellesley street starting at 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
Edwin Mercurio, chapter secretary general, said it will also be a prayer for Peace in Mindanao in the light of recent developments in the region.
He said it will be a very simple but solemn ceremony to remember the plight of the everyday journalist who ply their trade with dedication despite the hazards and risk they face just to bring out the news and the truth to the reading public.