Are we at war with the US? We ask because residents of Sulu are complaining of American soldiers in full combat gear blatantly supervising and participating in the attacks against MNLF positions in Indanan and Panamao. US spy planes are also reported to hover around the Sulu area directing the ground operations against the MNLF rebels. What is the fighting all about? Which war is being waged here? What are the real interests involved?
Are we at war with the US? We ask because residents of Sulu are complaining of American soldiers in full combat gear blatantly supervising and participating in the attacks against MNLF positions in Indanan and Panamao. US spy planes are also reported to hover around the Sulu area directing the ground operations against the MNLF rebels. What is the fighting all about? Which war is being waged here? What are the real interests involved?
We ask because we do not know what is going on. But we have many questions. Even without any explanation which neither the Philippine government nor the US is willing to provide, we can see with our own eyes what the US troops are doing in Sulu. If they are there for humanitarian work, why do they have to send soldiers in full combat gear? If they are there for medical missions, why not send doctors and dentists? And if they are indeed for civic action, why are they going to the combat zones and fighting alongside the Philippine military against the MNLF? Are they not supposed to attend to the thousands of evacuees that had been displaced from the current fighting with the MNLF?
The “standard” but tired responses to our questions are always that they are here on medical and civic operations simply insult the intelligence of the Filipino people.
Last November 1, 2005, a 22-year old woman from Mindanao was raped by 6 US soldiers in Olongapo City. When asked why the alleged American rapists have not been arrested by our authorities and why they are under the custody of the US embassy, Justice Secretary Gonzales simply said that it is better like that so that the government will not have to spend money feeding them. The kind of Justice Secretary we have speak unequivocally of the kind of justice system that we have in the country. Remember that he was also just too quick to threaten with arrest those who possess the “Hello Garci” tape ringing tones? Why is he so quick to foist the rule of law on Filipinos and yet is so timid with American soldiers defiling our women?
In the next four months, we will commemorate the centennial anniversary of the infamous Bud Dajo massacre which happened on March 5-7,1906. Under the command of the late Gen. Leonard Wood, American soldiers slaughtered close to one thousand men, women and children in Bud Dajo. 100 years after, Sulu is still raging with violence and war. And 100 years after Bud Dajo, American soldiers are back in Sulu. Sulu definitely deserves a much needed healing, justice and reconciliation among themselves and from the incessant onslaught of foreigners and invaders.
We call on our Mindanao congressmen and our lone Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. to immediately investigate the presence of US troops in Sulu. We appeal to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the AFP to declare an immediate ceasefire in Sulu with the MNLF. We demand sustained emergency relief assistance to the evacuees who had been displaced in Indanan and neighboring municipalities.
Let us all remember Bud Dajo and learn from the lessons of our violent history. If the America is indeed serious about its civic and humanitarian assistance in the province of Sulu and in the entire Mindanao, let them send their doctors, engineers, development planners and economic specialists, not their spy planes and soldiers.
Mindanao Peaceweavers
Mindanao Peaceweavers is a convergence of peace advocates advancing a peaceful resolution of the conflict in mindanao. Its convenors are Agong Peace Network, Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), Mindanao Peace Advocates Conference (MPAC), Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC), Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement (MPPM), Mindanao Solidarity Network and Peace Advocates Zamboanga Foundation, Inc. (PAZFI).
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