No all-out war, only all-out justice

When President Noynoy Aquino came out with his no all-out war reaction to the massacre of 19 AFP special forces, plus 14 others seriously wounded at Al-Barka, Basilan Island, the AFP and PNP elements had a serious lowering of morale. Even a horde of civilians with no direct personal or family victims were silently crying foul over the Palace policy, as sadistically cruel in one-sidedness for the rebels.

There’s no question that under democratic tenets, the civilian supremacy over the military is beyond cavil. But, taking into account the treachery by the Muslim rebels including the Abu Sayaff and NPA secessionists whose ambuscades have sapped the morale and esprit de corps of the government troopers, somehow the policy-makers have to revisit this bungling policy. The sadism and injustice were perpetrated under the aegis of“peace talks” that the President himself did exploratory talks in Tokyo with low-key rebels.

Take note that within a 4-hour span following the Al-Barka ambush, and within a 60-kilometer radius, the MILF ambushed and killed 4 more soldiers and wounded 6 others; two hours later, the MILF also wounded a soldier in another ambush; and four policemen later killed in still a third ambush. MILF spokesman Von al-Haq lied that these subsequent ambushes were in retaliations for military attacks… Thereafter, in Zamboanga Sibugay, the MILF killed 6 civilians and occupied an elementary school, not to mention two soldiers killed in ambush in Lanao del Norte. And so on, and so forth.

In the Al-Barka perfidy, the AFP stood firm that the area was a “neutral zone”, still some four kilometers from the nearest MILF “sphere of influence”; nevertheless, the latter insists that the AFP’s supposedly training exercises in landing with their rubber-crafts and boats constituted a “violation”. Why, have the military and Muslim rebels not delineated with maps and charts what are the “off-limits” from the “neutral zones” while “peace talks” are yet under-going?

 What’s worse is that two military officials have been “sacked” over the Al-Barka carnage, namely: Col. Alexander Macario, Special Operations Task Force commander and Army spokesman Col. Antonio Parlade, Jr. for “operational lapses.” Parlade allegedly incensed the Palace for being outspoken in “talking about policy issues and airing opinions” by urging suspension of ceasefire and allowing soldiers to hunt the rebels behind the 19 deaths and 14 wounded.

 Incidentally, how could they under-state the 33 Al-Barka victims as mere “operational lapses,” plus a series of “minor” ambuscades or guerilla-type incursions by Muslim rebels later, and the NPA/Islamic incursions nationwide in the many recent years, with almost zero anti-government forces in casualties?

Even in the “psycho war” or “propaganda” noise, it appears that government forces are being beaten silly. For instance, when reluctantly it seemed, few ageing Bronco bombers, a couple of antiquated “combat konohay” helicopters, and a couple of slow-flying “fighter planes” raided Basilan island and elsewhere as a delayed reaction, Muslim leaders were quick to carp that all-out war is PNoy’s true policy after all.

What did that protracted and ineffective aerial sortie come to? Kaput and pfft. One wonders if that honest and sincere Pres. Ramon “The Guy” Magsaysay were the sitting president, what would have been his “marching orders” to the government forces. It’s just a food for thought!

Perhaps, without indulging in ironic jest, isn’t it time that the “take-a-base” commissioned Lt. Col. Pacquiao be “tapped” for his military expertise?

Indeed, in times of frustration and helplessness in resolving a long protracted problem, anything could be worth trying. At least, with Pacman’s ring wiles and prowess learned in actual ring combat, he knows that sending out “scouts” ahead, of any operation or patrol is a “must”; or the propensity to ride in open jeeps and 6 x 6 trucks is taboo, or employing aerial observation planes and other “trivialities” may spell the difference between life and death; and, that ultimately all is fair in war.