The writing on the wall

By Ermin Garcia Jr.

 

AS more details are revealed during the senate and congressional inquiries on the Mamasapano massacre of the Fallen 44, I cannot but fear a far more serious impact and implication of the whole process, including the passage or junking of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, to us in Luzon and Visayas, in general, and in Pangasinan, in particular.

At the outset, I fear that more institutions will be damaged even before the smoke clears. We can start with the trust and relationships between our PNP and AFP, then there is the growing mistrust of people towards of the occupants of Malacanang, and a widening divide even between peace-loving Christians and Muslims.

And it would appear that the truth uncovered so far is still full of inconsistencies. The writing on the wall is fraught with threats and danger to our communities.

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WAR AS LUCRATIVE BUSINESS. The senate inquiry stumbled on the information that a series of police missions have been aborted caused by suspected leaks of operational details to targets by some AFP personnel (if not by some PNP elements). How else can targets elude well planned assaults if not for prior information about the planned assaults? While that has not been proven, the probability is certainly high.

It is also no secret that the so-called war in Mindanao has become a lucrative business over the decades for some enterprising souls in for both traditional combatants, namely the AFP (and PNP) on one hand, and the Muslim secessionist groups aligned with the bandit Abu Sayyaf group. It’s the arms trade and double spying in the military sector and fund-raising and ransom payments in the other.

News reports about wholesale loss or sale of AFP weaponry and or discovery of use of army-issued firearms by the MILF/MNLF/BIFF are no longer considered unusual. Still no one has been called to account for any of these and therefore, the trading continues.

As if the questions of motivation and ethics in the ranks are not damaging enough, the revelations about the shortcomings, erroneous decisions and break in the chain of command now threaten the efficiency and reliability of our military and police forces to perform their mandate.

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LOSS OF CONFIDENCE. The obvious attempt of at cover-up for PNoy by cronies and personalities inside Malacanang is not helping restore confidence in the national leadership to unite the nation towards one purpose –peace and economic progress.

The lame and evasive responses of cabinet members to pointed questions of senators and congressmen are making people incredulous that these officials have the gall to lie and defy common sense and logic. In the social media, the government panel of negotiators are already being labeled as “MILF-cum-terrorists collaborators.” Tsk-tsk.

Again, as if it was not bad enough that Palace apologists stupidly offered a silly and flimsy alibi to justify the absence of PNoy during the emotional welcome for the Fallen 44 – the arrival of the Fallen 44 was not in the official schedule of the President! Now comes, their attempt to make us believe that PNoy had no knowledge of the particulars and the running events of the massacre, and therefore could not be made accountable.

No wonder talks of coups and calls for resignation no longer surprise or alarm many.

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HATRED. The video that went viral showing how one of the Fallen 44 was mercilessly executed while lying helpless and wounded is, without a doubt fanning a hate sentiment initially among Christians towards the MILF, BIFF and armed Muslim groups.

I am afraid that unless more transparency is seen in the relationship between MILF and government, the initial selective hatred being fanned will grow into a full-blown hatred between Christians and Muslims.

This is where the impact of the ongoing inquiry and debate on the Mamasapano massacre and BBL will cascade to our cities and towns in Pangasinan, not mention elsewhere in the country.

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The prospect of total war in Mindanao waged by the MILF-BIFF will inevitably send thousands of Christians and Muslims on an exodus to Pangasinan. (I am limiting it to Pangasinan to impress upon all that the threats and dangers to us are as real and closer to us as with others than we’d like to believe).

The immediate social and security problem that the province will face will be the sudden rush of informal settlers seeking safe haven, to our existing Muslim communities or squatter areas where they hope to reunite with some relatives.

Since they will be adding to the local population without adding to the economy in the communities, there will inevitably an increase in poverty level in the towns and cities.

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ILLEGAL DRUGS. It is public knowledge that most suspects engaged in illegal drug trading in Pangasinan today are traced to and protected inside Muslim enclaves and communities. The accepted reason is poverty. Selling illegal drugs make for easy albeit dangerous livelihood.

Consequently, we can expect our already worsening problem in illegal drugs today to multiply overnight once our communities begin hosting more informal settlers from Mindanao who are neither legitimate entrepreneurs/traders nor professionals.  

So far, many local governments are reportedly dismayed by the reluctance or the lack of cooperation of local Muslim community leaders to help stop the illegal drug trade in their midst. This situation has not helped build goodwill among law enforcers and the Muslim communities in the province.

It would not be difficult to surmise that our enforcers will have their hands full in battling the drug syndicates, particularly if some of them have already been compromised because of poor pay scale. Tsk-tsk.

Here’s the bottom line for our local governments. If they do not prepare for this contingency, we certainly will have to expect the worst – a breakdown in community life, not on account of our Muslim brothers and sisters that needed sanctuary but because our local governments failed to have a vision and a plan for an evolving community.

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WHERE TAXES ARE SPENT. I cannot but feel inspired by the series of successful initiatives of the Belen Fernandez administration in Dagupan City.

Her initiatives are not the usual construction of waiting sheds and basketball courts, or beautification projects but people-oriented projects that directly impact on the lives of her constituents.

Her successful economic reform agenda, hands-on management of projects, regular consultation with constituents in the barangays, sustained improved health care for children and elders, priority for quality education, intensive campaign vs. illegal drugs etc. are proofs that public service and administration without corruption can bring progress to a community overnight!

If Mayor Belen can do it in Dagupan, other town executives can easily do it as well. It’s really all a matter of choice.

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