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- EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN – SciTech & Digital News
MANILA (SDN) — The Bangsamoro region is family, among its 13 Moro ethno-linguistic communities. Every tribe contributed mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, who spilled and contributed blood and guts, arms and limbs in the struggle for the Bangsamoro self-determination.
Family is also Indigenous People (IPs) and Christians who joined the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for, they, too, contributed and shared in the struggle.
In fact, it is not a stretch to say the majority of those killed — said to be between 120,000 and 200,000 people — in the Mindanao war that broke out in early 1970’s were Moros, non-Muslims. Civilians, rebels, and soldiers.
It was a war that should never happen again, pitting Filipinos against Filipinos.
Their spilt blood, sweat, and tears created rivers of agony, pain, and suffering, perhaps, untold even in the darkest period of the Moro existence. Maybe, this is a stretch, already? Maybe not.
But is the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen a stretch on the question for the plebiscite of January 21, 2019, for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL)?
Leonen was University of the Philippines (UP) professor, then a former chief negotiator of the Philippine government (GPH) in part of the 17 years peace negotiations with the then separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Recall that the High Tribunal announced on Monday, September 9, its affirmation of the BOL’s constitutionality, at the same time negating Sulu as a component province of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The regional autonomy’s core territory was inherited by law from the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and those that would be won in a plebiscite.
BARMM leaders felt mixed emotions over the decision, sweet and bitter, joy and sorrow. That’s why the Bangsamoro leadership has in mind going to explore legal measures to win back Sulu and reconnect it to the umbilical cord of the Bangsamoro family.
At least two Moro leaders demonstrated they did not agree with the denial of Sulu’s familial ties to the region.
Dr. Macapado Muslim, former president of the Mindanao State University (MSU) System, sent to SDN — SciTech & Digital News a Sample Ballot of the political exercise.
It said: “Payag ba kayo na pagtibayin ang Batas Republika Blg. 11054 na kilala din bilang ‘Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao?” Translation: Do you agree to ratify the Republic Act No. 11054, which is also known as ‘Organic Law of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao?)
In his opinion, the plebiscite question for voters of Sulu “is about their disapproval or approval of the BOL, which provides for some changes in the structure and powers of the ARMM (as provided in R.A. No. 6734, as amended by R.A. No. 9054.”
They should think about unity of Moro tribes in the region
Dr. Muslim explains: “It is not about their decision to be included or excluded from the BARMM. I believe there is a strong case for an MR (Motion for Reconsideration) with the Supreme Court, particularly on the aspect of the exclusion or removal of Sulu from BARMM. To me, the said SC (Supreme Court) decision is constitutionally flawed.”
That’s one big statement from the Maranao educator, and he has some support for it.
From Sweden, Dr. Parouk S. Hussin, former regional governor of ARMM in 2001 to 2005, called SDN on the night of Wednesday, September 11, to air his sentiments.
“I am just concern over the very disturbing, very sad news on the removal of Sulu from BARMM,” he started off.
“You know, for them to do that, they do not like to have peace and stability in the region, because the unity of the different tribes, Tausug, Maranao, Maguindanaon, Yakan, Samal, and others, including the tribal communities, their unity is a key element to an enduring peace in the Philippines,” Hussin, one of the top leaders of the MNLF, added.
He recalled that when he was ARMM regional governor, “there was very harmonious relationship between the members of the ARMM. It was an important element. The unity of our people is a very important element for peace.”
Now, they (without mentioning names) will remove the contributions of the Tausug people, they will isolate (them). He noted that the plebiscite was more on the structural change on economic provisions in the transition from ARMM to BARMM.
“I think it was not an issue on territory, or territorial delineation,” the former ARMM regional chief executive pointed out, the same opinion with Prof. Muslim
“They should think about our unity in the region, it is very important element for enduring peace. Kung guguluhin nila muli (They want to mess it up again). You know, Sulu was the most troubled spot in the country, but until recently I think it is the most peaceful, credit to the leadership of Sulu,” Hussin said.
He said the scourge of kidnapping has gone, a credit to the Tausug people, then they will again create trouble. “Sulu will not return (to BARMM) if they are not wanted. They are not called ‘People of the Current’ for no reason. They know how to survive.”
Hussin has a question to ask.
“But the question is, what people will abandon the Tausug who are very much part of the struggle, and part of who we are now in the region. Remove them just like that?”
Hussin Cabinet in harmonious relationship, also ARMM constituency
The erstwhile ARMM regional governor said they should not allow one man (to destroy) the big efforts of Presidents Fidel V. Ramos, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Joseph Estrada even, towards the attainment of peace.
Hussin did not name any person or persons who is he suspecting for the diminution of the BARMM after Sulu is out.
He was quick to point out, though, that he recognizes the good performance of the Bangsamoro government under the leadership of interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag “Al-Haj Murad” Ebrahim.
“I heard that the performance of Murad is good.”
Which can mean that his sight is trained on people outside the Bangsamoro region for his suspicion, or at least doubts.
“Governance is good in the BARMM. It is credit to the leadership of the BARMM. They are doing well, I think. That is important,” he said.
“We are moving towards peace and development in the region, then they remove Sulu. What will happen to Sulu. They will survive, as I said, in bad times and in good times. I know the Tausug.
“My position is, I want the continuance of good governance in the region, stability, peace, security, and the harmonious working relationship of all the region’s constituency, including the Tausug.”
Hussin continued his laments.
“And then somebody, one man will disturb this development. The national government should do something. The Tausug will not beg to rejoin BARMM, because they can survive.
“This is a plot. This is a political move. I can’t think of anything. The situation is already very good: The most problematic is the province (of Sulu) and now is the most peaceful. They will isolate Sulu, that is not right. There is something going on there.”
In his time as ARMM regional governor, he said his Cabinet members had very harmonious relationship and all the component provinces of the region. “It is a very sad development (this time), this is something for concern.”
Obviously, Prof. Muslim and Dr. Hussin want BARMM to become a complete family again with Sulu. (♡)