Tags: Basilan

By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo Streetwise | BusinessWorld The shrill call to wage “all-out war”, in reaction to the overwhelming defeat of a platoon of special action forces on a mission to “arrest” a rebel Moro commander in Basilan, is nothing but pure hogwash. For one it is obvious, except to the military top brass and to…

By BENJIE OLIVEROS
The presence of US troops exemplifies and strengthens US domination of the Philippines. When the Philippines was named as “the coordinating country” of the US in its dealings with the Asean, it meant that Manila could be counted on to promote US interests not only in the country but in the whole region.

“It is difficult for our brothers and sisters in the war-torn areas of Basilan to observe one of the important pillars of Islam when the guns and bombs of the Philippine Army are aimed at them,” said Amirah Ali Lidasan, national president of the Suara Bangsamoro party. She added that Moro civilians are vulnerable to…