Is the BBL Intent
Made Clear
by the MNLF “story”
of a Bangsamoro Republik?
By Apolinario Villalobos
Ever since MILF came out with its BBL proposal that shall
pave the ground for the establishment of the Bangsamoro, some Filipinos did not
believe its sincerity as for them, the MNLF and BIFF are not really excluded
from the picture. For the suspicious, even the death of the bomb maker, Basit
Usman was caused only by a petty misunderstanding between the low-ranking
members of the MILF and his (Usman) party that led to provocation and later,
the deadly altercation. As for the MNLF, some parties believe that it has a
mutual understanding with MILF that stands until the passing of the unrevised
BBL. Fortunately, lawmakers discovered that
some of BBL’s provisions are leading towards the establishment of a separate
state.
When the delay for the passing of the BBL was delayed, there
was an immediate reaction from the MNLF. Even Malaysia was alarmed, a
questionable reaction as it was just expected to be an observer…and the only
one that reacted. The delay is in view of the government’s intention to ensure
that the BBL will maintain the status of Bangsamoro as an integral part of the
country. Malaysia even warned of trouble, an uncalled for remark….but why? What
is its interest in the ongoing process?
Now, the MNLF is saying that its plan is to establish a
Bangsamoro Republik that would include the whole of Mindanao, Sulu and
Tawi-tawi islands, Palawan, Sarawak and Sabah, with Malaysia, supposedly behind
this effort. Is this the reason why the
Sulu sultanate is not supportive of BBL? Why did MNLF come out with such
statement only now when there is a problem with the passing of the BBL? Is this
not a ploy to force the lawmakers to double time the passing of the BBL, so
that they can proceed to the next stage which is the compromise between the
MILF, MNLF, and BIFF for the eventual establishment of the republic, a feat
which will not require much sweat as the Bangsamoro of MILF, based on the
unrevised BBL is a virtual separate state, so leaders can do as they wish?
Meanwhile, the BIFF may come in as the republic’s military arm.
If the Bangsamoro Republik will push through, it can easily
join Malaysia’s federation as a federal state.
Ethnically, the light-skinned Filipinos without trace of
white people’s blood, can trace their ancestry to the Malays. Though disputed,
the story of the Ten Bornean Datus who came to the shores of the Philippines to
escape the tyranny of their sultan, Makatunaw, tells some. The ten Bornean
datus purportedly first landed in the Visayas, particularly Panay, and
negotiated with Marikudo, the chieftain of the black-skinned pygmies locally
called “ati”, for the purchase of land
which they successfully did using a “sadok” (hat) made of gold for the
chieftain and a long necklace of gold for his wife, Maniwantiwan or Maniwangtiwang.
In another legend, the payment included a basin of gold. From Panay island,
some datus sailed down to Mindanao, and some to Luzon where they settled. That
is why when the Spaniards came, they found settlements of Mohammedans in Manila
and some islands ruled by the “lakans” and “datus”.
As regards Mindanao, briefly, this is how its Islamization
and peopling by those from Malaysia, came about: In 1380, Islam was introduced in Sulu via
Malacca, by Mudum (Makdum?); followed by Rajah Baginda of Menangkabaw, Sumatra
in 1390; and further, followed by Abu Bakr (Bakar) who left Palembang for Sulu
in 1450 and married Rajah Baginda’s daughter, Paramisuli. On mainland Mindanao,
Serif (Sharif) Kabungsuan, arrived from Johore and also laid down the
foundation of Islam. He eventually became the first Sultan of Mindanao, from
where, it rapidly spread to Visayas and Luzon. The arrival of the Spaniards
made the Muslims retreat to the hinterlands. Their presence in Luzon was
confirmed by the Spaniards who called them “Moros” which was intentionally used
for its bad repute, but later cleansed by Filipino Muslims with much effort and
success.
Another group of settlers, known as Orang Dampuans, came to
Mindanao from the south of Annam with the sole purpose of establishing a
trading post. The Sulu people when they came were then, called Buranun. The
Orang Dampuans were followed by the traders from Banjarmasin and Brunei,
important states of the Sri Vijaya Empire. The people of Banjarmasin were
called Banjar who brought their
beautiful princess to Sulu, and was offered for marriage to the Buranun ruler.
With the marriage, Sulu came under the influence of Banjarmasin and from the
union, came the rulers of Sulu.
As gleaned from the pages of history, there was a
two-pronged movement of people from the Malaysian archipelago, with one that
settled first in Panay, in the central Philippines, from where they spread to
other islands, and with the massive one that also introduced Islam, that
settled first in Sulu and mainland Mindanao, and eventually spread to Visayas
and Luzon, until the arrival of the colonizing Spaniards.
The conversion of the majority of Filipinos into
Christianity by the colonizing Spaniards made the archipelago “the only
Christian-dominated” country in Asia. Unfortunately, despite such spiritual
status, many if not most of its officials, do not live up to it, as they proved
to be corrupt which is very un-Christian.
On the other hand, Malaysia has a lot to explain if indeed,
what the MNLF claims is true. It will come out that they betrayed the trust of
the Philippine government when it was asked to sit as observer in its
negotiation with MILF. The betrayal is in their cuddling of Nur Misuari and his
Bangsamoro Republik advocacy, all the while, that the peace process is going
on. Malaysia should vehemently deny it publicly if only to prove that it can
still be trusted by the Philippine government. Its silence could mean something
which may have a negative implication.
If the people of the whole of Mindanao and Palawan will be
made to understand the whole situation that leans heavily on ethnic history of
the country, a lot of patience is needed as Christianity has been deeply
imbedded in their heart and mind. If the Bangsamoro Republik will materialiaze,
definitely, those who live within the territory will no longer be called“Filipino”
but “Moro”, as the state will be called “Bangsamoro” or “land of the Moro”.
On solid lands where states or countries are situated, thin
demarcation lines that indicate territorial boundary separate them from each
other, guarded by foot patrols. If the Bangsamoro Republic materializes,
Mindanao and Palawan will be separated from Luzon and Visayas by significantly
wide body of water and channels.
The Philippines as an archipelago is “united” by the
commercial airlines and roll on-roll off ferries, but not well secured because
of the inadequate navy and military facilities. These security contingents use
second hand equipment, which are either purchased at bargain prices using
measly budget provided by the government or donated by sympathizing countries.
And, even the purchases were not spared by evil minded officials as they reeked
of corruption. The negligence and
corruption in the Philippine government in this regard have caused the immense
suffering of the Filipinos in general.
Finally, I do not think the zealous Muslim Filipinos would
have thought of the separation, if only the Philippine government has been fair
to all the citizens. Corrupt Muslim government officials, on the other hand,
should not be blamed solely for their neglect of Mindanao, as the same neglect
is also prevalent in the Visayas and Luzon regions, committed by Christian
officials. In other words, corruption is
prevalent in the whole system of the Philippine republic. And there are even
more of these corrupt Christian officials in the central government, so these
hypocrite better stop their finger pointing while the innocent ordinary
Filipinos, both Muslims and Chrisitians, are left desperately apprehensive, confused,
and helpless, as their beloved country is at the verge of being dissected!
