Erap calls anew for all-out war in Mindanao

Former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada yesterday expressed doubts on the sincerity of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), asking if the secessionist group is engaging the government for peace or is just after funds to boost its forces.

Speaking before the oath taking of dentistry board passers at the Manila Hotel yesterday, Estrada said that while he is hoping that the government could still weave a strong peace pact with the MILF and other Muslim groups, he cautioned the administration to look deeper into the intent of the latter citing past failed efforts to seal peace agreements with them.

“Is theirs (MILF and other groups) and agenda for lasting peace or an agenda to get a budget from the national government from which they can strengthen their forces?” Estrada said.

Before his ouster from presidency in 2001, Estrada waged an all- out war against the MILF leading to the capture of Camp Abubakar, the MILF headquarters and 13 other major camps and 43 minor camps.

Estrada again emphasized that an all- out war would be the best way to pacify the Muslim groups after several years of trying to forge peace agreements that were never successful.

“When I was President, we pursued numerous peace talks which lapsed into a disgusting cycle of peace talk and ceasefire, which eventually resulted again in fighting. And if ever we are able to forge a Bangsamoro Basic Law or sub-state, or an autonomous territory with the MILF, we will again have to deal with the BIFF and other splinter groups that may rise, just like the MILF growing out from the MNLF?” Estrada said.

“I was roundly criticized for my allout war policy when I was President. Let me emphasize that like everyone, my objective was peace – honorable and lasting peace – but on our terms,” he added.

Estrada also noted the circus-like investigation on the deadly operation in Maguindanao last month.

He said the government must learn its lesson from the incident.

The former President cited over 120, 000 casualties from 1975 top 2000 have been recorded from the government’s pursuit of peace with Muslim groups. He also cited a report from the office of the presidential adviser on the peace process that accounted revenue losses in Mindanao on the same years that ranged from ₱5 to ₱ 10 billion annually or a total of ₱ 270 billion.

“We made peace with the MNLF which resulted in the establishment of the ARMM and is now considered a failed experiment… When I was President, we pursued numerous peace talks which lapsed into a disgusting cycle of peace talk and ceasefire, which eventually resulted again in fighting… We have tried for more than 40 years, do you want to wait for another 40 years? We have exhausted all remedy to make peace with them but where are we now? How many lives are we going to lose? More lives,” Estrada said.