Saturday, August 09, 2008 Nalzaro: Elusive peace in Mindanao By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
UNDER the Tripoli Agreement signed by former president Ferdinand Marcos and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari, 13 provinces in Mindanao and Palawan would have been placed under an autonomous region. But the agreement was not fully implemented because Miruari went on self-exile in Libya and his MNLF group splintered.
The MNLF abandoned its dream of an independent Bangsamoro state and engaged in criminal activities like kidnapping, piracy and robbery. Misuari's MNLF co-founders organized their own groups.
Dimas Pundato, a Maguindanaoan, organized the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Reformist Group. Hashim Salamat, also a Maguindanaoan, created the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) based in Central Mindanao.
Misuari is a Tausog, the dominant tribe in Sulu.
Misuari returned to the country when Cory Aquino took over the presidency after Edsa People Power 1 in 1986. In compliance with the 1987 Constitution’s Organic Act provision, which created the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the Cordillera Administrative Region, a referendum was held in 1990.
Of the 13 provinces listed in the Tripoli Agreement, only four provinces opted to join the ARMM. These were Sulu and Tawi-Tawi in Western Mindanao and Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao in Central Mindanao. Later on, Marawi City and Basilan Province, except Isabela City, joined. Sharif Kabungsuan is a newly-created province and used to be part of Maguindanao.
The Aquino and Ramos administrations talked only with the Misuari faction and Misuari was given so much importance that he held various positions under Ramos. Billions of pesos were poured for the development of Mindanao.
But charges of graft and corruption hounded Misuari. Other Muslim armed groups emerged, like the dreaded Abu Sayyaf. The MILF became restive and engaged government in pockets of rebellion in Central Mindanao. The Estrada administration launched a military offensive against the MILF and overran its main headquarters, the Buldon Complex.
Despite the setback, the MILF regrouped and was set to get concessions from the Arroyo administration. But government, or whoever decided on the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE), committed a grave error. Granting the demand of Muslim rebels won’t solve the Mindanao problem. It will even complicate the situation.
Christian residents, whose areas are included in the expanded ARMM, are protesting. Is the Arroyo administration ignoring their sentiments because it thinks that they are not capable of waging war?
It should not underestimate Christians just because they are perceived as peace loving. If they get fed up with the antics of Muslim rebels, armed confrontation will occur. Remember the conflict between the Ilagas and Barracudas in the ‘70s?
The MILF does not recognize our Supreme Court, as they have their own laws. The temporary restraining order issued by the High Tribunal stopping the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on the BJE won’t bind them.
So if they refuse to heed the deadline imposed by government for them to leave the areas in North Cotabato that they are now occupying, then government should use its military might to force them to.
The MILF should not be above the law. If that happens, the desired peace in the island won’t materialize. Indeed, peace in Mindanao is very elusive.
