I just got back from my shoot in Cotabato City for my new documentary. Everywhere I go there conversations always strayed to three topics: the death of action hero Rudy Fernandez, the abduction of TV host Ces Drilon and her companions in Sulu, and the possibility of an impending war in Moroland.
In the radio news this morning, residents of two villages in Aleosan, Cotabato Province, started evacuating after they sighted the movement of about 200 armed men, believed to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a few nights ago. Cotabato vice-governor Manny Pinol also reported the massive procurement of rice and high caliber fire arms by the MILF as a preparation for the war. MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu, in an interview, confirmed Pinol's report.
Residents, CSOs, government people and students are praying for the resumption of the peace process despite their unanimous opinion that the GRP and MILF have really hit a snag. It's so big that divine intervention alone won't solve it. It needs the collective action of all people whose lives, honor and future are continuously put at risk because of this cycle of violence.
Giant streamers welcome visitors to Cotabato entering through Quirino Bridge. Emblazoned in the heavy yellow cloth are the words: "One objective, one vision. Bangsamoro Unite!" Or something like that. One could easily dismiss the message as something not to worry about, but the call for unity comes from the MILF's politico-military chief Gadzali Jaafar. The words are somehow portentous, warning, no, enjoining the people to prepare for war.
In the radio news this morning, residents of two villages in Aleosan, Cotabato Province, started evacuating after they sighted the movement of about 200 armed men, believed to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a few nights ago. Cotabato vice-governor Manny Pinol also reported the massive procurement of rice and high caliber fire arms by the MILF as a preparation for the war. MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu, in an interview, confirmed Pinol's report.
Residents, CSOs, government people and students are praying for the resumption of the peace process despite their unanimous opinion that the GRP and MILF have really hit a snag. It's so big that divine intervention alone won't solve it. It needs the collective action of all people whose lives, honor and future are continuously put at risk because of this cycle of violence.
Giant streamers welcome visitors to Cotabato entering through Quirino Bridge. Emblazoned in the heavy yellow cloth are the words: "One objective, one vision. Bangsamoro Unite!" Or something like that. One could easily dismiss the message as something not to worry about, but the call for unity comes from the MILF's politico-military chief Gadzali Jaafar. The words are somehow portentous, warning, no, enjoining the people to prepare for war.
0 comments:
Post a Comment