Mamasapano incident to affect peace talks adversely: Dabawenyos

By Cheneen R. Capon
Majority of Dabawenyos believe that the death of the 44 members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25 will adversely affect the ongoing peace process between the government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
A survey conducted by the Institute Public Opinion (IPO) of the University of Mindanao (UM) showed that of the 1,241 respondents, 84 percent said the Mamasapano incident will have a negative effect on the peace process.
Adrian Tamayo, UM-IPO’s specialist on economics, government, and political issues, said the respondents were systematically chosen from three congressional districts of Davao City.
He told reporters that only 12 percent of the respondents are optimistic that the incident will have little effect on the peace negotiations and on the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
Only four percent of the total respondents, meanwhile, said the incident will not affect the peace process.
Speaking during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex, Tamayo said 49 percent of the respondents were saddened by the incident as many lives were lost, while 34 percent were outraged
“Perhaps they have observed the disregard of the sanctity of life of the men in uniform who risked their lives to keep the ordinary person safe from the horrors of terrorism,” he said.
Tamayo said 15 percent felt hopeless about what’s going on in Mindanao. Only two percent expressed gratitude for the great sacrifice of the 44 SAF commandos
Meanwhile, nine out of 10 Dabawenyos said former Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisma should be blamed for the incident, while 8 out of 10 believed that SAF Director Getulio Napeñas is to be blamed because “he did not coordianate and follow the chain of command that resulted in the great loss of lives.”
The survey also said MILF should be also blamed, while 7 in every 10 believed the rivalry between PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines was at fault.
Six in 10 believed President Benigno Aquino, being the commander-in-chief, is also to blame for the tragedy.
Dabawenyos were also asked for their opinion on the perceived reasons why a go-signak was given even if it was almost a suicide mission.
“Nine in every 10 revealed that the reward money could have motivated the higher ups to risk the lives of the commandos,” Tamayo said.
He said four in every 10 believed that if it goes successful, Purisima will earn the compliments needed for his return to the helm of PNP leadership after serving a suspension.
On the other hand 4 out of 10 believe that the operations is just plainly to get the terrorist; 3 in 10 perceived that the go-signal proceeded from an actionable information.
He said that other respondents are “a little bit doomsayers because 2 in 10 believed it was intended to spoil the peace process wgile one in 10 said that it was done to earn money from war.”
“This only means the psyche of Dabawanyos are not the same with those from Manila who wanted an all-out war,” he said. “Dabawenyos are not easily driven by emotion, they are thinking before speaking”. CRC