(February 22-29)

In negotiation nothing is agreed until it is agreed and signed by the parties. This is a forewarning to those who are too overconfident in seeing the final breakthrough in the current GPH-MILF Peace Talks. Simple message system (SMS) or texts are circulating around that the government has already agreed to grant substate to the Moros in Mindanao, and more seriously, the Oman Times, quoting Mohagher Iqbal, chairperson of the MILF peace panel, reported that President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III had already agreed to that demand of the MILF. This report was bluntly denied by Iqbal, saying he was never interviewed by said newspaper nor has he ever made that claim. “It is unfair to the President in attributing this statement to him,” he said.

(February 15-21)

No doubt, MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari has a definite place in the history of Moro revolutionary struggle in Mindanao. He is the lead founder of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the main star in the popularization of the moniker “Moro” and the internationalization of the Moro issue. These are facts that we can easily concede. But a word of counsel, he cannot claim sole credit for these things. There were many men and women who shared this achievement --- many of whom were long dead and gone.

(February 8-14)

It is always bad to kidnap anybody, whether locals or foreigners. It is an unconscionable act that deserved to be denounced and condemned in the highest degree. But when foreigners are the victims, it becomes doubly difficult, because sometimes it is linked with the issue of international terrorism. It feeds into the appetite of those who want the conflict in Mindanao attached to the global war on terrorism.

(February 1-7)

President Benigno Aquino III is faced with a difficult job of balancing Philippines’ relations with the United States and China, the two superpowers now. But it appears this is cracking up and a tip to the side of the former is inevitable and underway. Perhaps, he realized – or is forced – that “when the elephants clash the ants hide away,” so to speak.