|
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Mindanao Republic
By Roy C. Gaane
From The US
LOS ANGELES, California -- Before Spain "discovered" us, what were we called? We simply referred to each other as dumagats and magahats. Perhaps we referred to each other by our tribal names. I missed that part of our history.
The Spaniards called us indios just as Columbus called the natives of America Indians. I guess during the days of Magellan and Columbus, people must have thought that any land outside their world was India.
Anyway, Spain without consulting us took a stick, made a map and said this archipelago from Aparri to Jolo is now ours and we will call it Filipinas after our king.
Despite the name Filipinas, the Spaniards still called us indios until they cohabited with our women. Mestizos were then born.
The mestizos started calling themselves Filipinos. Soon everyone whether mestizo, Malayan or Chinese were called Filipinos.
When our illiterate ancestors went to till their land as their ancestors have been doing before them, they were told by the Spaniards to go away. This is not your land. This is ours. We have the papers to prove it.
Well, under the barrel of the musket, we have accepted what the Spaniards told us. We accepted being called Filipinos. We accepted being under Spain then sold to the Americans. Of course there was resistance and lots of blood were shed but in the end we were subjugated.
The island of Mindanao had no name except for the Zamboanga peninsula that was called Sibuguey. Butuan, Pulangi River and Sarangani Island were also among the basis for identifying Mindanao.
Although the Spaniards had been to Butuan that they described as friendly people, the inhabitants of Mindanao had no say when the papers were drawn to include our island as part of the Philippines.
Now some political leaders in Mindanao are talking of separating the island as an independent republic. Reuben Canoy already attempted that move years ago but somehow it did not catch the attention of fellow Mindanaonons.
Now Congressman Rodolfo Plaza of Agusan del Sur and Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte with other leaders are pushing for the separation.
The timing may be right because of the broiling controversy in Manila except that the controversy seems to be fizzling out.
This writer would love to see a separate republic. But there are so many considerations to take into account and if we begin to think about it, it seems almost impossible to attain it. Almost.
Will Manila accept our separation? Perhaps, if Manila is mortally wounded.
If not, are we ready to fight for it? Will Mindanao be able to raise its army at a given instance?
Will Mindanaonons engage in a bloody fight against Filipino soldiers from Visayas and Luzon from where many of us originated and where we still have millions of relatives and friends?
What about the Muslim conflict or should it be called the Christian conflict? If it cannot be done by peaceful means, lives will be wasted.
In any case, screaming and kicking for separation will get Manila's attention and we may finally get our fair share of the budget. And now and then, whenever we feel neglected by Manila, our leaders should call for a separate republic.
(June 21, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
|
