DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Cojuangco Teodoro Jr., or Gibo to his friends and colleagues, has nothing but good plans for Mindanao.

In his almost two years as defense chief, Gibo said he has crafted a plan aimed at achieving peace in Mindanao.

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He will start by disarming all armed individual and groups that are not sanctioned by the government. Though he could not promise that disarming civilians would immediately result in peace, Gibo said it would somehow prevent armed violence from erupting abruptly.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino Razon Jr. earlier said loose firearms, mostly high-powered and in the hands of threat groups and criminal elements, are estimated at 21,496 as of December 2008.

He said the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (Salw) has made it difficult to end the twin insurgency of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and New People’s Army (NPA). This does not include the firearms in the hands of al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Citing reports from the Philippine National Police (PNP) on threat groups, Razon said the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) has the highest number of loose firearms at 5,179; followed by Central Mindanao, 2,984; Northern Mindanao, 1,737; Davao Provinces, 1,109; Southwestern Mindanao, 750; Eastern Visayas, 698; Cordillera Autonomous Region, 501; Western Visayas, 479; Bicol Region, 448; Central Visayas, 390; Caraga Region, 381; Southern Tagalog, 351; Central Luzon, 278; Region 4B, 179;, Cagayan Valley, 126; Ilocos Region, 55; and National Capital Region, 31.

Armm also topped the list of the most number of loose firearms in the hands of criminal elements at 1,440; followed by Western Visayas, 630; Cagayan Valley and Central Visayas at 580 apiece; Northern Mindanao, 490; Central Mindanao, 360; Central Mindanao, 360; Central Luzon, 320; Cordillera, 270; Cagayan Valley, 190; Caraga, 180; Bicol Region, 160; National Capital Region, 140; Southwestern Mindanao, 80; Southern Tagalog, 60; Region 4B and Davao provinces, 30 apiece; and Eastern Visayas, 20.

Teodoro said the Armed Forces of the Philippines also lack personnel and there is a need to hire more soldiers to replace paramilitary groups.

"Nakikita natin sa Sarangani at sa Central Mindanao na kung kelangang lumisan ng ating mga kawal ay natatakot ang mga tao. Kelangang dagdagan natin ang ating mga kawal. Hindi para gumawa ng opensiba laban sa mga kalaban, kung hindi maging balakid sa anti-society or anti-government forces. At pag dumami ang sundalo, babawas ang abuso pagkat ang sundalo ay hindi takot na sila ay mapipinsala dahil kokonti sila," he said.

"Ngunit dahil sa kakulangan natin sa kawal ay we resort to paramilitary, yung mga Cafgu (Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit). I think that is wrong. We need to have trained and accountable soldiers. How long will they stay there? Probably for a very long time. It’s not easy to change attitude and values. We may have a typical peace which will now lead to disdain for violence and just political action. Pero dapat may gobyernong mag-mediate. That is the only practicable idea. The only thing that will work based on my experience," he added.

On the peace process with the MILF, Gibo said the “peace process must be combined with massive military presence”.

"How come? Because if the armed force is not there in force ay wala ding mangyayari. Alongside peace processes, we have to build our institution of peace. If not, we will keep on bargaining away parts of our Constitution until such time we will have no more to bargain," he said.

"You have to solve it one way or another. May left and right way yan. Yung tactical aspect ay hindi dapat ipagsabi yan. Pero dapat yung president ay may strong will d’yan. Kung sabihin nila na part of their culture na ang baril, kung noong panahon ay part din ng culture ang head-hunting ibig sabihin ba ay papayagan din natin silang mamugot ng ulo hanggang ngayon?" Gibo added.

Latecomer

On the 2010 presidential race, Gibo is considered the latecomer with his declaration made only early this year. To this, Gibo however finds no problem.

"From the last comes the best. Kidding aside, it is because only now that support for my candidacy has gelled to critical mass. I would have not done it were it not for a lot of influential people telling me to run. Halos lahat ng gobernador, local leaders, congressmen, industry players say that I have the competence, I have the experience, and I have the vision for this country. For me leadership is based on the quality of people that’s supporting you," he said.

Asked why he is aiming for the highest position so soon when he could have settled for the Senate or vice presidency, Gibo said the presidency “is the only position where I feel I can do something and contribute something concrete and tangible. Amid the sacrifice that I have to make, at my age, with the other options that are available, it is the only worthwhile thing doing.”

"I will not accept the vice presidency. I'm seeking the presidency. It is the only position that I'm seeking at the crossroads of my life. I've been working since I was 15 years old in various capacities. I'm on my 29th year of active involvement in politics," he added.

Being the favorite nephew of business tycoon Danding Cojuangco, Gibo is born with a silver spoon in his mouth. This, many perceived, could be a debacle for him to get the much-needed support of the masses.

Gibo said that despite his being part of the elite, his heart still belongs to the masses.