EDITORIAL

Lost in Hope By Ma. Chrisel P. Maniebo As the deadly attacks in Zamboanga City has finally ended over its course of 20 days which gave both the people and the government a big burden. President Benigno Aquino said he did not want to repeat the siege. Based on the National Risk Reduction and Management Council the tragedy left 140 dead, 268 wounded and 120,000 people affected in 14 barangays, such a number brought by their own people. The group behind all the attacks is the Moro National Liberation Front which was founded by Nur Misuari. Misuari was also charged with rebellion and plunder in the past. In 2001 he also signed a peace accord with President Fidel Ramos who was appointed the first government which is now Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Misuaris former commanders which are now the present leaders said that the moral legitimacy of Misuaris leadership is now seriously doubted. The Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court has ordered the arrest of Misuari and his accomplices in accordance with the killings. It is said to be that an amount of P200,000 bail for each accused followers is to be recommended but not for Misuari and his three MNLF commanders. Misuari will face life in prison if ever hes convicted. After the siege the said city has been spawned by the intertropical convergence zone bring flood over the city which made it barely rise up again just after the tragedy. This made the government harder to bring back all whats lost not only with the materials and resources but also of the residents who experienced momentous coup de main.