Reaction to "Thank you, Supreme Court of the Philippines"

We posted here last November 12 the article, Thank you, Supreme Court of the Philippines by Atty. Fatimah Bin Guerra. The same article was also posted in the www.luwaran.com last November 11.

Rahib L. Kudto, the national president of the United Youth for Peace and Development, Inc. (UNYPAD) and deputy secretary-general of the Mindanao People’s Caucus (MPC), sent us his reaction on the said article of Atty. Guerra. Here is Kudto’s reaction:

November 17, 2008

Dear Atty. Fatimah,

Assalamu Alaikum!

When I read your column in the Luwaran website, I could not pass this chance of personally thanking you for such a noble act on your part. I have so many reasons to thank you.

Thank you, Atty. Fatimah Bin Guerra, for the invincible spirit that you showed in speaking out your convictions. Your article shared a source of hope among us, Bangsamoro people, to continue our odyssey to find an enduring peace in our homeland. I can’t help but express my overwhelming admiration to how you waged this extraordinary fight through your writing. You effectively articulated our frustration over the government’s handling of the peace process. You powerfully stressed that the Mindanao conflict is not a business of the constitution but a political problem which requires a viable political settlement. You are worthy of our recognition since despite being a lawyer, you did not uphold the injustices of the Constitution and of the Philippine system but the more important cause of the marginalized and of the oppressed.

Cleary, those who supported and participated in the peace process with candor are not happy with the intervention of the Supreme Court.

Thank you, Atty. Fatimah Bin Guerra, for your honest principles. You fairly educated us on how the Mindanao problem should be treated under this government. We share the same disappointment. The unfortunate events resulted to the displacement of thousands of civilians in the conflict affected areas in Mindanao . These led to the failure of this administration to achieve a lasting peace that we envisioned for Mindanao .

Thank you, Atty. Fatimah Bin Guerra, for your brave disposition in exposing how the Supreme Court manipulated the decision-making process on the MOA-AD. When the SC justices junked the MOA-AD, they snatched away the hope from us that this administration is sincere in bringing back what is due us.

If MOA-AD is nothing but a piece of paper, as commented by Father Bernas, a constitutional law expert, why would the highest court substantially spent its time and resources in deciding the constitutionality of a document that is nothing but a mere scrap of paper? While they sealed the coffin of the MOA-AD, they failed to address the real issues in Mindanao . No one appears to have a viable plan while innocent civilians continue to suffer and die.

I hope and pray that many more Fatimah will come out to help us in our fight for the liberation of the Bangsamoro people who have been under tyranny for over 400 years now. I hope that your words will reverberate throughout Mindanao and inspire young Moros to continue our fight until the political solution for the century-old Moro problem will be finally achieved.

I also hope that your words would serve as enlightenment among politicians, justices and other leaders in charge for protecting their personal vested interests.

I pray that you will be showered with more blessings and rewards. I pray for your safety from all dangers as you advance our common struggle for justice and freedom.

You deserve the highest form of gratitude from the Bangsamoro people!


Sincerely,

Rahib L. Kudto