Babe's Eye View article

It’s not such a big surprise that GMA is running for Congress. It was obvious she had plans judging from her frequent visits to Pampanga. Perhaps she’s operating on a survival mode because people have been threatening to go after her once she’s out of office. But whatever her reasons for running—whether to serve some more or to survive—that’s her right, as even Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal had acknowledged.

Besides, Joker Arroyo is right—there really is nothing to fear about GMA becoming Speaker to change the Constitution and become prime minister. If she failed to push for Charter change as president with the full backing of her allies in Congress, how could she succeed as a “mere” congresswoman? But as is usually the case, everything GMA does spawns all kinds of suspicions, like her latest controversial move to issue Proclamation 1959 placing the whole province of Maguindanao under martial law.

People are debating whether she had basis to do so, but those who agree with her point to the necessity of imposing law and order in Mindanao—a region that has, for several decades now, been marked by strife and conflict if not between government forces and insurgents, between warring clans over land disputes and political control. Add to that the presence of al-Qaeda linked terrorist groups and you have a really combustible mix that has practically turned Mindanao into a no man’s land.

Even the Nacionalista Party acknowledges the need to instill peace and order in Mindanao, but like most GMA critics, they are wary that this could lead to another attempt to push for charter change. NP spokesperson Gilbert Remulla said one offshoot people must guard against is the possibility of the joint session of Congress being used as an opportunity to convene a Constituent Assembly. The declaration, Gilbert says, must be “specific, time bound and focused in its objectives given our experience regarding Martial Law.”

Critics say there is no basis for the declaration because of the absence of rebellion or invasion in Maguindanao. The Constitution says the president may impose martial law in the Philippines or any part thereof for up to 60 days in case of rebellion or invasion, but she is also required to submit within 48 hours a report to Congress which may vote to extend or revoke the proclamation.

What is clear, however, is that the “Maguindanao Massacre”—or as some insist, the “Ampatuan Massacre”—is just one more proof of the complexity of the problem in Mindanao. Some believe the discovery of high powered firearms, bullets and anti-tank weapons in the property of an Ampatuan relative shows a “clear and present danger” that could undermine peace and security not only in Maguindanao but in other areas because once the violence starts, it could spill over even to Metro Manila.

Those who have never been to Mindanao will not understand the depths people will go to maintain supremacy and control in their fiefdoms. But to those who live in Maguindanao and areas under the stranglehold of one powerful family, there is no question the current situation is explosive—whose consequences could be worse than what the world witnessed with the “Ampatuan Massacre.”

AFP chief of staff Gen. Victor Ibrado has confirmed the presence of hundreds of armed men believed to be supporters of the Ampatuan family—who are reportedly planning to take “hostile action” against enemies of the Ampatuans. A retired officer told me the weapons and ammunitions discovered are more than enough to arm six battalions of soldiers—with a battalion having an average of 500 personnel.

Let’s not forget this is just one family which has managed to accumulate a huge cache over the years. That these weapons came from the military and police is rather ironic, because these could be the same weapons used against soldiers and policemen who were only trying to do their jobs. Granted that military and police scalawags were selling arms to civilians and rebels, the magnitude clearly shows this could not have happened without the complicity of high-ranking officials.

Would the presidentiables have done the same as GMA if they were placed in the same position? One can only guess from their performance at the ANC forum “Harapan” and their actions after news of the massacre broke. The general consensus among those who watched was that Gilbert Teodoro, Dick Gordon, Noynoy Aquino and even Joseph Estrada did well. People were impressed at Gilbert’s clear stance on Maguindanao and his decisiveness in expelling the Ampatuans. Dick Gordon scored points, commenting that he would not have waited for the massacre to happen at all. Of course, Joseph Estrada has always said the rebellion in Mindanao would have been finished had he been allowed to complete his term, and early on, Noynoy and Mar Roxas demanded swift and decisive action regarding the massacre.

The other day, I was talking with Senator Ed Angara about the Philippine population reaching 100 million in the next couple of years, for which Ed corrected me saying there will be 115 million Filipinos by 2015. The latest development only goes to show that the problems faced by the next president will be multiplied many times over especially with Mindanao having the highest population growth rate.

Solving the Mindanao dilemma is easier said than done—which is why now more than ever, it is crucial for Filipinos to elect a leader who is decisive, ready to face up to the challenges in the coming years and with the guts to do what is necessary under the tenets of the law.