Carvajal: Miracle of sorts

I REFUSE to fret, with traditional political patrons and their wards, over a Gloria Arroyo House speakership. I’d much rather rejoice with those who appreciate the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). Its passage is nothing short of a miracle and is of more positive consequence to our national life.

It is a miracle of sorts that our traditional vested-interest-politician-legislators actually came up with an organic law that is acceptable to the Bangsamoro people. Yet, as it happened, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the leading group in the fight for Muslim autonomy, was jubilant over it. This bodes well for the future of the hitherto neglected Bangsamoro region. I join them in their prayer that Nur Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) will likewise see the BOL as a viable road to peace and progress.

Of course, it is still to hurdle a referendum and loads of human-weakness-related problems can be expected to hamper its enforcement. As early as now, MILF leaders are already in fear of a possible temporary restraining order (TRO) that some group might file in court.

Furthermore, it is no surprise that the BOL was received not so much with a bang as with a whimper by the rest of the country. It only goes to show how unconcerned the other regions have been for the welfare of the Muslim people. The other side of the miracle that we need appreciate is that in spite of centuries of neglect and inferior treatment, the Bangsamoro people stuck to their Filipino progeny and chose the way of peace in the pursuit of autonomy.

I lived in Mindanao for more than two decades. In some of those years, I worked as Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (of the Mindanao Bishops’ Social Action Office) and brought food, medicines, kitchen utensils and housing materials to the civilian victims displaced by the war which was then between the government and the MNLF. All this time, I found myself staring in muted agony at the ugly specter of prejudice that not only deprived Muslims of sympathy but also fueled the war.

It is the ultimate irony in their lives that the people whom Spain never successfully conquered should end up among the most neglected in post-colonial Philippines. It was their love for freedom that impelled them to fight against centuries-old injustices that the BOL hopefully would now correct.

I hope that people can appreciate the BOL as a major victory for equality over prejudice, freedom over oppression, peace over war. We cannot imagine how many more innocent lives would be lost and how much more deeply into armed desperation the Bangsamoro people would sink if there was no BOL and they have to resume the war for autonomy.

Hence, if we can appreciate the BOL for the miracle that it is we should also contribute to its success.

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