/ stevenwarran's Library/ Notes/ September 19, 2000, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Attack draws more int'l, local support,
September 19, 2000, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Attack draws more int'l, local support,
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September 19, 2000, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Attack draws more int'l, local support,
PRESIDENT Estrada's decision to launch a military offensive against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu continued to draw support in the Philippines and abroad.
But a Catholic bishop said violence, even against so-called bandits and criminals, could never be justified. A poll by CNN.com last Saturday showed that 92 percent of almost 7,000 respondents believed Mr. Estrada ''made the right choice to decisively end the five-month-long ordeal.'' Only 8 percent said the President ''should not have abandoned months of negotiations to put civilians at risk.''
The question was: ''Do you think Philippine President Estrada's decision to send troops to rescue 19 hostages held by extremists was appropriate?''
In a second CNN.com poll on Sunday, respondents were asked if they think the military's latest campaign will ''succeed in permanently crippling the Abu Sayyaf movement.''
So far, 58 percent have voted yes, while 42 percent voted no. In its disclaimer, CNN.com said the poll was ''not scientific'' and should not be assumed to represent the opinions of all Internet users or of the public.
The Senate last night unanimously passed a resolution expressing support for the military action. Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., who proposed the resolution, said the Abu Sayyaf had given the Philippines ''the blackest of all blackeyes'' and that the military was ''now in control of the situation.''
Vidal
The military assault may be popular but this did not stop Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal from calling for the cessation of offensives against the bandit group. He instead urged a continuation of dialogues and negotiations to achieve peace and harmony in Mindanao.
In his homily during the feast of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva in Danao City, Vidal said Catholic bishops were saddened by the latest developments but were still hopeful that the problem would be resolved through dialogues and negotiations.
Vidal denied media reports that the bishops were supportive of the military action against the Abu Sayyaf.
He said the bishops were against the use of violence that may result in the killing even of those considered as bandits and criminals.
While kidnapping could destabilize the country's political and economic situation, the cardinal said a mistake could not be corrected by a greater mistake.
''As Christians, if we are ready and are capable of killing, how different are we from them? Are we just pretending (to be) Christians?'' he asked.
Dragon
A retired colonel who played a key role in the release of several foreign hostages said the bandits deserved to be punished.
In an interview with radio station dzBB, Ernesto Pacuno, whom chief negotiator Robert Aventajado calls ''Dragon,'' said the Abu Sayyaf had been advised to stop abducting more people ''but they refused to listen.'' ''They deserve this military offensive,'' said Pacuno during the ''Double A sa Double B'' program hosted by Arnold Clavio.
He said that when the foreign hostages who were taken from the Sipadan resort were released, the Abu Sayyaf was told to stop the abductions but the group ''ignored our appeal.''
Although the Abu Sayyaf had ''plenty of firearms,'' Pacuno said the bandits were still not capable of matching the military's firepower.
Pacuno said he got a call from Galib Andang, known by his alias Commander Robot, during the start of the aerial bombardment of Abu Sayyaf camps in Sulu.
''He said we should declare a ceasefire first and resume the negotiations,'' Pacuno said. ''I asked him if he was unharmed. He sounded calm. But our conversation did not last and the line was cut off.''
During their brief cellular phone conversation, Pacuno said he didn't hear any sound of bombs or gunfire from Andang's end.
Overwhelming support
Sen. Francisco Tatad, on the other hand, said he was pleased by the overwhelming support for the President's action. He pointed out that even sectors known to be critical of the President's policies were defending the decision to launch a military attack.
''The usually critical INQUIRER came out with an editorial completely supportive of the (offensive),'' Tatad said.
The Asian Development Bank, one of the country's largest donors, also expressed support for the government's moves. Zhang Yuejiao, ADB deputy director, Programs East, said that it was in the best interest of the Philippines to immediately end the hostage crisis and restore peace and order in Mindanao.
Yuejiao said the ADB also wanted peace restored to ensure the safety of personnel who regularly review 23 ongoing ADB projects.
''We have no plans of suspending any of the projects in the region but we also want to ensure the safety of our staff,'' Yuejiao said.
ASWJ editorial
The Asian Wall Street Journal in its Sept. 18 editorial said the military raid on Abu Sayyaf lairs is ''understandable.'' The editorial, titled ''Gunning for Abu Sayyaf: President Estrada's anti-terrorist action deserves support,'' said Filipinos were ''justifiably fed up'' with the situation and that they supported the military action.
It said that while there were no guarantees that the remaining hostages will be safely released given the military's ''lack of experience,'' the government has apparently calculated that further ransom payments will encourage greater loss in life in the long run while a decisive battle will have a deterrent effect.
''This may rebound on Mr. Estrada, but it is nonetheless a brave political decision,'' AWSJ said. It chided French President Jacques Chirac for expressing opposition to the raid on grounds that it is dangerous for the hostages.
''Of course it is. But Manila cannot be accused of acting precipitously. The government tried negotiations and they went nowhere,'' ASWJ said.
It noted that France made the situation worse by working with Libya to free the European hostages. ''There are potential pitfalls to the military assault, but criticism of the Philippine government by the French president is inappropriate. It is high time that the Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-cash industry is run out of business. If the French don't like the tactics being employed to resolve this unfortunate situation, they might reflect on how their own action have prolonged it,'' it added.
Union censured
A columnist for Hong Kong's South China Morning Post censured the European Union for pressuring Manila not to use force against the Abu Sayyaf when the group was still holding the European hostages abducted from Sipadan.
Philip Bowring said the lack of readiness to resist ransom demands had made the kidnap-for-ransom trade in Southeast Asia lucrative.
''The same people who so often accuse the Philippine government of being weak and incompetent in the face of assorted rebels have been effectively encouraging the rebels to raise the ante,'' he said.
The Muslim community in Maharlika Village, Taguig, expressed support for the ongoing military assault.
Barangay captain Norma Pangandaman said members of her community were outraged by the ''banditry'' of the Abu Sayyaf.
''The military should have launched the assault a long time ago,'' Pangandaman said. But she cautioned the government and the military from using ''excessive force'' to avoid civilian casualties. Unconfirmed reports said hundreds of civilians have been killed or injured in the assault.
Monitoring system
Pangandaman said the community was implementing a ''monitoring system'' and barangay officials were watching closely any suspicious-looking new faces in their neighborhood.
In Bulacan, Supt. Sahirom Salim, chief of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Group, claimed to speak on behalf of his fellow Muslims and said they supported the military's efforts in crushing the Abu Sayyaf.
Salim, a native of Parang, Sulu, said the government should continue the drive until the bandits are killed or placed behind bars. He urged the government not to stop fighting the Abu Sayyaf members even if they are defeated because they would just resume their criminal activities. With reports from Tina Arceo-Dumlao
and Alcuin Papa in Manila; Carmela Reyes, PDI Central Luzon Desk; and Jhunnex Napallacan, PDI Visayas Bureau
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