Saved from the BBL

The more we learn from the various probes and inquiries going over the tragedy of Mamasapano, the more we Filipinos should be thankful that the Bangsamoro Basic Law had not been passed yet. The bloody incident, where members of the group that had been negotiating with government representatives in crafting the BBL, were involved, has proven that the law, as it has been drawn, will not assure the peace and coordination between their people and the actual citizens of the Republic of the Philippines.

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Note that it has been determined, even by video tapes, that members of the MILF and their supposed splinter group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, or BIFF, were clearly shown to be among those who mercilessly shot down the legitimate policemen, at close range, knowing that they were not supposed to be their enemies. Who would not be shocked and disgusted to hear, and even see proof that some of the Special Action Force men of the PNP were shot dead in cold blood, when they were down but still alive?

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And there was also proof of the looting they made on the bodies, robbing them of their weapons, their personal effects, and even their uniforms. And why were the MILF men and the BIFF members jointly attacking the Philippine policemen, if they were supposed to be waiting for the approval of the BBL that would delineate the terms of their relationship with the rest of the country? Where is the sincerity, and the honor there? Ah, the Good Lord is still protecting our country, this time against the almost done deal of allowing its dismemberment through a pact arrived at by well-meaning, but, now it seems, very trusting, if not gullible men and women representing the government.

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Then there was the report that the MILF promised to return all the stolen weapons taken from the bodies of the dead, and freshly killed policemen. Did our negotiations believe that? Has a single gun been returned, so far? Yesterday, I happened to catch an interview on TV with an alleged BIFF commander, and when he asked whether they would return the weapons, he sarcastically said, “No, no!” Ah, all of us Filipinos should continue to pray for peace, but not at the price these people are expecting to exact, after we give in.

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The town is again talking about the airport incident where a sexagenarian had fallen flat on her face and sustained broken bones and other serious injuries when she tripped over the bags left carelessly on her way at the Bacolod Silay Airport last year. This time, it was the existence of the CCTV at the area that clinched the case, because it showed very clearly what happened. Because none of those involved had been aware at the time they were being “covered”, no action had been taken on the incident. Would everyone have been more careful, and more concerned, had they known about its existence?

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That is why it seems to be a very indiscreet decision of those concerned to announce for all and sundry that CCTVs have already been installed in specifically indicated areas in the city. If one or two criminals are able to escape being identified because they know where the cameras are, and manage to avoid being “shot,” all the expense for acquiring them would go for naught already.

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The disaster at the football field in Cairo where more than 20 fans were killed in a stampede is reminiscent of what happened in the Ultra arena in Metro Manila during a show by then very popular TV host Willie Revillame, who has been lying low for some time, and is said to be a millionaire many times over. In the Cairo affair, it happened because those in charge of the games limited the spectators to only 10,000 and when the tickets were sold out, thousands more who couldn’t get in, climbed the walls. When the police acted, a stampede ensued where 20, maybe more, were killed, not by shots or other deadly weapons, but being trampled on.

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In the last World Cup, at least, only the players got involved in brawls, not the spectators. Isn’t it funny that sports are being promoted worldwide, supposedly to develop the spirit of sportsmanship, but the opposite is often the result when competitors cannot accept defeat, or the decisions of officials? By the way, why were the Cairo football fans so hellbent on getting into the stadium, were the games there not covered by TV? Seems Philippine fans are luckier, they can watch live even such great games as those of the NBA.*

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