|
I don’t know how this debate will end, but the opposition has
already taken side on the proposal of Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Alexander Yano for a
three-year ceasefire with communist rebels. Yano’s proposal was
based on his plan to create an atmosphere conducive for a resumption
of the peace negotiations with the rebels.
Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. of the
PDP-Laban was disappointed that Yano’s proposal was rejected
outright by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. The civilian boss
of Yano, Teodoro believes that the active use of the military was
needed to beat the communist guerrillas.
Yano is right tactically, according to
Pimentel. “But I suggest the next time around, the Department of
National Defense and the AFP should send on uncomplicated message.
It is not good for the defense establishment to speak in different
directions,” Pimentel said. I understand that the two officials
have been told by President Arroyo to coordinate their public
statements.
In truth, ceasefire with the communists is a
complicated issue. The only time ceasefire between the AFP and the
New People’s Army worked was during the few months after the 1986
mutiny. At that time, President Cory Aquino had enormous prestige to
persuade the armed forces into respecting the truce with the
communists. But it did not last.
Even the so-called ceasefires during Christmas
season, observed during at least three administrations, were
discarded by both sides. It seemed that the ceasefires did not favor
both sides.
Attempt to institutionalize ceasefire as a
component of the peace process also failed. In 1992, the government
proposed that substantive talks be preceded by ceasefire. But this
proposal was rejected by the National Democratic Front (NDF)
negotiators on the ground that ceasefire should come later and not
earlier. NDF negotiators argued forcefully that ceasefire should be
part of the agenda on “disposition of forces” which is the last
agenda in the talks.
I disagree with the description of Senator
Pimentel that, in this debate, Yano is the dove while Teodoro is the
hawk. The idea of a ceasefire in the peace negotiations has long
been a position of the AFP since the Ramos. I am just wondering why
Teodoro is opposing the Yano plan when it is just a reiteration of
previous government proposals.
My suggestion is for the Yano proposal to be
consolidated as a government position once the talks with the NDF
resumes. And I believe that the talks will have to be convened
sooner (during the GMA term) or later (after GMA). We cannot
continue to engage in a shooting war indefinitely.
---
Romblon people await Titan Salvage
The people of Romblon have received a report
that US-based Titan Salvage has been tapped to remove the toxic
substances and oil from the sunken MV Princess of the Stars in the
coast of San Fernando, Romblon. They are waiting and hoping that the
operation starts ASAP.
According to Mr. Jordan Go, vice president for
marketing of Sulpicio Lines, the firm has paid the down payment
(total contract is about $7 million) for the service of the salvage
firm. Mr. Go estimates that it would take about a month for the
operation to be finished. The firm would need about 20 days for
mobilization.
The situation in Sibuyan will continue to be
tense until the endosulfan and the oil are removed from the boat.
Mr. Go said Sulpicio is also racing against time because his firm
wants to defuse a “ticking time bomb.” With the amount of oil in
the boat and the toxic substances, we cannot imagine what will
happen to Sibuyan Sea.
___
BRIEF NOTES. Senate President Manny
Villar visited Romblon over the weekend. He met with mayors and
barangay officials after distributing relief goods to the capital
town and in San Agustin . . . Former Congressman Butch Pichay is not
predisposed to accept the post of chief of the Overseas Workers
Welfare Fund (OWWA). He said that he is now busy with his private
business that he may not have the time for OWWA work. I saw him at
the press conference of Speaker Nograles on Friday at Melo’s . . .
Mr. Angelo Jimenez, a deputy in the OWWA, is being proposed to head
the agency . . . It seems that Congresswoman Mary Ann Susano is
serious in her bid to run for QC mayor. She now frequents kapihan
sessions where she discusses her stand on issues . . . President GMA
has met with businessmen and shipowners of Cebu . . . Up to the
present, the cable TV operators have not given details of their
coverage for the Beijing Olympics. We do not how much will they
charge. We do not know how to apply. Expect some swindlers to enter
the picture again . . . Channel 4 has finally lost its capability to
cover the Olympics . . . Don’t count Sen. Richard Gordon out. He
may just be chosen by the ruling party to become its standard bearer
for the 2010 elections . . . 
jules42na@yahoo.com
|
