Good faith and trust

The MILF has recently returned ten weapons that were taken from the SAF commandos who were killed in Mamasapano. According to them, an additional six more weapons will be returned soon, bringing the total to sixteen. That would make twenty- eight unaccounted for, which are probably in the hands of the BIFF who have said that they would not return any of the weapons they took from the commandos. Reports have come in that the weapons of the SAF are being sold to anyone with the money to buy them. The MILF is doing this to show good faith, that they are sincere in seeing the peace process through, and that the encounter between them and the SAF commandos was not intentional.

Still, the personal effects of the commandos such as cellphones, uniforms, bullet- proof vest. s and other gear have not been returned, aside form the three items recently returned by a civilian. The plea from the families is that they be returned. The Palace has asked the MILF to do more to regain the trust of the nation back. Aside from returning t he personal effects, they could also help in capturing or killing Basit Usman, who escaped the raid conducted by the SAF.

The MILF also has some explaining to do, in the light of emails revealed recently by Sen. Cayetano showing close ties between Zulkifli bin Hir alyas "Marwan" and the MILF. This is disconcerting since the MILF has constantly denied knowledge of Marwan's whereabouts, nor were they coddling him. But he was killed i n MILF/ BIFF controlled territory. If this is true, then why shouldn't we believe t hat Usman is also receiving some form of protection? Lawmakers are on hold with regards to talks on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, until they see that the MILF is sincere in achieving real peace.

The MILF would do well to help the government capture or kill Usman. It would also not hurt if they actively engaged the BIFF and finally put an end to t heir existence. The BIFF cannot be allowed to grow and become another pain in the neck for the country. We may have an agreement with the MILF, but the BIFF must be totally eradicated. There are reports of clashes between MILF and BIFF forces, causing t he evacuation of several residents. This must be sustained, as t he BIFF are constantly engaging i n criminal activities to sustain their rebellion.

Trust, once broken, i s harder t o regain. This i s essentially where we are right now. We are trying to regain trust. With the deaths of fortyfour of our brave commandos, that is easier said than done. Emotions are still high, with many demanding for answers which right now, after two executive sessions, only the senators seem to know.

Question is, will we know as well?

“The MILF would do well to help the government capture or kill Usman. It would also not hurt if they actively engaged the BIFF and finally put an end to their existence. The BIFF cannot be allowed to grow and become another pain in the neck for the country. We may have an agreement with the MILF, but the BIFF must be totally eradicated. There are reports of clashes between MILF and BIFF forces, causing the evacuation of several residents. This must be sustained, as the BIFF are constantly engaging in criminal activities to sustain their rebellion.”