There are disturbing reports that some Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) elements, obviously taking advantage of the impasse created by the aborted signing of the “ancestral domain” memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain, or MOA-AD, in Kuala Lumpur, have started to grab properties of Christians in Cotabato, where, as of this writing, military intelligence reports indicate that more than 5,000 Christians have already been dispossessed, especially in the municipalities of Aleosan and Midsayap, and are now fleeing the area in fear of Muslim marauders. 

When the President learned about this development, she immediately announced an ultimatum that the MILF forces must withdraw within 24 hours or she will order the Philippine military to go into offensive to recover and protect Christian lands. 

But it was a prudent President who also told the military to inform the international monitoring team of the possible actions the Philippine military might take with regard to the situation.   

As the President has taken a strong position to protect Christian homes and lands in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao areas, she, likewise, ordered that Christians who have formed militias and who are reported to be girding for war should be stopped. 

I admire the President’s intelligent handling of the delicate situation in Mindanao, taking a balanced position by signifying quite clearly that while she is out to protect Christians from marauding Muslims, she also ordered the military to disarm Christian groups if they have no authority to carry firearms. I specifically heard the President say that it is her duty to protect both Christians and Muslims because they are all Filipinos.

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People have been asking me how fast can the Supreme Court rule in connection with the temporary restraining order (TRO) which aborted the MOA signing in Kuala Lumpur. 

My answer is that at the earliest, the Supreme Court will decide probably before the end of this month. I venture this guess because if the oral arguments will proceed as scheduled on August 15, I am almost sure the Court will order the parties to submit their respective memoranda within five days, which is around August 20. 

After that, the Court will deliberate on the submitted memoranda, and after another five days, a decision will be forthcoming. 

At this juncture, the TRO issued by the Supreme Court aborting the MOA signing in Kuala Lumpur will be lifted, assuming that the government’s position in the MOA will be upheld by the Court. 

However, once any decision of the Supreme Court will be final and executory after 15 days, allowing for motions and reconsiderations, the decision of the Supreme Court will become final not later than September, unless the resolution of the Court will already order that the TRO be lifted.

Let us hope that the Supreme Court will be able to issue its ruling within the soonest possible time so that the air in Mindanao is cleared of its present incendiary situation and the road to peace be made passable.

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Amid this volatile atmosphere in Mindanao, I am happy to note that the high priests of the MILF have made very reassuring announcements that the MILF will not pursue and, in fact, has already given up their secessionist ambitions. 

I hope we can trust the words of MILF chief negotiator Mohaqher Iqbal and Moro religious leader Ustadhz Amin Bin Ali Bin Murad that they have already given up their desire for a separate Muslim state, because I would like to warn those who have plans to form a separate Republic that secession is a nonnegotiable issue and that our government under President Arroyo will never allow any dismemberment of any part of the Philippines. 

A Muslim nation can be accepted, but a Muslim state will never be allowed. 

Editorial: A crucial political exercise

The election to be held today in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) bears close watch, as its political significance goes beyond its immediate borders.

Boiled Green Bananas: Rationalizing incentives as alternative to VAT

The public is debating on the value-added tax (VAT). Civil-society groups have been calling for the lifting of the additional 2-percent VAT on all products. Others are limiting themselves to VAT on oil and oil products. Still others demand that the entire 12-percent VAT on all products be removed.

Personal Finance: Pesos and sense

Assume that one day you will go to an appliance store to buy a large electric fan, which sells for P2,000. At the store, you learn that the same fan is on sale for P1,500 at another branch of the store 300 meters away. Would you go to the other branch to buy it at a lower price?

The Entrepreneur: Grand strategy: Farmers at the center

SINCE I started this series of columns on the need for a comprehensive and long-term renaissance program for agriculture, I have discussed several components of a grand strategy to implement that program, namely, conducting an inventory of agricultural resources, corporate farming, agricultural education and revisiting the carabao.

Coast-to-Coast: ‘New China’ takes well-deserved bow

With well-deserved pride, President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China opened the Beijing 2008 Olympics on August 8 in a blaze of glory as it showcased its history from ancient civilization to its rise as a strong and modernizing power in an unprecedented extravaganza involving 15,000 performers and flag-carrying children from China’s 56 ethnic groups.

Reflections from the Mirror: The road to peace

There are disturbing reports that some Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) elements, obviously taking advantage of the impasse created by the aborted signing of the “ancestral domain” memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain,