Despite of the efforts of the peace groups to stop the violence in Basilan, it seems that there is a looming war in the war-torn island. Thousands have already left their homes, fearing that they might be trapped in the crossfire.

Although the court has released the arrest warrants for the killers of the 14 Marine soldiers, yet they (police) don’t have idea how do the suspects look like. Let’s hope that no more fall guys, again. Although this has been the trend, let’s keep our fingers crossed. Like in the past, suspected Abu Sayyaf members were picked up but in the end they turned out to be fall guys.

Again, this is another pattern of violence. Not just in Basilan, but also the in the entire Mindanao.

Sun.Star: Pattern seen in Basilan crisis
By Ryan Rosauro
(1st of two parts)

The pattern leading to the all-out war of 2000 has become apparent in the current Basilan crisis that has the potential of pitting once again the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in armed hostilities unless both are willing to settle things in the negotiating table. Just like seven years ago, the string of events start with the commission of a high-profile crime, which is attributed to the rebel group. A word war erupts between the AFP and MILF leaderships. Government pursues legal charges against the suspects meantime as the emotionalism of the event is used to drum up blame.

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