Suppression and denial
Sunday, 02 November 2008 01:47 administrator
(November 1-5)


Unlike other countries, which are more progressive and peaceful, the Philippines continues to insist on a policy based on suppression of people’s legitimate political aspirations and denial of facts related to, even if they are already too self-evident. Ask Filipino leaders (with some exceptions) about Moros’ right over Mindanao, their answers invariably would be: “The Moros have no such rights.” Where did they get such answer? Are they aware that the word “Mindanao” is a Maguindanao word for “an inundated land” and then applied to the whole island of Mindanao, being the domain of the Maguindanao Moros through the Sultanate of Maguindanao? It is precisely in Cotabato City and adjacent areas where this word had originated long before the coming of the Spaniards, because during wet season much of the land is flooded.


These leaders cursed the Moros for having “secessionist ambition”, thus the death of the GRP-MILF Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in the hands of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Former Senator Franklin Drilon argued that the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) should not be granted at all, saying it has the elements of state. Mind you, Mr. good senator, even a barangay has that elements: people, territory, and governance. But like it, the BJE has no sovereignty. Why the fuss, therefore?

Extreme denial of people’s aspiration or rights would on the contrary force them to resort extreme measure like “secession” or at least, force them to arm and defend themselves. The necesary offshoot would be that the war in Mindanao would go on for centuries. The Moros may not win the war, but the least that can happen is that the Philippines would stay underdeveloped forever.

After the last world war, the Philippines ranked second to Japan in economy. Malaysia then was still in British hands. But after barely over 50 years since, Malaysia has overcome the Philippines. In fact, some said correctly or otherwise, Malaysia is ahead of the Philippines by 50 years. Why? The answers are: Malaysia had solved its internal problem related to the communist insurgency and let go Singapore, which are both Chinese-based problems.

If the Moros want to secede, they can do it without North Cotabato vice governor Emmanuel Pińol agreeing. Kosovo became independent despite the opposition of Russia, a superpower. But the MOA-AD is not about secession; it is not about independence. None of this. It is precisely how far the principles of sovereignty and right to self-determination, both enshrined in the United Nations Charter and other international conventions, can compromise. But the MOA-AD is the key to solving the Bangsamoro Problem, which the GRP and MILF peace negotiators agreed to zero-in their “problem-solving” negotiation. Now that it was succesfully shot down by Mindanao and Manila oligarchs, what is the alternative? Talking senseless and endlessly?

Better for these spoilers to think of alternative or war becomes the alternative, as what the Arroyo dispensation is now doing in Mindanao.