High-tech, high-stakes games in high places

Most people thought that all the while the Abu Sayyaf was history. With the reported death (and I hope not grossly exaggerated) of ASG spokesperson Abu Sabaya, most people believed the government’s claim that the ASG was decimated, bringing about – finally! – a renewed sense of hope, of euphoria, of moving forward, of better things to come for Mindanao. Some news bureaus have already made a special on Basilan, packaging it as a potential tourist destination, with its sprawling cool tropical beaches, lush virgin rainforests and hidden waterfalls. There was even talk among some vacation spot owners about creating a marina-cum-resort along the unspoiled beaches of this out-of-the-way El Dorado. The respite, however, was short-lived; worse, it doesn’t make any damn sense at all. All that press release and photo op gone to waste! As sheer bad luck would have it, this government has another set of lumps to nurse on its head.

Nothing like a pathetic hiatus from kidnapping, and a little stir between political parties, to make us think we’ve put back some order into our lives; nothing like surprises like this one to rock our boat and shake us back to reality. Indeed, each kidnapping incident presents a new set of problems for the country. When we eschew the warning signs, no doubt, this is what we will get. Suffice it to say, kidnapping is a grave offense against people and nations, and it should never be treated without a brutal sense of urgency. If Christianity teaches love, and if Islam means peace, therewith, kidnapping, with all its attendant terrors, is surely a mortal sin against God.

What is valuable in this whole indecent affair with kidnappers is that it should teach us to always be on our toes, to always be on the look out for answers to anticipated problems. Simply said, we should have foreseen and prepared for this move by the ASG. We should have fielded more of our troops in ASG-ridden barrios even after Sabaya was put out of commission. We should have increased our teach-ins, outreaches and social work with the poor folks of Basilan, Sulu and Jolo. The government should have installed an "up-close-and-personal" protocol towards residents of Basilan. The whole effort may be restrictive in some places, and painstaking in others, but it is an effort worthy of the country’s attention and resources. Like fire, we should not lose the brightness of our intentions even if from time to time we flicker here and there.

And speaking of answers to problems, as of late, an American company is looking at the Philippines as a potential market for what could be the latest in high-tech, high-premium digital tracking technology. The GPS Satellite Tracking System (GSTS), as it is called, dons a high-tech microchip that could be imbedded in the body or clothing. The chip serves as a beeping device to locate missing persons, among other things. The system could take a year to complete, and only if government (and I urge them to do so) would make it easier for the company to get its license, and to install Earth signal sites spread out over 7,100 islands for the digital mapping system to be in place. From what I understand, it is being tested in Columbia at the moment. Once in place, this system could be useful in finding kidnap victims, and could serve as a deterrent. This could be a fitting addition to the vehicular tracking system that’s already installed in the country. Although subscription is expensive, it will definitely help in your peace of mind to know round-the-clock where your children and loved ones are. It could also be useful (or detrimental, whichever way you want to look at it) for wives who want to know where their husbands are 24-hours a day.

PGMA should also rethink her tactics against captured criminals and terrorists. She should, with all the power vested in her by the Constitution, find a lasting way to bridle this kidnapping menace. She could start by dropping altogether her strategy of public humiliation of criminals for the more potent and effective public execution of captured terrorists and kidnappers! And why not? These gangs are barbaric animals, and they should no less be hunted down as animals! This particular crime has cost this country so much anguish, so much pain, so much uncertainty for the future that to simply belittle and humiliate these rascals would in itself be nothing! Delete these hooligans from the face of the earth, right in front of the Filipino people whom they have scorned, in front of their Christian and Muslim brothers whom they have endlessly disgraced. Pluck out their eyes, cut off their heads as they have done with their victims! It doesn’t matter how and what we employ as a punishment. As long as these poor excuses for human beings are taken away for good, it would be better for all of us in this country, and for the whole world for that matter.

As expected, multinational companies are terrified with this development. Parsons Engineering has already closed shop, and others may follow. After the abduction of one of Parsons’ executives (and the subsequent cutting off of his left ear), who wouldn’t think of leaving the country? It’s bad enough these corporations have to deal daily with the threat of corruption as an addendum to terrorism! The effects in this country have been far and wide; the cost in specific figures are too hard to contemplate on. I have said it time and again, if kidnapping continues, this country will always be plunged into riveting darkness; we will never see the light of day.

Apparently, there is more to kidnapping than what hits the frontpages of newspapers. According to our intelligence sources, it seems that there’s a hidden hand that’s out to intentionally embarrass the government. The timing of the abduction is so peculiar that it makes one think the whole scenario came out of the plot of Conspiracy Theory! Could it be that there are shadowy figures lurking behind the executive seat that are slowly setting up this administration for a fall? Politics is a high-stakes game to play; there’s too much ambition going around. Not even the strongest and the wisest of leaders survive when they become reckless and negligent. History is no less clear about this: it was the white-robed solons that sat calmly and quietly beside the highly revered Julius Ceasar in the halls of the Roman Senate that inevitably did him in.

More than just probing deeper into a terrorist’s psyche, this administration should seriously – and I mean seriously – look into politics and dark political maneuverings as a form of terrorism. Although it would be unfair to lay down as basis rumors and uncertain intelligence reports, it is always a good strategy to examine everything and trust no one. This administration should be aware (a longer version of "beware") of voices and whispers, of small talks and rumors, because there could be more truth in tattles than in what are being openly said. To dabble in high-stakes politics is as dangerous as playing Russian roulette: one wrong move, one careless decision, and its touch and go for this administration.

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