August 24, 2009, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Op-Ed, ‘MILF territory’—are we a failed state?, by Ramon J. Farolan,

August 24, 2009, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Op-Ed, ‘MILF territory’—are we a failed state?, by Ramon J. Farolan,

You come across the phrase "MILF territory," or "MILF-controlled territory" in many reports on Mindanao. The recent ambush of Philippine Marines in Basilan took place during passage through "MILF territory." According to news reports, the Western Mindanao commander, Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, coordinated the movement of reinforcement troops through "MILF territory," and this was where we sustained the most casualties in the recent fighting as the Marines were ambushed by MILF elements. It was as though we practically laid the ground for an ambush by revealing such a vital troop movement in support of units that were engaging the Abu Sayyaf.

Did we really think the MILF would not come to the assistance of the Abu Sayyaf? It is difficult to imagine how we could make such a disastrous miscalculation about the MILF after all our experiences in dealing with them in Mindanao. We paid a heavy price for being too trusting and letting our guard down. The other question is: Do our officers now recognize "MILF territory"?

More than 10 years ago, the late Gen. Arturo Enrile publicly declared that the MILF is the biggest threat to the country's security. He described the MILF as having a one-track mind, desiring Mindanao for itself with the objective of establishing a truly Islamic government in the Bangsa Moro homeland. According to the late MILF chairman, Hashim Salamat, the configuration of the territory of the Bangsa Moro State may be subject to negotiation. But what is non-negotiable is the setting up of an Islamic government in this homeland.

As we push forward with peace negotiations, in the face of all the insincerity and treachery shown by the MILF--some people characterize the recent ambush as the "isolated" actions of a lost command--the MILF continues to expand its territorial boundaries, gaining strength in numbers and firepower. In our desire for peace at all costs, we have pursued a policy of restraint, a policy of appeasement that has created a monster that grows stronger and will be more difficult to confront in the years ahead. Make no mistake, the MILF reads the desire for peace talks as a sign of weakness, and they have no intention of stepping back from the objective of an independent homeland.

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Some interesting notes from Wikipedia. The term "failed state" describes a state "perceived as having failed at some of the basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government." The following attributes are often used to characterize a failed state:

"Loss of physical control of its territory, or of the monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force therein." (We have lost physical control of parts of our territory, and we do not have the monopoly on the use of physical force in that area. In fact we are now in the position of having to ask permission from the MILF to pass through their territory, resulting in grave consequences to our troops.)

"Erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions."

"An inability to provide reasonable public services." (The government is no longer able to guarantee the security of ordinary citizens working in the area.)

"An inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community."

"The common characteristics of a failing state include a central government so weak or ineffective that it has little control over its territory; non-provision of public services; widespread corruption and criminality; refugees and involuntary movement of populations; and sharp economic decline."

Since 2005, a Failed State Index (FSI) has been published annually by the US think tank, Fund for Peace, an independent Washington, D.C.-based non-profit research and educational organization founded in 1957. The FSI rates a nation?s relative stability based on social, economic and political indicators such as demographic pressures, presence of refugees, uneven economic development and use of factionalized elites.

The FSI has four categories: (1) Alert; (2) Warning; (3) Moderate; and (4) Sustainable. The list for 2009 includes 177 states. The Philippines is No. 53 in the ?Warning? category, at about the same level as Cambodia.

For people in Luzon and the Visayas, particularly those in the urban centers, the idea of the Philippines being a failed state may sound ridiculous. But if one examines closely the indicators of a failed state, as regards Mindanao, the situation there may not give us much comfort.

It is late in the day for some very difficult decisions. Unfortunately, nothing will happen until after the 2010 elections when, hopefully, a new leadership will emerge that will be willing to look at other options.

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Command responsibility. In April 1995, Abu Sayyaf elements raided the peaceful town of Ipil on the western coast of Zamboanga del Sur. After burning and razing to the ground the entire four blocks of the town?s commercial center, killing 53 people including the local police chief and the commander of the Army?s 10th Infantry Battalion, they took some 13 civilians as hostages, using them as protective shields in their withdrawal.

In the aftermath of what was considered as the deadliest assault by Muslim rebels since the burning of Jolo in 1974, President Fidel V. Ramos sacked the newly installed Southcom chief, Brig. Gen. Regino Lacson, and the commander of the Army?s 102nd Infantry Brigade, Col. Roberto Santiago. Reggie Lacson held one of the best service records in his batch, and was considered a top candidate for AFP chief of staff. But the Ipil disaster brought into play the concept of command responsibility, spelling the end of a promising career.

The tragedy in Basilan appears to be a repeat of what happened in July 2007 when Marines were ambushed by MILF/Abu Sayyaf elements. It is important that the Armed Forces determines command responsibility for the latest incident. This provides a test of leadership for the military organization. More than any institution in government, we must show by example what is now being stressed to cadets at the Philippine Military Academy?that rank carries with it, not just privileges but more important, heavy responsibilities that often involve the lives of our fellow soldiers.