A Just War: Road to A Just Peace

Written on Thursday, August 21st, 2008 at 6:57 am | by cocoy

I think the whole concept of disarmament has to be re-introduced into the peace negotiations. It’s the missing link in the endless cycle of war and peace.

-Dean Jorge Bocobo, on August 20th, 2008 10:01 pm, comment to A Just War

Is there a war or is there not?

ABS-CBN News quoted MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim who said, “This can be a beginning of the war if not properly handled but it can also, as I have said, there is still a chance in going back to peace as long as both parties— for us and for the side of the government– will implement utmost restraint in order to hold back the situation”.

There is no turning back. Rather, one should say, this Republic should not turn back. Madam President, as Commander-in-Chief I hope you realize that removing MILF off the map is one of the few first steps this Republic must do to bring about a Just and Lasting Peace in Mindanao?

This is A Just War.

There can be no negotiation or settlement with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Destroy their infrastructure. Disarm them. Remove them. Prosecute their financiers. For all our dead, for all who suffer, give them justice. If it is at all possible to bring the leaders of MILF to court, do it. If not, I do not speak for every Filipino but for me, if they happen to be blown up while being arrested, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. That’s war. people die in a war. Maybe this time it wouldn’t be the innocent alone who would pay the price.

Even as the Armed Forces is engaging the Bandit Forces of MILF, we must begin building for a post-war, post-MILF world. What do I mean?

Our government must deal with the other factions in Mindanao. Muslim. Christian. Everyone. (obviously everyone except the MILF). Right now. Even as the shooting is ongoing.

Send a negotiator that all those factions respect. Ask them, individually, in a post war, post MILF world, what would it take for all of them to rebuild Mindanao side by side? What would it take for them and would they agree to all be in a table to discuss those terms with every other stakeholder in the region? If they do, bring them all in one table with a negotiator that is acceptable to all parties.

No ambiguity. No none sense, no bullshit discussion on what rebuilding should be.

What guarantees does the Government of the Republic of the Philippines need to show as a precursor?

We can do this now. As a sign of good faith. Put it to a vote in 2010, ask our people do you really want Charter Change? If our people want it, then call for a Constitutional Convention. If this nation is to change the fundamental course of our politics, we can not do the half step of the Pimentel Proposal nor put the personal interest of Arroyo on the table. We must go full out and put it to a finality, will we or won’t we?

Let our full step be in a Convention that all the pieces of the puzzle can be put together. In Articles of Republic, I mentioned that all our existing provinces/regions can be transformed to “states”. If we have to go Federal, I believe that is the least messy way to do it. All those stakeholders in Mindanao must be an integral part of that Conversation, that Constitutional Convention. We need to look to the future with our eyes open. In my humble opinion Charter Change isn’t a requisite for peace or development but if it is a point of negotiation, why not?

Second, this settlement with Mindanao must be made clear to be an internal matter of the Philippines. We can not solve this by involving Foreign Nations who have their own vested interests in the matter. Save perhaps ensuring that our coastal waters are not violated to prevent the rearming of groups in Mindanao. Save perhaps the prosecution of the Financiers of the MILF. In that I believe, we will need help.

Third, I agree with Dean James when he made a comment to “A Just War,” (and which I quoted at the beginning of this post). There can be no Peace in Mindanao as long as there are guns there. Every group must be disarmed. When the fighting stops, the Armed Forces and our National Police should be the only armed groups in Mindanao. That the ultimate guarantee our Government needs to implement.

By ensuring Law and Order in Mindanao, it opens the door to let businesses thrive. Open Mindanao up to everyone. Filipino. Chinese. Indian. Australian. American. The British. Everyone. Anyone who wants to build a business in Mindanao should be welcome with a few requisite requirement: that they employ full time for at least 3 years one local resident of Mindanao and the number must be proportional to the size of their business. For as long as they do business in Mindanao, they must employ a local resident full time.

The guarantee of Law and Order must be absolute. It can only be done without the guns. And the only way to ensure prosperity for the poorest of the poor in Mindanao is to get business to thrive there. That’s what business needs: a playing field. The guarantee of Law and Order assures that.

And you know what the good part of that last bit is? It doesn’t need Charter Change. All it needs is for our government to do its job: guarantee Law and Order and let our people thrive.

The Jester posted this on his site:

Seriously, FV crew, we have to take this a bit seriously. Now that we have the South starting to flare, perhaps we can do a bit to help fight the fires? Food for thought.

On the 7th of November 2004, Arundhati Roy said in a speech on accepting the Sydney Peace Price, “Sometimes there’s truth in old cliches. There can be no real peace without justice. And without resistance there will be no justice”.  Inspiring words in this time of war and an equation, I think for Peace.

Disarm Mindanao. Guarantee Law and Order in that island. That said, let us not be naive to think that guns will guarantee perpetual peace. We can only guarantee peace with a gun for a finite period of time but we have to make it count. I believe that the justice Mindanao needs is to get businesses to thrive. through it, we respect the human dignity of the People of Mindanao by giving them more than mere living wage. We raise Our People up. We open Opportunities for them to grow, to thrive. This I believe is a Just Peace, after a Just War.

