Cayetano claims threats to life for MILF stance

Ayee Macaraig

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Cayetano claims threats to life for MILF stance
Senator Cayetano says: 'If something happens [to me], the MILF will make it appear as if it's the BIFF because that is their modus operandi'

MANILA, Philippines – “I would be a hypocrite if I say I have no concerns about my safety and the safety of my family.” 

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said he received reports of a threat to his life over his stance against the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). 

In a press briefing on Thursday, March 26, the senator said “official and unofficial sources” informed him of the threat. He hinted that the MILF could be behind any attack against him but will likely blame the breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) for it. 

“We are taking measures to ensure the family’s safety. Those on the ground are coordinating with us. If something happens, they will make it appear as if it’s the BIFF because that is their modus [operandi]. If they can do something [sinister], they will point to the BIFF,” Cayetano said. 

The senator said “one of our security forces” was the “official source” of the information but refused to name which body it was. He said the threat was in relation to the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“They intercepted information that there are politicians or a politician in general that has to be sacrificed for the BBL to be passed,” he said.

Cayetano and Senator JV Ejercito were among the co-authors of the bill in the Senate but they withdrew support following the Mamasapano tragedy. Cayetano soon turned into the most rabid critic of the bill and the MILF, which he calls a terrorist group even while it signed a peace deal with the government. 

The senator said he made the threat public as “part of deterrence” to foil the supposed plan against his life. 

Cayetano expressed confidence that the Muslims of his home city of Taguig will protect him. The senator was former Taguig representative, and his wife Lani Cayetano is now mayor of the city. 

The lawmaker said his family is discussing recommendations to beef up their security. 

At the Senate, Cayetano said a colleague even joked about the issue. “Baka kailangan magdagdag na rin tayo ng security dahil kay Alan.” (Maybe we have to tighten security because of Alan.) 

Cause of low survey numbers?

Cayetano draws mixed reactions for his strong stand against the MILF and the government peace panel. While some netizens support his position, pundits, peace advocates, and Islamic scholars branded his pronouncements incendiary, and criticized his ignorance of the history of the Moro struggle. (READ: War and chicken hawks)

Resource persons also corrected his facts in the Senate hearings into the January 25 clash between elite cops and Moro rebels. 

A presidential aspirant, the senator said that his views could be behind his low survey numbers. In the March 1 to 7 Pulse Asia survey, Cayetano ranked only 7th among possible presidential bets, with 3%.  

Still, Cayetano said he will not relent just to improve his chances for higher office. 

“This issue is bigger than the presidency. Some people say this might be affecting my chances. I would rather that I not win as president if we will have peace, and Mindanao will not secede,” he said. 

Critics accuse Cayetano of using the tragedy to gain media mileage and to ride on the emotions triggered by the clash but he said he was not focused on the campaign. 

“They are saying ang palaban na kandidato for president, ‘di gusto ng tao. Gusto nila parang tatay. I won’t sacrifice who I am. Ang gusto ng tao at kailangan ng tao ay ‘di pareho diba?” 

(They are saying people do not want a presidential candidate who takes strong stances. They want someone who is like a father figure. But what people want, and what they need are two different things, right?) 

Cayetano said another factor behind his low numbers could be the “disinformation campaign” being done against him in areas like Marawi.

“Sunod-sunod ang broadcast na I’m anti-Muslim tapos may gagatong na.” (There are so many broadcasts that I am anti-Muslim and people ride on that.) 

In Davao, he said he was asked why he was anti-Muslim, to which he replied, “I’m not.” 

The secretary-general of the Nacionalista Party (NP) said he will make a final decision on whether or not to pursue his presidential bid by June or July. 

The NP’s Senator Antonio Trillanes IV already declared his vice presidential bid while Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr and NP president former Senator Manuel Villar Jr are rumored to be possible presidential bets, too. 

“If I do run, I will run for president because if you run for vice president, you will not implement your vision,” Cayetano said. 

“I won’t be the type of vice president who is quiet. As an executive, you can make real change.” – Rappler.com 

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!