By BENJIE OLIVEROS
Analysis
Bulatlat.com

The US has finally caught up with Osama Bin Laden, its number one enemy and its former ally. It could be remembered that the US helped build up, arm and strengthen Osama’s forces during the Afghan people’s war against Russian occupation, but later became its number one enemy. In other words, the US helped create al-Queda, which became its worst enemy afterwards.

What Osama Bin Laden was accused of masterminding, the 9-11 attacks that killed around 3,000 people, is reprehensible and could not be justified no matter what his reasons were for doing it. But what the US did in retaliation, last Sunday night, and the message it has been sending afterwards also raise a lot of questions.

First, it was obviously a kill mission. It was only after the Obama administration was criticized for ordering a kill mission did it say that it was a kill or capture mission. But the US also admitted that Osama Bin Laden was unarmed when shot at and killed by US Navy SEALS forces.

Worse, it was revealed that only one from among the five killed in the raid was armed and fired a shot. The question is, was Osama Bin Laden tried in absentia before the raid and meted out the death penalty? If not, what is the justification for killing him, and his companions for that matter, when he was unarmed? The raid was indeed a better option than bombing the compound. However, what stopped the Obama administration from choosing the latter option was not the potential “collateral damage” that the bombing would cause but its fear that Osama Bin Laden’s body might not be found and his death could not be confirmed.

In the final analysis, what the US did is not surprising. It has been bombing and firing missiles at the homes and vehicles of its perceived enemies with impunity. It even recently bombed the house of Muammar Ghadaffi, killing his son. These killings and bombings are merely different forms of political assassination and extrajudicial killing.

Second, the US government and its Armed Forces have been saying that much of the information it got regarding Osama Bin Laden’s trusted courier who, in turn, led the CIA to his house cum hiding place was obtained through the use of ‘harsher” interrogation methods – a euphemism for torture – such as water boarding and other “enhanced” methods. Water boarding is locally called water cure: continuously pouring water onto the face over the breathing passages of a prisoner causing him or her to feel the sensation of drowning. When the prisoner passes out, he or she is hit at the bloated stomach. It is a brutal form of torture. What is alarming is that a debate over the need for “enhanced interrogation techniques” has again reemerged from among US policy makers.

Of course, these acts are consistent with the thinking of the US Armed Forces – as contained in its counter-terror, counter-insurgency manuals – that a terrorist or insurgent forfeits his or her life once he or she gets involved in terrorism or in an insurgency, But this thinking has no place in a civilized world.

Political assassinations and extrajudicial killings, and torture could never be justified no matter what the objective is. If it is justifiable in this case, then we might as well throw international conventions on human rights and humanitarian law out the window.

Third, what the US did – conducting a military operation in Pakistan without informing the Pakistani government – is clearly a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. If this act would not be condemned what then would prevent the US from doing it in other countries as well? If it is justifiable in this case, we might as well forget about the concept of a nation’s sovereignty.

The means employed by the US could not be justified by its objective of achieving justice for those killed in the 9-11 attacks nor by its aim of putting a stop to terrorism. On the contrary, it merely committed another injustice without ensuring that acts of terror would stop. It is a folly to think that terrorism would stop by decapitating it. It might even spawn more acts of terror. After all, these acts of terror were committed not because it was ordered by one man, no matter how influential or persuasive he might be. The reason for al-Queda’s continued existence, despite the efforts of the strongest armed forces in the world, lies in conditions of poverty and oppression. But of course, the end does not justify the means for both al-Queda and the US. Reposted by Cordillera News Portal.

by Lito Dar

Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma said that President Benigno Aquino III believes in a democratic process and the attainment of regional autonomy will depend on how united the people of Cordillera are and on how well they will lay down the framework of autonomy in line with the region’s vision of progress and development.

“I think we would like to see all the stakeholders in the Cordillera sit down and discuss among themselves and reach a common ground or consensus that would really promote the principle of autonomy and see it realize in your own region,” Coloma said during a presscon Friday.

According to Coloma, the issue of autonomy rests on the shoulders of the real stakeholders in Cordillera, who are the rightful beneficiaries of its wealth and natural resources. He noted that the region is blessed with abundant human talent and capital that can be harnessed for such purpose.

Coloma also advised that Cordillerans should learn from the lessons (experiences) in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and put up a draft law or framework that would be practical, responsive, and relevant to the development needs of the region.

He also called on the members of the press to also contribute their share in promoting a constructive dialogue so that there would be a broad base consensus among the stakeholders and help in the realization of the aspiration of the people in Cordillera for faster progress in the region through autonomy.

Meanwhile, the Regional Development Council’s Third Autonomy Act Drafting Committee (TAADC) chaired by Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan is now working double time in the drafting of an autonomy law which they aim to present for a plenary discussion by May 15 and to have a final draft presented for consultations with the Cordillera congressmen and governors by the end of May. (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

by Vency D. Bulayungan

ASIPULO, Ifugao-Tired of a grueling life in the underground movement, a young rebel recently surrendered to authorities here.

Mayor Eladio Bang-ud of this town said that the 20-year-old elementary graduate was accompanied by his uncle when he surrendered. He narrated that in his young age, he was easily recruited by the members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) since their ideology looked good. However, after experiencing hardships in staying in remote places and running from government forces, he opted to go back to the fold of the law.

Bang-ud further disclosed that another reason why he surrendered is that one of his siblings just finished his training course in the Philippine Army. “His brother was instrumental in convincing him to surrender,” the mayor said.

Bang-ud said the local officials are trying their best to convince a number of the residents who have joined the underground movement to follow suit in going mainstream.

The mayor said the local government unit will conduct a free medical mission and an information/education campaign regarding the terrorist movements in Cawayan, Camandag, and Namal. An encounter between soldiers and the NPA had just occurred in February in the favorite dwelling place of the NPAs. (VDB/PIA CAR-Ifugao)

by Maritess B.Beñas

BANGUED, Abra,- Another extension of the Abra High School, the province’s primary national high school, will be opened this school year in order to decongest the main campus in located within the Bangued town proper

Provincial Governor Eustaquio P. Bersamin reported that repairs and expansion of facilities are now underway in the Calot Elementary School to accommodate the students who are interested to go to Brgy. Calot, Bangued for their secondary education.

The Abra High School (AHS) had earlier established its first extension in Brgy. Mudeng, La Paz. The establishment of the extension in La Paz was then inspired by the great number of students coming from La Paz and its neighboring towns and barangays of Bangued located across the Abra River which had become isolated during the rainy season.

As of the last school year, AHS Main Campus in Bangued had more than 2,400 students while the Mudeng Campus had more than 500 students.

With the increasing number of prospective enrollees in the main campus, given the limited number of classrooms and area for possible expansion, the AHS is constrained to establish additional extension. Brgy. Calot was specifically identified as a conspicuous place as it would cater to the needs of the people in the southern part of Bangued which are very far from the main campus.

Meanwhile, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent concurrent Principal of the AHS, Mr. Francis Cesar Bringas, clarified queries from the public regarding the schedule of enrolment in the AHS. He said old students are already considered enrolled though they still need to confirm their enrolment for this coming school year.
Incoming first year students, on the other hand, will start their enrolment on May 23 until the opening of classes in June. The students should be accompanied by their parents to be able to participate in the Brigada Eskwela which is the clean-up activities in the public schools.

Bringas further explained that even if the incoming first year students have earlier registered last January, 2011, they still need to confirm their enrolment. (JDP/MTBB-PIA CAR,Abra)