Probe this bloodbath, Secretary Teodoro
BUSY as he is with the campaign on the new Abu Sayyaf depredations in the southern Philippines, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro should take time to ask his generals about the Black Saturday shootings in Parang, Sulu, that killed eight soldiers and a civilian four months ago.To this day, neither the Armed Forces of the Philippines nor the Department of National Defense has released an official report on the killings that began at 2:30 a.m. in an Army camp housing Charlie Company of the Philippine Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Silangkan, Parang.
On April 8, the Army spokesman, Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr., reported the mass killings as a “shooting incident,” a catchall phrase that could mean anything. He denied that one of the soldiers had gone on a shooting rampage.
A day later, the AFP chief of staff, Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., hinted that “animosities” among the troops may have triggered the shooting, but refused to go further. He said the investigation was in progress.
Since then, we have not heard from the general or his spokesman. The military has not released a single report on the investigation. The public remains in the dark about the mass killings.
The silence has raised speculations and theories about the mysterious deaths. One explanation said a troop had run amuck. Another theory posited that a civilian was refused enlistment and had vented his resentment on the soldiers. The NPA or MNLF could have attacked the camp, went another story. It was reported that a drinking binge preceded the bloodbath. An overnight guest, a woman, is said to have been present at that party.
The public does not even know who headed the investigation. Was there a cover-up? Was there an effort to pass off command responsibility? What’s the big reason for the secrecy?
We have not been told the identities of the fatalities. They remain nameless to this time. We hope the families, at least, were notified. We hope the bodies were given proper burial.
Truth must be told, the guilty punished, and the innocent cleared. We owe the victims and their families justice. Responsibility for the massacre must be located and the episode closed to the satisfaction of everyone. Military honor and tradition will remain tarnished if the Black Saturday Massacre is not fully explained. Clearing the air should be part of Secretary Teodoro’s priorities.
Action, finally, in Darfur
AFTER four years of procrastination, after more than 2.1 million people have been driven into camps, after an estimated 200,000 died from the combined effects of war and famine, and after hundreds of women were raped, the United Nations has started moving to protect civilians and prevent further deaths and destruction in Sudan’s vast, arid western region.
On Tuesday the UN Security Council authorized up to 26,000 soldiers and police officers for Darfur. The mission will take over peacekeeping from 7,000 ill-equipped African Union troops.
The resolution, unanimously adopted, authorizes a UN-AU operation to protect civilians under siege and to ensure the free movement of humanitarian workers. While the resolution acknowledges Sudan’s sovereignty, it allows the use of force for self-defense.
The resolution supports the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement signed by Khartoum with the main Darfur rebel groups more than a year ago. Two of the other negotiating rebel factions refused to endorse the deal.
It urges Sudan and rebel groups to commit themselves to a permanent ceasefire and to join peace talks under AU-UN auspices.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon described the resolution as “historic and unprecedented” and said the mission would make a “clear and positive difference.” Ban has made Darfur a priority since taking over as UN chief last January.
US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad urged President Omar Hassan al-Bashir to extend “maximum cooperation” but warned that if Sudan does not comply, Washington “will move for the swift adoption of unilateral and multilateral measures.”
If fully deployed, the mission will be the biggest peacekeeping operation in the world. The troop strength will depend on the willingness of UN members to contribute troops, police and materials.
The Philippines should make a contribution to the humanitarian mission and contribute troops to the peacekeeping army.
Peace in Darfur, Sudan and the African continent is in the interest of the Filipinos. Providing troops, supporting pro-Darfur resolutions at the UN and helping end repression anywhere will help advance our democratic ideals and promote world peace and prosperity.
