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Monday, February 2, 2015

Fallen 44 - What If

The nation was again greeted with a horrible news last 25th of January 2015. Another big blow to our military personnel, 44 PNP-SAF men were brutally killed in a clash with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province. This is the nth time that such encounter between AFP soldiers and MILF groups; but this time around a heavy toll on our soldiers.



My heart bled for the soldiers' families and love ones. Some questions linger in my mind and needs some answers. Were the lives of the Fallen 44 enough compensation just to achieve PEACE in Mindanao? When will these bloody encounters in Mindanao finally meet its end? How many more families will grief and find sorrows upon losing their love ones? Questions without definite answers for the time being.

In the search for answers, I content answering a question, which have three logical answers. Going back to the topic at hand, WHAT IF?



What if..
The failed military operation was carefully planned and executed? Would the outcome be reversed? To what I've gathered, President Aquino and a few of his trusted knew of the operations from the very start. Was this a 'secret' military action? A number of high ranking field commanders were left out in the drawing board. Did they send elite SAF forces? Perhaps, but a more battle-tested PNP personnel should have gone there instead. Were the 300+ men enough to do the job? Is the number enough to counter enemy resistance? I guess not. How about you?

What if...
There is full coordination between our forces and the MILF group? The incident happened in a hostile territory controlled by the Muslim. What if the MILF group didn't join the fray? I do believe there would be a few or no casualties at all between both parties.

What if...
The peace agreement have been formally signed and in effect long before this encounter took place? I am so sure, peace reign over the region and military aggression would be a thing of the past.

But these IFs are now water under the bridge. The damage had been done and lives were lost. Echoes of war will still be in the air. More collateral damages would be exhausted. Peace talks would be on the brink of collapse.

But for now, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the Fallen 44. Justice must be served. Let every Pilipino aim that peace in Mindanao be achieve.

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