mindanao is the land, promise

My fears and anxieties on the current Mindanao crisis was at least refreshed momentarily by the satire I've read from a profilic blogger, Bluepanjeet. His remarks on the impending creation of a Bangsamoro Juridical Entity was extraordinary but its no joke to someone like me who hails from Mindanao.

Ancestral domain is the single most important and, arguably, the thorniest issue that is still to be negotiated by the MILF and the Philippine government before they can reach a political settlement. Ancestral domain refers to Moro demand for territory that will constitute a Moro homeland; sufficient control over economic resources on that territory; and a structure of governance that will allow Moros to govern themselves in ways that are consonant with their culture and with minimal interference from Manila.(more) 

Territorial issue

Mindanao is a boiling pot of culture for the last hundred years. Part of its secluded forest and rich natural resources are now barren and empty. Many of its resources are now scarce and its flora and fauna are on the verge of extinction. But that's another story.

Muslim settlers started in Sulu around 1450 AD when Shari'ful Hashem Syed Abu Bakr, a Johore-born Arab adventurer, arrived in Sulu from Melaka. He married Param Isuli, daughter of Raja Baguinda, and founded The Royal Sultanate of Sulu in 1457. He declared himself H.R.H. Paduka Maulana Mahasari Sharif Sultan Hashem Abu Bakr, Sultan of Sulu, of the Saudi House of Hashemite in Hadramaut, where most Tausug and Yakan believed Prophet Mohammad's genealogy is traced.(more)

In reality, Mindanao is not overflowing with Muslim settlers contrary to some northern legend that it was. Christians form the majority with 63% of its population, Muslim 32% and the remaining percent for native lumads.

It is a fact that Filipinos came from the Malayan race. This maybe a proof why Mindanao still has some existing ethnic tribes not only composed by some Muslims minority but also by the majority of Subanens and other cultural minority groups in Zamboanga Peninsula. Thus said, these tribes do not agree to be a part of a moro homeland. They too have their own stories to tell. They also claimed to have owned part of Mindanao. An agreeable matter supported by their mode of living on the upland mountains of Mindanao.

The threat and abduction

I was in a state of shock when the news of MILF penetration in the province of Lanao reached my ears. Thanks to sms and the power of texting. Lanao is just a 30 minute boat ride to Ozamiz (my birthpace) and an hour ride to my homeplace. The element of nearness and proximity may have caused a lot of paranoia and fears to people whose families are threatened by the advancing forces of MILF on their desperate move to cripple the government through mass killings and bombings. Two bombs had killed 4 people in Iligan and many others were wounded and lifeless in the nearby town of Kulambugan. An unconfirmed text earlier that day, also informed me that priests of uncomfirmed number on board a bus going to Dipolog was held hostage by the rebels. Later that day, I was glued to AM radios and TV flash reports to monitor the ongoing struggle of my brothers and sisters in Mindanao.

This is indeed a desperate measure of MILF to show the government and the world that their forces can sneak through even the guarded citadels. This is the way they normally do when their requests were not granted. They may have thought that the government will expedite the creation of Bangsamoro out of their atrocities. But this measure does not do any good but aggravate the populace into opposing this MOA.

All out war?

It was during the administration of former president Estrada that an all out war was declared againts this moro bandits amidst public criticisms and religious differences. True to his mission of annihilating these rebels, Estrada had spearheaded the raising of Philippine flag in Camp Abubakr, the haven of MILF's little government. It was then we knew that these bandits had created their own flag, military academy, a version of billibid prison and a government of their own.

Estrada's decisive measure may have been too risky but he proved that there is only one country and one Philippines. The rebel troop had gradually accepted government funded livelihood and benefits. They were at least dismantled if not totally annihilated.

This too should be the priority of our present government. couldn't think of a better option other than this to create a lasting peace in Mindanao. Peace talks has never been useful to a treacherous group like MILF and cease fire will always give them time to reorganize themselves for a more bloody attacks.

In a press statement later later that day, Arroyo stressed out of crushing any attempts that disturbs peace.

Because of these sneaky and treacherous attacks, as your Commander-in-Chief, I have ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to defend every inch of Philippine territory against MILF forces and immediately restore peace in the affected areas in Lanao del Norte.

We will not tolerate and we will crush any attempt to disturb peace and development in Mindanao. I am also calling for an emergency meeting of the National Security Council this afternoon to assess the situation in Lanao del Norte and other areas in Mindanao and come up with concrete, firm and decisive action to defend the peace-loving people of Mindanao.

Again, I assure the Filipino people that the government will defend them at all costs against any move by any group that will disrupt our aspirations for a genuine and lasting peace not only in Mindanao but in the whole country. I am with you in peace. We are all in this together.

But am not convinced, unless an all out war should be implemented asap!