WAR is sometimes a
"necessary evil." But, it is still evil and it should be avoided at
all cost. In the absence of war, we have peace where growth and development can
prosper. In armed conflicts or violent hostilities – war, whether amongst
political movements and local communities or between nations and allies, will
always be more costly in terms of social disruptions and economic destructions (Abarece, 2013).
The
month of September seemed a frightening commotion to the people in Zamboanga
City as the war outbreaks in the place between the colonial Philippine
occupation soldiers and the Bangsamoro freedom fighters of the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF). Various reports include the city schools, public
offices and businesses closed; food, medicine, toiletries, and other basic
needs supplies running out; thousands stranded as commercial flights and ferry
services were suspended; and at least 60 people have been killed and 52
wounded. Thousands fled their homes as some were used as human shield and
hundreds of houses were burned down to ashes.
Who
will be accountable for the damages and injuries? Who will shoulder the costs
of rebuilding the lives of the thousands of civilian victims? And the biggest
question is, who to be blame? Is it the MNLF or the government or we, the
nature of people?
These
questions bothered many Filipinos not just those who lived in Mindanao. It
occurred because of personal interests and desires to take something from its
enemy. Both the government and the MNLF should ponder about the possible effect
of this conflict. When one request is not granted, a revolution immediately occurred
that produced “War”. War is not the solution to such misunderstandings and
disagreements of disapproved requests because at the end, the innocent people
will be the most affected. Sometimes such mentality of development for one’s
own good delivers undesirable result.
Many would think it’s the MNLF who
to be blame because they started the killings. They did immoral acts to Filipinos
because of their selfishness, yet many of us failed to look on the real reason
why this group plotted this way. The government has also a big part in this
war, especially on the way they responded to the terrorist’s intervention of
asking for a do-or-die battle. Instead of making a process of fixation on the
problem in respect to September 2, 1996 MNLF-OIC-GRP Jakarta Peace Agreements,
the government withheld an off-thinking decision of war. It is the duty of the
government to protect its state that is why they have said they did what is the
best for the nation.
Whoever started or caused it, each
one is accountable to act for peace. Each one has the tendency to think for his
or her self only, but should at the same time consider the majority. The greediness
to power may lead to unhealthy and disastrous living in this world. Instead, of
cooperating and making every necessary action to maintain the harmony, we have
the attitude of wanting war to exist in order to get benefit from it. Thus, we
have no difference to the MNLF who we labeled as selfish people. Taking
advantage of war for one’s own interest is an immature way of looking into it
because this may destroy what is important to us, both family and society.
Whatever is the reason behind
the credulous war in Zamboanga City, one thing is sure it brought no good to
everyone because many lives have lost for such mischievous act. It may shatter
life that will shed tears and blood. This will also hinder each one to live
together in progress for an aim to improve. It is the fact that war need to end
and it will depend on us: MNLF, government, and the people. Pointing fingers
will never solve war, but instead pointing and giving emphasis to peace talk as
well as resolution will do better. Who to be blame? No one knows, yet we have
the right to say and support for PEACE rather than WAR because at the end if
this war will continue, no one will win, both will lose.
.jpeg)
