A critical look at the Jolo blasts

It was a deathly terror attack, nothing else. The twin bombing of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu was brought about by crazed, cynical mass murderers. Vile treachery and ignominy are depictive of the killers behind this act of terror. People go to Sunday Mass for peace and solace, but were faced by explosions designed to terrorize and, by the strategic position of the second bomb — right at the path of the crowd escaping loss of life — ensured maximum damage and loss of life. Bombs were filled with shrapnel, so that those not within the radius of the blast would still fall prey.

“The rejection is considered merely a symbolic gesture… since Sulu will still be included in BARMM for being previously part of the ARMM.

Photos of the crime scene would upset anyone’s stomach. I personally saw some of the heartbreaking photos of deceased individuals and mutilated bodies. I cannot imagine how anyone would intend this to happen. With at least 22 killed and more than a 100 wounded, questions on motive remain unanswered. President Rodrigo Duterte was correct to be enraged with what happened and I pray that the perpetrators are eventually caught by the authorities.

The government is doing its part with the lockdown of Sulu and the initial identification of the suspects seen on CCTV, who are said to be members of the Abu Sayyaf Ajang-Ajang Group.

In a TV interview, Sulu 1st District Caretaker Rep. Jericho “Koko” Nograles of the PBA Partylist (in lieu of deceased Sulu 1st District Rep. Tupay Loong, who passed away in 2016), clarified that Sulu is not in total lockdown as businesses have resumed operations. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said that a woman may have been behind the first blast and a man set off the second bomb, which caused more damage. With all the information coming in, it is best for us to trust the authorities and pray that those being treated in the hospitals are able to recover quickly.

Now, may I distract from this horrific scene and ask you to think critically — what is the relation of this to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) plebiscite? We are unsure, but we do know that Sulu is one of the more vocal jurisdictions affected by this momentous piece of legislation. If we may recall, Sulu voted “No” to reject the BARMM — 163,500 voted against the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), while 137,630 voted for it. However, the rejection is considered merely a symbolic gesture, there being no effect, since Sulu will still be included in BARMM for being previously part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Imagine if the blasts took place a week earlier or on the Sunday before the first plebiscite held on 21 January. Then, the plebiscite might not have pushed through at all due to widespread violence. This being so, one may conclude that the intent for the blast may be unrelated to the BARMM at all and was meant to wreak terror in the area. Regardless, the effects will still be felt in the upcoming plebiscite on 6 February and, more importantly, at the formation of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

The BOL was done through the efforts of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the MILF are expected to hold key positions in the BARMM. Left out was the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), led by Nur Misuari, who hails from Sulu and supported by Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan. Malacañang denied that the MNLF has anything to do with the terror attack.

In a Palace briefing, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo made it clear that it is unfair to speculate on this, because Misuari was never seen as a threat to the BOL, as his disagreement was merely a matter of preference: Misuari preferred Federalism over BARMM.

But the elephant has been pushed into the room and the President now has a golden opportunity to reconcile differences and settle wild speculations. The best move perhaps is to come up with a BTA that encompasses the different interests in Muslim Mindanao, including that of Misuari and Gov. Tan — the latter even filed a petition before the Supreme Court in an attempt to derail the BOL. In the days leading to the second plebiscite, we will see the mettle of Malacañang in how determined it is to see this through.

As for the 6 February plebiscite, Mindanaoans must be wary of the possibility of another terror attack, despite the existence and continuation of martial law in the area. The areas where voting will be held — North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte — may be considered “hotspots” by the Commission on Elections and military presence should be beefed up. All forces must ensure that the BARMM push through; otherwise, peace will never be realized in this region.