Honasan: GMA’s
DDR won’t work
Doubts MILF will agree to disarm

BY DENNIS GADIL

SEN. Gregorio Honasan yesterday said the government’s new policy of disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation (DDR) in re-negotiating peace with the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front would only further slow down the peace process.

Honasan, a former military colonel and leader military coups against the Aquino administration in the late 80’s, said laying down of arms as precondition for resuming peace talks is always difficult for rebels.

"Kung ikaw ‘yung rebelde at sinabihan ka ng AFP na mag-disarm, makikipag-usap ka pa ba? Sa mga panahon ngayon, hindi na puwede ‘yung hardline position," he said.

He said when his group, the Reformed the AFP Movement, negotiated a peace deal with the Ramos government, they found it difficult to get their rebel returnee benefits.

Honasan said as part of the peace deal, they surrendered their weapons, including light anti-tank weapons.

"Actually, nag-disarm kami noon. Kaya nangyari paiyakan ang (pagkuha ng) rebel returnee benefits namin," he said.

He said asking the MILF rebels to put down arms is like "pulling out their teeth and then inviting them to eat."

He maintained adopting a hard line policy like the DDR is no guarantee that no more armed rebel groups would emerge.

Honasan said while he believes the combined strength of the PNP and the AFP could effectively deal with the MILF, an all-out war should always be the last resort.

"Assuming nakapatay ka ng ilang dosenang commander, kalahati may mga anak na 12 (years old) ngayon, in five years time 17 years old na yan, sila rin ang papalit. Palalalimin lang ang sugat," he said.

The government last week said it would continue peace negotiations with the secessionist group but the priority is DDR over any other agenda. The policy change followed the government’s decision not to sign a memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain which will create a Muslim homeland.

The constitutionality of the controversial agreement is under question at the Supreme Court.

The government has also dissolved the government panel in the peace negotiations with the MILF.

Honasan said parameters of the talks should be first laid out on the table before any deal is hammered out to avoid the same mistakes committed by the now defunct panel.

Referring to the proposed Muslim homeland, Honasan said: "Parameters like these deal should not violate the Constitution. Hindi ka puwede magkaroon ng sariling teritoryo, hindi ka pwede may sariling army, bandera sapagkat iisa ang republika ng Pilipinas."

PEACE DOCUMENT

Honasan said the government peace negotiators could have drawn guidelines or parameters from the two-inch thick peace document prepared by the late Haydee Yorac when she headed the National Unification Commission during the Ramos years.

The NUC document was on how a comprehensive national peace settlement could be advanced.

He said the document was used in the government’s peace negotiation with the RAM but it cannot be located. He said the Yorac body spent some P12 million for the research and study of the NUC document.

NO POLITICIANS

Honasan said aside from adopting a less hard-line position, politicians should be told to stay away from the peace process.

Suggestions have been made on the inclusion of politicians in peace negotiations with the MILF.

The peace talks deteriorated after the signing of the MOA on August 5 was cancelled because of a temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court.

The delay in the peace process, according to MILF leaders, triggered attacks by its ground commanders in North Cotabato in July and Lanao del Norte last month.

The military launched an offensive operation launched August 18 with the MILF leadership’s refusal to surrender its renegade commanders to the government.

OJT FOR PNP RECRUITS

Last Friday, the government doubled the bounty offer to P10 million each for information leading to the capture of Commanders Umbra Kato and Bravo. It also put up a P5 million for Commander Aleem Pangalian who is said to have helped Bravo in attacking Iligan City and four towns of Lanao del Norte on August 17.

The PNP has sent an additional 1,000 policemen to Mindanao to help in the pursuit operations.

PNP chief Avelino Razon Jr. said the 1,000 new recruits are on their "on the job training" phase.

Last week, the PNP dispatched some 3,500 policemen to help maintain peace and order in parts of Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato and other vulnerable areas.

"These recruits will be assigned in critical police stations," Razon said.

Razon warned residents against arming themselves or forming vigilante groups to capture the three commanders.

"Huhulihin namin sila kung patuloy ang ganitong activities," he said.