Way to victory is the same path to peace

By Menardo Wenceslao

PEACE appeared to be a very significant issue in the May 13 elections. Gov. Toto Mangundadatu’s reelection was anchored principally on his avowal for peace which is resonant to the present agenda espoused by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.  The overwhelming votes cast in his favor sent a strong message to the region long ravaged by secessionist war and savagery of terrorism that the inhabitants of that region have gotten tired and weary of. The vote for peace in fact reverberates not only in the region but also in the four corners of the world bringing with it the message to those who still has the scheme to support terrorism and separatist notion that their adventurism  had only brought unending conflict and misery to what was once a land of peace.

It is not only in the Moro land that peace triumphed. In no other elections has the legal fronts of the CPP/NPA became so aggressive and even obtrusive declaring their support for candidates that they openly sponsor using their militant forces that include some religious orders. But their forcefulness and nerve do not jibe well with the people threatened by the irrationality of misplaced insurgency.

The votes speak loudly against any threats to peace, stability and life. The legal fronts have lost its essence and although some of their party lists still made it to congress they lost their position at the apogee of party list representations to  Buhay. Their candidates for national positions also lost miserably.

This is rather sad because the ideal situation for more representation from their side to be heard in Congress. It is better to argue in the congressional hall than argue with bullets in the battle field. The problem, however is that they want to argue in both arena.

The just concluded election elicits a message that the way to victory is in the same path to peace.