Gaddafi played role in Philippine history

Whether Filipinos approve of it or not, embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi will have his place in Philippine history. In an editorial on GMA News TV's "State of the Nation," Jessica Soho said Gaddafi helped in the peace process in Mindanao during the Marcos administration. Gaddafi had intervened between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front, which led to the signing of the Tripoli Agreement. Tripoli is the capital of Libya where recent fighting has killed scores of people and caused widespread destruction. OFWs are currently being evacuated. Soho said, "Sa ayaw man natin o sa gusto, may koneksyon ang Pilipinas sa Libya at Gaddafi (Whether we approve of it or not, the Philippines will always have a connection to Libya and to Gaddafi)," said. Former First Lady and now Rep. Imelda Marcos counts Gaddafi as a proven friend from when she and her husband, former fellow dictator Ferdinand Marcos, were at the height of of their power. "Kontrabida ang tingin sa kanya ng US at kaalyado. Pero kinatakutan man, minahal din naman siguro siya ng kanyang mga kababayan (The United States and its allies may have viewed him as a villain but it cannot be denied there are Libyans who also love him)," Soho added. But Soho also said the apparent downfall of Gaddafi also shows nothing is permanent. Gaddafi had risen to power through a coup and yet is being ousted with violence 42 years later, she said. "Patunay lang (ito) na ang lahat ng bagay, gaano man kalakas ang leader, meron ding katapusan (What is happening now shows that everything, no matter how powerful they are, has an end)," she said. — JE/HS, GMA News