STOP MILITARY OPERATIONS: PURSUE PEACETALK!
Why Christian Filipinos Should Support Bangsamoro Right to Self - Determination?
An Open Letter
Iligan City
(First published on October 2, 2008)
In Behalf of the Christian and Lumad settlers in the Bangsamoro homeland, we humbly share with you our opinion in lieu of the GRP-MILF conflict and the escalation of violence in
We believe that the Bangsamoro’s Right to Self-Determination (RSD) is a rightful claim that should be afforded favorably by the government in consonant to the universal declaration of human rights. The claim of RSD is a healthy exercise of the indigenous and marginalized sectors in the Philippine society especially the ones undergoing extreme poverty and deprivation. The Moro people’s demand of their ancestral domain is the most urgent one -- firstly because it has caused wars for centuries now, and secondly, the claimant has their own social system distinct from the Philippine mainstream society.
Such people require self-governance and inter-state relationship with the national government in order for them to live productively and in harmony with the entire country. The question of Constitutional limitations in realizing MILF demand has far superseded by the imminence of civil war and the irreversible escalation of violence which endangers national security.
Philippine history affirms Bangsamoro nationhood to be existent all over Philippine archipelago long before the Spanish conquest. The Bangsamoro was then a peaceful society of dynamic people that have rich culture and enjoys economic prosperity. They have reached advance social system and they had acquired significant trade relations with neighboring countries.
But in due time, this Moro society inferior in their casual community-based defense system was then subdued by the invading superior force of armies with galleons of advance weaponry and war tactics the world ever had. The Moro cities and communities all over the archipelago were then engulfed one after another by military and religious domination. Most of their people were assimilated to Christianity but there were also many who have endured resistance. For more than four hundred years of subjugation, there still remain today a determined Bangsamoro in the hills and among us. Yet their territories had been constricted to the ARMM, their Muslim law has been compromised, their freedom has been usurped, their development has been altered and their society has been corrupted, but the Bangsamoro still thrives in Islam and determined with the struggle for self determination.
One should realize the fact that the principles of Bangsamoro existence lie on the ever-present elements of nationhood their society has attained since time immemorial. Furthermore, its religion of Islam has been serving them completely – encompasses everything of a Moro from the womb to the grave and until the life hereafter in so detailed wisdom and practical values. Islam is feeding the Moros a timeless strength and resolve to remain Muslims from generations to generations. The very least of their comfort is their tribal pride and the rooted identity they can bank on.
In a vernacular, Islam is indeed like an oil in the pail of water. The water may have overwhelming quantity will eventually evaporate under the heat of the sun. Unlike the oil that remains stable in substance and quantity, the water under the heat will easily break down to separate elements and dries up leaving ashes of impurities.
The Moro has their own way of life very different and usually opposite from the majority Christians in the country. They are entirely ruled by Islam contrary to the law of the land separating church and state. And besides, we should accept what history has proven of the Moro -- unless they are annihilated altogether, their right of self-determination remains a quest that compel rebellion. With the current circus of economic and political crisis in the country that is further complicated by the US geopolitical interest in the region, these and all other issues in the Bangsamoro will spell deaths, endless conflicts, terrorism and worst, an Afghanistan-like “anti-terror” devastation.
Not even an “expanded ARMM” or an improved Muslim Code suffice Bangsamoro need of national freedom and self-determination. However, a Bangsamoro Juridical Entity in the MOA-AD could have lead to peaceful reconstruction of the Moro society to co-exist with the rest. By then, Islamization will gradually transform the Moro people towards attaining their aspired development. These are in effect will overwhelm the social blights corrupting their society while their Shariah is in the process expand its rule to institute their self-regulations, advances the peoples rights and welfare and enforce social security for the Muslim, Christian and Lumad settlers alike. Moro will then be good a Moro with their own justice system. With the provision on “Dhimmies,” (a law in the Shariah that protects the non-Muslims in a Muslim territory) non-Muslim communities inside Muslim territories can enjoy freedom of their chosen faith, ways and practices that are free from harm, intervention or any form of injustices under a Muslim rule.
THEREFORE, we affirmed support for the Bangsamoro Right to Self-Determination to be realized the soonest possible time. Let not ignorance rule our society. Let us help one another to rectify the wicked course of the Philippine history. By God’s will, we shall overcome these wars and reconstruct
(Sgd) Nelson L. Mandiang
(Sgd) Christopher M. Lluch
Justice for Bangsamoro Movement contact person: Jun (0919) 359-9058
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