AFTER ABUS, WHO’S NEXT?: We have gone beyond the question of whether or not Filipinos would favor US forces’ joining the Philippine military in pursuing the Abu Sayyaf terrorists hiding in the jungles of Basilan island with three of their kidnap victims.

The reason for our jumping ahead is that we are convinced that an honest national survey would show a great majority of Filipinos favoring the tactical involvement of US forces in the anti-Abu Sayyaf campaign.

We went one step further and asked in our ongoing survey of Postscript readers: “Do you favor US forces’ helping the Philippine military pursue terrorist groups in Mindanao aside from the Abu Sayyaf? If so, what group should also be targeted?”

And the response of our readers — all 84 percent of them — is a resounding “Yes!”

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TARGETS — MILF, NPA, MNLF: What group aside from the Abu Sayyaf should be targeted in a joint-RP-US campaign? Of those who favored US involvement in military operations against groups outside of the Abu Sayyaf, 61 percent said they wanted the Moro Islamic Liberation Front targeted too.

Other targets they suggested were: New People’s Army, 48 percent; Moro National Liberation Front (Misuari loyalists), 45 percent; and the Pentagon kidnap group, 29 percent.

A pervading sentiment of respondents as gleaned from their remarks was one of having had enough of the depredations of terror groups. Even those who had reservations about welcoming foreign troops conceded that if accepting US assistance was the only way… then let the Americans help solve this basic problem that has stunted development.

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SURVEY LIMITATIONS: We hasten to point out that our survey had its limitations, and was certainly susceptible to errors.

Only Postscript readers were involved, and we’re not sure they represented a cross-section of the adult population of the country. Another factor to consider is that 95 percent of respondents sent their answers by email, a technical facility that speeds up responses but limits participation.

Whatever… Having grown familiar with the type of readers we have, we think they represent a sector whose opinion matters, or should matter, to policy-makers.

We will continue to receive readers’ responses to the survey question and tabulate the results. But with this report, we will stop publishing updates.

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WHAT READERS SAY: Here’s a sampling of readers’ responses:

Albert V. Ramos, Paranaque: US forces or other technologically equipped nations with expertise in counter-terrorism that are willing to help pursue terrorist groups in Mindanao or other parts of the archipelago are most welcome. It’s time we cut the roots of the “hydra” concealed as “political groups.” No need to list them down, just read the newspapers.

Sarah Guerrero, msn.com: It is time our government confronted the havoc caused by the Abu Sayyaf, MILF, NPA and the renegade faction of the MNLF. So much have been said that this is an internal problem and I say that is hogwash. When leaders of these groups are based in a foreign land and raise funds and arms there, how can we say it is an internal problem? It is time we brought in our ally in combating this scourge.

Emily Moller, Helsingborg, Sweden: I favor the US helping eradicate Abu Sayyaf, NPA, MNLF, MILF, Pentagon and other evil groups. The country has suffered much. Those who oppose US help must volunteer to fight these groups, especially the big politicians with high salaries (and sidelines).

Roberto Jacinto, Cagayan de Oro: No. Under international laws, foreign troops are extensions of their country of origin, thus not subject to local laws. The foreign troops would most likely be tempted to act extraneously knowing they are not under local legal jurisdiction. The Philippines would not have authority to punish or discipline erring foreign troops.

Emmanuel C. Aragones, Manila: There should not just be training exercises but actual combat operation in tandem with our forces. Targets should be all elements that hold arms and wage war against our government, including the NPA, MILF, MNLF (Misuari group), Pentagon, and all other lawless elements.

David C. Martinez, Los Angeles, CA: I heartily support US military intervention, but on one non-negotiable condition: that after helping us eliminate extremists disguised as secessionists, they go after our more potent enemies — terrorists disguised as politicians.

LA Gayla, pacificnet: Peace will induce/attract medium-moneyed people to invest in small/medium-size agricultural activity such as fishing, farming, etc., including construction. Because of the work created in the countryside, the unemployed from urban areas and elsewhere will migrate there, decongesting cities. Income generated will trigger a wide-based buying power and will become the market for industrial products.

Francis P. Carlos, Valenzuela City: Let US help. However, to identify any group as terrorists is not a sole prerogative of the US and Philippine authorities. We need the consultation of our civil societies, the sentiment of the international community, and the backing of our citizens. We should not surrender our political and military sovereignty if the fight against terrorism is within our national borders.

Remedios B. Lintag & Jesus B. Lintag, sunlife.com: We favor US forces’ helping subdue all terrorist-defined acts within the region and elsewhere. The Philippines adheres to the general principles of Public International Law, and has under UN Convention the right to defend itself. Terrorism is an international offense similar to piracy and genocide as it is a crime against humanity. Historically, the free countries also fought the Axis terrorists who wanted to enslave the world. Modern terrorism has no tolerance, no pity, is godless and is also ruthless.

Nel Malabonga, Marikina: The linchpin of today’s battlefield is real-time intelligence mostly provided by sophisticated satellites and surveillance drones/planes supported by transport vehicles and communications that enable soldiers to act on this information immediately. This enables limited manpower to be used to most effect. Our AFP cannot afford or maintain enough of these equipment to make a difference and US soldiers are the ones with enough money, experience, training and transport capability to use these effectively.

Ed O. Ignacio, Rosario, Pasig: Our government should take this opportunity, with the help of the Americans, to pursue not only the Abu Sayyaf but also the MILF, MNLF and the NPA. With very limited resources and inferior equipment, it will take us forever to contain this problem.

Ed Tarachand, hotmail: The MILF, MNLF, and the NDF — these are terrorists because they have decided to take up arms against a sovereign state. If the issue is ideology, they should sell their belief to the people through peaceful means. They also affect the economy by scaring or driving away investors.

Isagani L. Landicho, Xavierville, QC: ASG, MILF, MNLF, Pentagon, and NPA are society’s parasites and largely the cause of the nation’s problems. If cost of fighting them were channeled to education, infrastructure, health, etc., our country would be enjoying now the blessings of God and, therefore, no more need for American forces.

Julius Caesar M. Cajilog, Quezon City: US forces can help our counterinsurgency campaign. They must go not just against the Abus, but also against the Pentagon, MILF and the NPA. We cannot do it alone. With their help we can achieve victory. It is just plain ego if we say that we do not need them.

Juanito S. Cruz, digitelone.com: I agree with the presence of US forces in Mindanao to help eradicate the Abu Sayyaf menace once and for all. Our combined operation should include the elimination of militant Islamic elements like the MNLF and the MILF that have been plundering and killing peaceful citizens. The Arroyo government is making a bad mistake in conducting peace talks with these terrorists.

Mike C. Bolos, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: We cannot solve the Mindanao situation on our own. For the benefit of many and for the Philippines to be able to move forward on many fronts, economic or otherwise, we should take whatever help is available in whatever form and from wherever it may come until such time that we are able to take care of things on our own.