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Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Editorials: Gwen’s all-out war v. rebels
An all-out effort is "complete and whole-hearted."
An all-out war against communist NPAs has a host of objectives: defeat armed insurgents, win over civilian sympathizers, and reduce poverty, oppression, and ignorance that help breed rebellion.
It requires a lot more than M16s and tanks, waged intensively and steadily until it is won.
The catchphrase all-out war, coming from politicians, used to be not taken seriously.
How many all-out wars have been declared by public officials bent on wooing popular support?
All-out war against this or that: almost anything, from poverty and injustice (a favorite) to bootleg DVDs (on and off), to corruption and dengue (seasonal).
Why then are militant organizations so heated up about Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia's declaration of an all-out war against rebels?
Aside from the habit of picking almost any popular cause, militant groups must see a real threat.
Fits in
Gwen's war fits in with national policy earlier declared by President Arroyo to defeat the NPAs and international policy of US President George W. Bush to crush terrorism wherever it thrives.
Two billion pesos from US and the Philippines poured into the war chest has put big money into where the mouth is.
Activists must have also considered Gwen. So far, she appears to mean what she says. She uses slogans but she seems to live them.
Mrs. Arroyo and the governor have been singled out by activists who prefer them to generals because they forge policy and can inflict more damage than the military.
That, aside from their being perfect subjects of caricatures and other protest devices.
Other concerns
Core of this fresh thrust against rebels, however, is still to be seen. Beyond public, on-camera pledges of barangay captains and town mayors, nothing much has been done.
But it may be more than slooganeering or outburst of "utok nga pulvora" (roughly, gunpowder brain).
Their war cry cannot be dismissed lightly. People who don't march on the streets---too busy making a living to find time to carry placards---wonder if an all-out war won't hurt other concerns, especially economic well-being.
The public also wishes to see a well-thought-out policy against rebellion.
How can they battle against armed rebels and yet coddle, even fund, pro-rebels lurking behind NGOs: in Congress and other state agencies?
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 2, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
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