Manila has severe problems with terrorism. On top of that they have little pull in international circles. They are in a weak position and made a poor decision. They also value their independence above all. Maybe if they keep a low profile they will be ignored and thereby survive.
"Manila has severe problems with terrorism..."
Yeah, they've been having problems with Muslim terrorists for a long time there. Their weak kneed response to this will only make things worse for them. They SHOULD have sent in hundreds, thousands of more troops, all with the sworn mission to find de la Cruz, or to hunt down his killers. They are just not getting it. More Christians will have their heads chopped off in the Phillipines and elsewhere thanks to this bad and cowardly decision.