WHILE the standoff between Philippine military forces and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) continues in Zamboanga City, Vice President Jejomar Binay took his share of the spotlight, after his failed attempt to negotiate for a ceasefire.
ate a peaceful settlement (through his connection with former MNLF chairman Nur Misuari), and to free the hostages.
However, his actions might have made matters worse.
The Vice-President flew to the war-torn province last Friday to mediate a truce between government troops and the moro rebels.
Following his talks with Misuari’s camp, VP Binay announced (through GMA News) that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and former MNLF chairman Nur Misuari have agreed on a ceasefire in Zamboanga City.
But by Saturday morning, a raging firefight still ensued between the warring forces. MNLF did not issue any public statement to end the exchange, while Zamboanga local police reiterated that there’s no order of ceasefire.
Following his interference, VP Binay said that his efforts failed because both parties disagreed on the terms and conditions of the settlement.
Some reports said that Misuari wanted his men to walk away scot-free, in exchange for the hostages’ freedom.
On the other hand, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said that no ceasefire can be had while the moro rebels continue to shoot at his troops.
“The Vice-President is sad that his efforts to secure the release of the hostages in Zamboanga City did not prosper. Both the MNLF and the Philippine government wanted peace, but there were terms set that were not acceptable. The Vice President asks everyone to pray for the safety of the hostages and for peace in Zamboanga City,” said Binay’s spokesperson Joey Salgado.
The Vice-President left Zamboanga City on Saturday evening.
VP Binay’s efforts would have gained him a warm welcome upon his return to Manila. He drew flak from netizens instead.
In various social networking websites, the Vice-President was criticized for attempting to intervene in the Zamboanga City crisis. Some even accused him of trying to generate publicity for his presidency bid in 2016.
However, VP Binay insists that every step he took was given the green light by President Benigno S. Aquino III.
“It’s just an advice or a recommendation. It’s the President who makes the decisions,” he stressed in his interview with ABS-CBN News.
VP Binay said he assured President Aquino that he trusted Misuari, who is his former classmate in the University of the Philippines.
He also maintained that he only pushed for a peaceful settlement for the safe release of hostages and in order to avoid further bloodshed.
“Ako kaya lang naman ako nag-advise para magkaroon ng pagkakataon na mai-save natin at malagay natin sa safety ang mga hostages. Kasi the fact is may mga hostages at may mga civilians who can be caught in the crossfire—who might die or get injured. ’Yon ang primary intention ko do’n,” VP Binay said in a statement on Monday.
“Obviously there is a determined effort by a politically-motivated group to conduct black propaganda against the Vice President,” said Salgado in VP Binay’s defense.
The Vice-President also said that negative posts against him that are circulating online came from just one group to “make it appear that many people have similar sentiments.”
With the death toll reaching a hundred, thousands of residents displaced and not a clear resolution in sight, the last thing the Zamboanga crisis needs is further interference.
While Malacañang acknowledges VP Binay’s efforts, they strictly advise that only authorized government agencies deal with the situation, in order to avoid further conflict which could endanger more lives.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek September 18 – 20, 2013 Sec A pg.6)
