Hope is Not Lost

Prime Suspect in Philippine Massacre Surrenders

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091126/ap_on_re_as/as_philippines_hostages_killed_34

We need to start calling it the Ampatuan Massacre, because it occurred in the town the Ampatuans named after themselves. Maguindanao is a big province with much to be proud of -- ancient culture with beautiful music, fertile land. It doesn't deserve to forever be associated with an atrocity that can only happen in a place called Ampatuan. - Howie Severino (copied from the Facebook post of one Muslim brother)

Some have commented that the suspect in question is just the fall guy, that the main mastermind has already fled.  Some have said that all suspects should be given the death penalty immediately, and that it should be aired live so that there is no question that they were the ones killed.  Some are challenging our administration to close this case quickly to prove that they are not favoring the suspects and that political "utang na loob" does not exist.

As bleak as events look today, we must not lose hope.  We have just come from an extreme high --- two consecutive successes:  Pacquiao and Peñaflorida --- both acts of human compassion and achievement against almost impossible adversity.  Let not these successes have been awarded for nothing.  It is true that the Ampatuan murderers must be punished, maybe as severely as their crime, and that they should not be allowed rights as Filipinos because they took it upon themselves to take away the rights of our innocent countrymen.  But let us not forget that there is a Supreme Being watching over us.  It has been written in His Book of Life that we must live through this tragedy.  For what purpose?  For a reward much greater than anyone has ever seen.  I believe, as low as we are now in human eyes, our country will bounce back up again, much higher than ever before, much stronger and much more intelligent.  

Even as we speak, people are banding together, forming groups on social networks and in churches of all religions all over the country, creating forces that, even if we are far apart, we are still united through mind, heart and spirit.  The murderers think they have won, that they are untouchable.  But they are wrong.  They will be punished.  If not by human hands, then by something Greater and by a means which they would never foresee in their lifetimes.

Election Violence and Mindanao

New York Times: 21 Filipinos Dead in Election Violence, some beheaded
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/world/asia/24phils.html?_r=1


Well, yesterday was the first day for filing of candidacy.  I guess these animals (instinctively) took it as a sign to begin their rampage.

Did I ever mention that in 2007, just about 6 months after the elections, I went to General Santos City with a group of businessmen.  We kind of lost our way and passed through that area (on the news) and had just missed (by a couple of hours) a gunfire ambush between two families on opposing political parties.  When we passed the site, which was still crowded with bystanders and onlookers, the blood on the road and pavement was still wet.

I can just imagine what kind of impact this will have on Mindanao tourism again.  I'm sure a lot of you will be asking if it is safe to come to Mindanao for the reunion next year which I have been so enthusiastically promoting.  Let me draw you a picture so you can see it clearly:

Mindanao is the 2nd largest island in the Philippines.  It is made up of 6 regions:  Region 9 - Zamboanga Peninsula, Region 10 - Northern Mindanao, Region 11 - Davao Region, Region 12 - SOCSARGEN, Region 13 - Caraga Region, and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.  The last - ARMM - is located on the western-most side of Mindanao, containing the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.  The ARMM region is only one-sixth of the whole island of Mindanao and most of its area is scattered onto hundreds of islands in the Mindanao Sea.  

Separating the ARMM from its neighbors are the following:  from Region 9 - a body of water (Moro Gulf), from Region 12 - vast tracks of rice fields.  But there are roads, yes, very good ones at that.  How can we feel really safe if all the roads leading to neutral areas are concrete and accessible?

Before I answer this question, let me bring forth a few facts:  Cagayan de Oro, the regional capital of Northern Mindanao (where Camiguin is located) has a Muslim population of about 150,000, which is roughly 1/4 the total population of the city.  However, many of these Muslims come and go, meaning they don't really live there.  They either just go for a few days to go shopping or they just do business there.

So the answer to the question:  A few years ago, I was talking to a Christian salesman whose area was the Zamboanga and ARMM regions.  He said that the Muslims who come to Cagayan de Oro (which is considered neutral ground for them) are peaceful.  If, my friend said, anything untoward (i.e. war-related/kidnapping/salvaged) happened to them or if something happened to Christians and it was traced back to them within Cagayan de Oro, that would be the day the world would end.  Because then, it would be the war between peaceful Muslims and the warlike Muslims.  One can even say that the reason why the other regions (9, 10, 11, 12 and 13) are so secure (I've lived here all my life and not once have I experienced anything life-threatening by human hands) is because we are being protected by the peace-loving Muslims.

There are travel advisories.  When we travel to SOCSARGEN (Region 12) and ARMM, we also have to follow specific instructions, like travel when the sun is still high in the sky or bring along a Muslim guide to Marawi City.  But if you don't call attention to yourself or you don't cause trouble for anyone, nothing will happen.  How many times does CDO hold Doctors' Conventions?  Almost twice a year.  Have any doctors been kidnapped?  Ask Maxie (aka Mano) because he came here last year.

Though there is no pattern to how the kidnappers choose their victims, it does seem like they pick people whose governments or companies cannot afford to lose them and who have the means to pay the ransom (i.e. Ces Drilon, Red Cross volunteers, missionaries).

Last year, we provided services for the whole cast and crew of Star Cinema (about 100+ people) for 39 days, and even they forgot that they were in Mindanao.

May God Bless Us Always!

p.s. Sorry for being so defensive.  I guess I feel this way because for decades Mindanao has been sorely, sorely misjudged and underestimated.  The point is, if you don't come and see it for yourself, you might end up believing everything negative they say on the news.  And if you stop and think for a moment, Manila is actually more dangerous than any city you visit here in Mindanao.  Whenever I go there, I become paranoid when I find myself still out of the house at sunset.  Coz, there, it's not just the Muslims you have to watch out for...