Should we pass the BBL because we are threatened with war?

The MILF panel has gained the audacity to brandish a threat against a sovereign nation, the Philippines, that if our Congress would not pass the proposed Bangsa Moro Basic Law, or even it is passed but with ''watered-down'' provisions, a great war shall erupt in Mindanao. That same mantra has been adopted '' hook, line and sinker'' by our two illustrious lady-negotiators, Secretary Ging Deles and Dr Miriam Ferrer. And, by their representation, the President of the Republic is being led to make official pronouncement, repeating over and over again, that audacious, if arrogant threat of war, as the proximate reason for our legislature to pass the BBL.

This, to my mind, is the most blatant form of legislative blackmail, the most condemnable act of arm-twisting. And if ever our Senate and House, and ultimately, the President should fall prey to such an arrogant style of forcing their way, then whatever legislative measure that shall come out of such coerced process shall be null and void "ab initio." Why, because the legislative minds are under undue pressures, psychological force and intimidation, undue influence and gross misrepresentation. If at all, such an act would be an incongruous monstrosity, and to say the least, would be a fruit of a poisonous tree.

The truth of the matter, however, is that the MILF is only bluffing. And only Deles and Ferrer could fall for such a negotiating gambit. The truth of the matter is that they do not have complete control of their own territory, by their own admission under oath. When asked if the MILF has absolute control over Mamasapano, as a premise to their coddling Marwan, that international terrorist who lived for years less than half a kilometer from their headquarters, the MILF representatives who testified repeatedly before both the Senate and the House, admitted, without batting an eyelash that the MILF does NOT exclusively control the area.

The MILF alibi and attempted defense to shield them from alliance with Marwan is the same argument that can be turned around to prove that indeed the MILF is not in control over that small piece of territory. And so, to carry our argument further, if indeed, the MILF does not even have control over that minuscule Mamasapano, how can it have the power to control a much bigger area to be covered by the Bangsa Moro? And how can this MILF have the audacity to brandish a threat of war as a gambit to force Congress to pass the BBL? The MILF knows very well that the MNLF opposes them and the BIFF is aggressively running after them. Both MNLF and BIFF are for absolute independence, not for a sub-state or autonomy.

If the MILF has a little respect left for the Republic, and if the MILF panel understands that both the Senate and the House can have them arrested for direct contempt, these people should refrain from brandishing threats as their style of ''coercing'' the legislative minds to consider the passage of the BBL. They should try to build the strength of their own arguments, and not force their way in by way of a grand blackmail. If the BBL is really good, not only for the Muslims but also for the whole nation, then let them prove that in open session. They should humble themselves and should refrain from talking in cavalier and arrogant fashion.

The trouble with MILF is that, having been ''spoiled'' by Deles and Ferrer, and having been virtually recognized as a belligerent state by Malaysia, it has come to believe that, at this point in time, that it can get away with the audacity of threatening a sovereign Republic. That could be their fatal "faux pas." The Filipinos know better than Deles, Ferrer and Iqcbal. We were not all born yesterday. We know what to do. And that is not to jump into the ravine just like how these "Pied Pipers of Hamlin" would want us to. We should not be coerced into passing this draconian measure because of this boastful bluff. Never.