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About The Author: cocoy Mac. Linux. Tech. Comics. Free Market. Politics. New Media. Coffee. Geek. He hangs out on twitter as @cocoy, on Plurk, FriendFeed and blogs at Big Mango.

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7 Responses to “A Just War: Road to A Just Peace”

  1. rets on August 21st, 2008 1:59 pm

    Certainly…

  2. Dean Jorge Bocobo on August 21st, 2008 2:47 pm

    Cocoy,
    “WAR” is perhaps too grand of a word to apply to the police action needed to deal with Commanders Bravo and Ombra Kato. However, no trace of irony can be found in the words of Al Hadj Murad (talking exclusively to Korina Sanchez yesterday) asking Media “not to inflame the situation”. [with news of the murders, house-burnings and hostage takings done by rampaging MILF enforcers?]

    There is a very real possibility that within the MILF there will now be an open split between those who will settle for something like the pseudo sultanate of Nur Misuari and the MNLF within the ARMM, and those hard liners who want to go for the brass ring and declare independence. The Next Moro Liberation Front (NMLF)?

  3. cocoy on August 21st, 2008 3:18 pm

    dean jorge,

    i hear you. i understand some of the better terms suggested is that instead of “war on terror,” it should be characterized as a counter terrorism action/police action.

    my best description for what needs to be done is… “rain ‘holy hell’ on the MILF”.

    yeah. ironic how the MILF Central Committee had this to say about the government’s use of PAF. (link via mlq3)

    it is highly imperative that even if they do split our government should have the balls to bring them to justice. No more negotiations. It is highly imperative that Law and Order be upheld in Mindanao. Mindanao really has to be disarmed.

    This Republic needs to show Filipinos living in Mindanao that the law works, such as it is. That it can guarantee their safety. That business can thrive there. That the criminals masquerading under the guise of religion be punished accordingly.

  4. julie on August 21st, 2008 9:53 pm

    Today after watching the TV news it was reported that our military wants 20 billion pesos to finance the war, does that mean the military cannot “afford” to go to war? I am amazed at that, so what are the military for, just for show and giving out medals by the box full.Just look at the generals and above who have chest full of medals, for what, defending the country?
    or are they just for show also….?

    Remove the terrorist who always hold our country to ransom once and for all no matter what the expense !!

  5. retsy on August 21st, 2008 11:40 pm

    I am amazed with the late night news that I watched few minutes ago.

    I adhere the notion that soldiers are there to defend the people and the country. It is erroneous that the family of this soldiers are embracing a thoughtless idea that it could be fatal for their husband to be in Mindanao which is considered critical as of now. People of the Philippines, it is absolute that part of the duty of this soldiers is to combat for a war to restore peace. That is part of their call of duty!!! Just like teachers who are willing to die during election to serve and to guard the sanctity of the ballots!!!!

    Certainly it is their work and the wives should realize that definite reality.

  6. Current » Wrapped in the flag on August 28th, 2008 11:29 pm

    […] a more philosophical note, two entries discuss A Just War | Filipino Voices and A Just War: Road to A Just Peace | Filipino Voices (what is a “Just War”? See Just War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). The voices […]

  7. retsy on August 30th, 2008 11:47 pm

    A Just War for me is to have Justifications to those victims of MILF attrocities. I do believe in my very own opinion that War is the fundamental of Peace. After the War the GRP must document for Peace. It’s a fact that War is a strong element in documenting Peace. Ang logic ko po sa sinabi ko nu-ong ika-21 ng Augusto ay ang rationality na pag isang sundalo ang Anak mo o Asawa mo, O kapatid mo ay “Ang isang Paa ay talagang nasa Hukay”. Kung Ayaw mo mamatay ang Kamag-anak mo ay hwag mo haya-an Maging isang Sundalo kasi lohika talaga na pag isang sundalo ay nasasabak sa Labanan at kung Mamalasin ay maa-ring mamatay. Ang tanong, di bat alam ninyo yan, na pag Sundalo dahil sa Nature ng work ay maa-ring mamatay??? Kamag-anak ko Sundalo Asawa nya, pero pinatigil nya dahil sa tindi ng labanan sa Mindanao nung nagda-ang mga taon. Naging Lohikal lang ako. Ama ko connected din sa Armed Forces but he faced his verdict of death because of his work. Perhaps if the soldiers will not defend the people of Mindanao, What will happen??? We, the Mindanaoans are so proud and pleased that the Military are firm in their Pursuit operations againts Umbra Kato & Commander Bravo. Ganun lang talaga….., Ang mga sundalo they are there to combat to restore Peace & that is part of their work. Eh… alangan naman Guro ang makidigma sa mga rebelde, eh ang task ng mga Guro ay magturo. Thus, soldiers are defender & protector of the land & they are dignified people of the country.

    What the Soldiers are doing right now in Mindanao is a Way in total restorations of PEACE. Hence, PEACE can only be achieve if justice is granted to the victims of the rebels attrocities.

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