Those who are at war desperately want peace.

The Government seems unable today to win over the Red insurgency for about 40 years - half the lifetime of one generation. Presidents have come and gone - and still the Red flag is still flown somewhere - decidedly the longest insurgency in the whole of Southeast Asia. Why?

Blood and lives have been lost in this fratricidal war between Cain and Abel. So much money in the budget for bullets and arms has been spent in a war of attrition - billions that should have bought food, shelter, medicine and clothing to Juan de la Cruz. Why?

Presidents have come and gone - the war goes on. Why?

Has Government treated the gangrene symptoms with mere antiseptic rather than apply strong antibiotics on the roots of discontent: poverty, injustice and corruption?

What is the Bohol story of insurgency?

After Negros Occidental Governor Bitay Lacson inflicted "Operation Thunderbolt" in 1987 - the Reds flocked and made Bohol their regional hub. Their presence is best remembered, among others, with the ambush of a Bohol PC provincial commander and the attempted assassination of Governor Erico Aumentado in 2004 near the Capitol.

Since then, the "Bohol Experience" in converting the communist rebels to allies in a "bloodless coup" over the last years was a success. That was made the thesis that governed the recent Regional Peace and Security Assemblies held here last week.

Participants were senior LGU officials of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces.

Bohol rebel armed fronts were reduced from four to one; most number of rebel returnees which totaled 183 in 2002 to the present (most of them helped through the erection of cooperatives.)

No less than President Gloria M. Arroyo was here to keynote the peace initiative - a regional meeting for conflict resolution. Every Boholano therefore has every reason to be proud that the province was made a model for peaceful reunification in the region.

The resounding tourist boom is proof positive that peace has largely prevailed in the province.

Doubtless, the Bohol Formula was a community effort headed by Governor Aumentado (LGU), Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak (Church) and the charismatic leadership of then 302nd Infantry Brigade Commander General Juanito Gomez (now 7th Division Chief). Through interaction, they collectively saw what clicked with the masses rather than mere propaganda war.

But there is no need for such hawkish bravado (as quoted in the national papers) that GMA reportedly told the rebels: "Accept amnesty or we will crush you."

And with no exception presidents Aquino, Ramos, Estrada and GMA had vowed to "crush" the insurgency. But the multi-headed hydra monster is still standing - and all of them red on their faces. Presidents Aquino and Ramos had likewise granted "political amnesties" during their terms.

Because of the unique circumstances that drove our men and women to the hills, the peace in this country cannot be won by bellicose language. It is like forcing a five-year old kid to eat his candy or he will be spanked. That does not work - not even with Marcos, armed with aristocratic power of a dictator. It will not work now.

"Sincerity" is the key word to make the olive branch attractive. We cannot talk peace if every week we add to the more than 800 activists, judges, religious and media dead or missing - as the whole world and 39 American congressmen are shocked by the audacity and impunity of such crimes perpetrated in a "democracy."

In Bohol, what peace is in store with the deaths of Olympio Crame (Calape), Eugeneo Furog (Trinidad), Nestor Arinque (Mabini), Elizedea Cunado-Estorba (Candijay), Victor Olayvar (Panglao) and Mario Auxilio (Trinidad) still without a just resolution? The last two are peasant leaders of 18,000 farmers and poor folks in 23 chapters over Bohol.

Criminality is rising in the province in the face of grinding poverty and lack of livelihood. The lucky ones desert the land of their birth to be OFWs to live in nations not in character with their culture and religious beliefs.

There has to be an end to "Red witch-hunting" and allow free political discourse from those who have taken the road of mainstream politics and open dissent. An "open society" not militarization will open the doors for trust and confidence building.

In public governance, so much clamor for transparency and decency is being asked from officials - so that they do not contribute to the nation's poverty by gross acts of corruption that rob the nation blind and make two generation of Filipinos pay for debts incurred thereof.

The road to peace is hard but it must be taken. Before reconciliation, however, there must be justice and restitution. Then genuine talks of Amnesty can follow.

There must always be room for mercy and forgiveness in us after all the above has been done. After all we are all human brings - without exception - subject to mundane frailties and human weaknesses. We are all born with Original Sin.

Amnesty is great and sincere forgiveness always has room in civilized societies.

As the Great Book had so implied: No one can do us more harm than what we had done to the Lord. By sin we had murdered Him to the cross. Yet, He found it in His heart to "forgive for they know not what they are doing." Therefore, if we cannot forgive, we have then exacted a far higher standard for forgiveness than we are worthy of.

But certainly, our "house must be put in order first" - and then we walk the second step in this journey of a thousand miles. Shalom.

For Comments: email to bingo_dejaresco@boholchronicle.com Or editor@boholchronicle.com