Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Anti, pro-Arroyo politicians back Basilan attack By Ben O. Tesiorna
BOTH pro and anti-Arroyo officials in the government have expressed their support on the punitive action Basilan province but at the same time called for the government to look deeper into the Mindanao problem.
Senator Panfilo Lacson said it is the duty and obligation of the government to protect the country's territorial integrity thru the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He said the death of the Marine soldiers who died in the Basilan and Sulu clashes must not be wasted.
"I can only hope they didn't die in vain. The government should by all means protect our country's territorial integrity. We only have one AFP and never allow other armed groups, no matter who they are, to deny us peace and security in any part of our country. The full might and power of our duly constituted authorities must prevail over lawless elements," Lacson said.
Mindanaoan senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. on the other hand expressed his sympathy to the Marine soldiers who died in Basilan and Sulu and to their families. He urged the government to look deeper into the Mindanao conflict and not just into crushing the lawless armed groups.
"The soldiers are unnecessary victims in a war that could be ended by adopting federal system of government," Pimentel said.
Davao City Representative Prospero Nograles meanwhile gave his all-out support to the Arroyo administration and the military action being undertaken in Basilan and Sulu.
"The government must act as a sovereign state and suppress lawless elements wherever they may be. It's the duty and obligation of any respectable government, and when it does, it must be ready to take all the consequences and all the collateral damages including the loss of lives of its soldiers whose solemn duty is to protect the State," Nograles said.
Senator Rodolfo Biazon on the other hand said the calls for a stop on the military action in Basilan and Sulu would just put the sacrifice of many soldiers, especially those who died, "meaningless".
"We cannot recall our soldiers back to the barracks and allow the lawless elements to lord it over our people, our communities and our country...We are already short in providing them the means to fight, let us not take away the reasons why they are fighting for this country," Biazon said in a statement.
Biazon, a former AFP chief, said those who questioned the military action "did not understand the situation in the area." He reminded them of the government's need to assert its authority over its territories and communities.
