MANILA, Philippines—It’s hard enough in the best of times to convince intrepid entrepreneurs and large corporations to invest in Mindanao, which has for decades been associated with disorder and violence.

Even more so now, following the massacre of women and journalists in Maguindanao last week.

The grim image of 57 innocent and unarmed civilians killed in the name of political supremacy certainly does not help the cause of the Philippines’ second largest island.

While the unprecedented massacre may be simply an isolated “family feud” or “inter-clan encounter” between the powerful Ampatuans and Mangudadatus, it has made businessmen already wary about venturing south even more determined to keep out, even with its potential to be an even bigger producer of vital agricultural goods for both domestic consumption and export.

Mindanao is already the country’s food basket and home to some of the country’s largest agro-industrial complexes for export, such as pineapple and banana plantations and the tuna canneries in Zamboanga.

According to Edgardo Lacson, president of the influential Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the violence will definitely have an adverse and lingering impact on the business and investment climate in Mindanao.

“A breakdown in peace and order in the magnitude of the Maguindanao massacre has shocked all people, including investors,” Lacson told the Inquirer by phone, “Only a swift and decisive action by authorities to arrest and punish all the criminals and restore order in Maguindanao will assure the investors of the safety of their capital, business and their people.”

The Management Association of the Philippines, which counts the country’s top chief executive officers among its members, was likewise horrified by the “barbaric” incident, adding that political violence similar to what transpired between the Ampatuans and Mangudadatus of Mindanao should be immediately dealt with.

“The private armies of all in the region must be immediately disbanded and their firearms confiscated if violence is not to escalate. The Ampatuans and the Mangudadatus should be banned from running for public office in the coming elections,” MAP said in its statement.

“An example must be set in this case of tough, uncompromising government action if further violence is not to rise in these elections. Our international image has already been devastated so we cannot allow it to deteriorate even further. It is not an exaggeration to say that our nation has been put under threat of survival today by this despicable act. The President must act forcefully,” MAP added.

Undersecretary Virgilio L. Leyretana Sr., chair of the Mindanao Economic Development Council that promotes investments and economic development in Mindanao, however, is quick to dismiss sweeping claims that Mindanao as a whole is a very dangerous place.

“Commentators should be more circumspect and prudent in making statements casting aspersions that impugn or malign the reputation of Mindanawnons as peace-loving people who abhor violence as a way of life, or leading to the destruction of investors’ trust and confidence in Mindanao, or the erosion of the gains of our collective efforts to accelerate Mindanao’s socio-economic status into what it is today. Otherwise, Mindanao will be buried deeply in the quagmire of retrogression,” Leyretana said in a statement.

“While we share the pain and agony of what happened, the incident should not make us hostage or immobilize ourselves, or paralyze the implementation of programs and projects. In fact, the incident should serve as impetus to reinforce or strengthen our resolve of ensuring the genuine peace and prosperity of Mindanao,” Leyretana added.