During last Thursday’s Senate hearing on Mamasapano incident, Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao reacted emotionally after Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano branded the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as ‘terrorist’ for using arms and violence in pursuance of its struggle for right-to-self-determination in Moro homeland.
Sen. Cayetano, directed his statements to MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, condemning what he called ‘use of violence’ by the rebel group.
“I don’t deny the injustice done to the Bangsamoro people, what I’m saying is that while people in Luzon and Visayas were victims of war too, the MILF and its rebellion have victimized their fellow residents in Mindanao. If only you hadn’t chosen to use violence in your struggle for self-determination, Mindanao would have been a place of equality. But you chose to retaliate not only with the use of violence or arm struggle, but also terrorist acts like bombing, arson and destruction.”
Sen. Cayetano continued by quoting Sec. Deles of OPAOPP who said that, “because of the ceasefire, roads are now being built in Mindanao.”
“Do we have to thank you because of this when you are the ones preventing the construction and burning the equipment of contractors and those who are building schools, dams and irrigations in Mindanao?”, Sen. Cayetano asked.
Isn’t that fair for our negotiations because you’re negotiating through the barrels of the guns, we are not,” Cayetano added.
Upon hearing this, RG Hataman asked to be recognized and said, “When it comes to the topic of terrorism, I am not siding with the MILF. But my question is, did we tag the NPA as terrorists when they burn equipment? If they resort to bombing, does the government tag them as terrorists?
Cayetano clarified that he was not just referring to the Moros or Muslims, pointing out that there are also Christian terrorists.
“I’m talking about this MILF and their choice to use arms. You did not choose to use arms. You chose to run and you’re doing a good job…” he said.
http://www.luwaran.net/index.php/welcome/item/769-senator-cayetano-tags-milf-as-terrorist-rg-hataman-reacts
“I don’t deny the injustice done to the Bangsamoro people, what I’m saying is that while people in Luzon and Visayas were victims of war too, the MILF and its rebellion have victimized their fellow residents in Mindanao. If only you hadn’t chosen to use violence in your struggle for self-determination, Mindanao would have been a place of equality. But you chose to retaliate not only with the use of violence or arm struggle, but also terrorist acts like bombing, arson and destruction.”
Sen. Cayetano continued by quoting Sec. Deles of OPAOPP who said that, “because of the ceasefire, roads are now being built in Mindanao.”
“Do we have to thank you because of this when you are the ones preventing the construction and burning the equipment of contractors and those who are building schools, dams and irrigations in Mindanao?”, Sen. Cayetano asked.
Isn’t that fair for our negotiations because you’re negotiating through the barrels of the guns, we are not,” Cayetano added.
Upon hearing this, RG Hataman asked to be recognized and said, “When it comes to the topic of terrorism, I am not siding with the MILF. But my question is, did we tag the NPA as terrorists when they burn equipment? If they resort to bombing, does the government tag them as terrorists?
Cayetano clarified that he was not just referring to the Moros or Muslims, pointing out that there are also Christian terrorists.
“I’m talking about this MILF and their choice to use arms. You did not choose to use arms. You chose to run and you’re doing a good job…” he said.
http://www.luwaran.net/index.php/welcome/item/769-senator-cayetano-tags-milf-as-terrorist-rg-hataman-reacts
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