My personal emotions on the ‘Mamasapano Massacre’

It was sad how all things happened to a heroic mission that was supposed to be accomplished by the Special Action Force Commandos.  How sad that they were killed and overkilled by the combatants of the other party.  And how enraging that they were killed in a way that almost stripped them with their dignity.

Such encounter can never be called a mere ‘self-defense’ or ‘misencouter’.  They were gunned down with the intention to decimate them.  For if it was only a mere self-defense, one shot is enough for each of them to make them harmless. 

This event greatly impact the peace process in Mindanao.  I hope the government will think over about the enactment of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) - review the provisions that may only lead to similar violence especially that the law provides for the power of a Bangsamoro police.  Although, this police will still be under the structure of the Philippine National Police but no guarantee of no abuse of power.  The Peace Process is a wonderful gift for the Mindanaoans.  But if the government will not be firm and demand for the dissolution of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) troops and submit their guns then, this BBL may just turn to become a scourge for the Mindanaoans. 

In 1989, the Organic Act was enacted into law that created for the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).  Several other acts thereafter were created for the expansion of it.  At first, it was a good result of the peace process with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).  In 2009, two decades and a year after ARMM was established, the Maguindanao Massacre that brutally killed media men and civilians happened.  The evidences pointed the responsibility to this gruesome execution to the private armies of the most influential and powerful dynasty in ARMM.  The brutality of the deaths of the victims was a substantiation of abuse of power and ownership of high calibre weaponries.  This happened just after two decades and a year.

In 2012, President Aquino first announced the creation of a Bangsamoro with the hopes of igniting the peace process once again.  The peace negotiations are not yet over but the incident in the Mamasapano, Maguindano is already an indication of possibilities of more abuse of power once the BBL be enacted into law. 

 My emotions towards this incident are mostly anchored on questions – How can we still trust when even prior to the completion of the peace process there is already the breach of it?  It was said that the reason why SAF commandos entered Mamasapano is to pursue international terrorists.  How come that these terrorists are within the premises of an area where majority of the residents are either MILF or BIFF?  Is it just a mere coincidence?

It was said that MILF is sincere with the furtherance of the peace process.  In their sincerity to pursue peace, would they also be willing to surrender all their camps, weaponries and commandos? I hope the government will firmly demand for the surrender of their armaments before the enactment of the BBL.

I pray for the repose of the souls of the SAF commandos.  I pray that the bereaved families will have the courage to move on.  I pray that justice will be served without delay.  I pray that the government will have the political will to fight for what is just for the overkilled commandos.  I pray for peace in Mindanao.  I pray for the country, may God bless Philippines.