Showing posts with label Moro Secession. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Moro Secession. Show all posts
Home
The old green and blue span
Teeming with melodies of life
An organized chaos, organic
Of creatures and created beings.
Three weeks and counting.
This expanse is bathe in red and black
The sky in sorrow and grey
A chaos, a wasteland.
The moon is lonely and crying -
Where have the stars gone?
The eerie silence is haunting
The stench of burned lives teeming.
This is what has become
A place we lovingly call home
Where love was born
Where love abounds.
Teeming with melodies of life
An organized chaos, organic
Of creatures and created beings.
Three weeks and counting.
This expanse is bathe in red and black
The sky in sorrow and grey
A chaos, a wasteland.
The moon is lonely and crying -
Where have the stars gone?
The eerie silence is haunting
The stench of burned lives teeming.
This is what has become
A place we lovingly call home
Where love was born
Where love abounds.
Secretary Roxas "Mananakop" Puzzle
DILG Sec Mar Roxas participated in the press brief of the Zamboanga City Crisis Management Committee (CMC) regularly. I am not sure if Tagalog or Filipino is his first language, but in his attempt to speak to the nation, he used the word and labelled the MNLF Misuari Group as "mananakop". This is uniquely Mar Roxas as most other government officials and media used the common words "rebels" or "rebelde".
"Mananakop"? Surprising!
When do we use this word? Looking back to our history and scanning through history books, we are made to understand that "mananakop" is associated with Spanish, Japanese and American colonial powers., i.e. "Ang mga Kastilang mananakop", "Mga mananakop na Hapon", Mga Amerikanong mananakop". In short, foreign aggressors.
Is he now implying that that the MNLF Misuari Group is a foreign aggressor? Is he inadvertently implying that the Bangsamoro Republik declared by Misuari group already a country? If not, Sulu and Basilan, from where most of the armed rebels came from, are they not part of the Philippine Republic? Therefore, Misuari's armed group in Zamboanga is a bunch of "mananakop" as in foreign troops invading a piece of our country?
Is Mar Roxas unilaterally abrogating the GRP-MNLF FPA and does not anymore recognize any of these rebels as citizens of this country? So why are we charging these them with rebellion and treason? How can they be rebels when Sec Roxas view them as "mananakop"? How can they be charge of treason when they owe no loyalty to our republic? In fact, according to Mar Roxas, they are not "rebelde", but "mananakop"!
Even the rebels will be puzzled. How can they be "mananakop" in their own homeland? Perhaps old habits never die, Mr Secretary? Okey Mr Secretary, let us return all the "mananakop" to where they came from. Shall we now return these Spanish creoles to Spain? And these settlers and their descendants back your home place in the Visayas and Luzon?
"Mananakop"? Surprising!
When do we use this word? Looking back to our history and scanning through history books, we are made to understand that "mananakop" is associated with Spanish, Japanese and American colonial powers., i.e. "Ang mga Kastilang mananakop", "Mga mananakop na Hapon", Mga Amerikanong mananakop". In short, foreign aggressors.
Is he now implying that that the MNLF Misuari Group is a foreign aggressor? Is he inadvertently implying that the Bangsamoro Republik declared by Misuari group already a country? If not, Sulu and Basilan, from where most of the armed rebels came from, are they not part of the Philippine Republic? Therefore, Misuari's armed group in Zamboanga is a bunch of "mananakop" as in foreign troops invading a piece of our country?
Is Mar Roxas unilaterally abrogating the GRP-MNLF FPA and does not anymore recognize any of these rebels as citizens of this country? So why are we charging these them with rebellion and treason? How can they be rebels when Sec Roxas view them as "mananakop"? How can they be charge of treason when they owe no loyalty to our republic? In fact, according to Mar Roxas, they are not "rebelde", but "mananakop"!
Even the rebels will be puzzled. How can they be "mananakop" in their own homeland? Perhaps old habits never die, Mr Secretary? Okey Mr Secretary, let us return all the "mananakop" to where they came from. Shall we now return these Spanish creoles to Spain? And these settlers and their descendants back your home place in the Visayas and Luzon?
Moro Ascription
When was the first time that we begun to accept the "Moro Identity" as our own?
Yes it was the Spaniards who first ascribed it on us, an umbrella of indigenous peoples largely in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan who profess a faith similar to the Moors of Northern Africa and who as Al-Andalusian overlords enjoyed hegemony over the Iberian peninsula for more than 600 years.
However, such ascription as applied in Minsupala area later on gained negative meanings. The term became synonymous with "pirates", "barbarics", "heathen", "uncivilized", etc. It was also a term Spaniards used to differentiate the "Moros" from other indigenous but conquered people, "the indios".
The Spaniards came in 1521 and only 3-4 decades later came into contact with us. This means, Our ancestors prior to this period have no knowledge of "Moro", it was not in their consciousness, it was not part of their identity nor was it ever their rallying point. Nothing.
After the Sapniards, the term was later on used by the Japanese and American colonial powers. The American government even created a "Moro Province" with headquarters in Zamboanga City.
However, it was not until the secessionist movement of the MNLF in the 70s that this term gain ascendancy as a unifying factor for all Islamized indigenous population who felt unsatisfied with the treatment of the national non-Muslim government and its imperial policies that disadvantaged and minoritized these Islamized indigenous peoples in their own homelands.
From MNLF, the term morphed into "Bangsamoro", "Bangsamoro Republik", and these days into "Bangsamoro Juridical Entity", "Bangsamoro Political Entity" and so on. The ascription continues. However it is now stuck in the political arena. There is a very thin line that connects these so-called Islamized ethno-linguistic groups. While often united by an external threat, it will not take long before each take comfort, consideration and revert to their ethno-linguistic groups.
There is also now an emergent belief that a political solution is the panacea for the Moro problem. Both the ascription and this panacea belief are problematic. For one Moros are not even settled on the form of government. Royalists prefer the return of the sultanate, leftists prefer a republic, right wings prefer the status quo, the religious prefer theocracy, and so no. Moros are also divided as to pursue independence or some form of federalism and or expanded autonomy. All of these, peace and non-peaceful in the name of the "Moro".
Yes it was the Spaniards who first ascribed it on us, an umbrella of indigenous peoples largely in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan who profess a faith similar to the Moors of Northern Africa and who as Al-Andalusian overlords enjoyed hegemony over the Iberian peninsula for more than 600 years.
However, such ascription as applied in Minsupala area later on gained negative meanings. The term became synonymous with "pirates", "barbarics", "heathen", "uncivilized", etc. It was also a term Spaniards used to differentiate the "Moros" from other indigenous but conquered people, "the indios".
The Spaniards came in 1521 and only 3-4 decades later came into contact with us. This means, Our ancestors prior to this period have no knowledge of "Moro", it was not in their consciousness, it was not part of their identity nor was it ever their rallying point. Nothing.
After the Sapniards, the term was later on used by the Japanese and American colonial powers. The American government even created a "Moro Province" with headquarters in Zamboanga City.
However, it was not until the secessionist movement of the MNLF in the 70s that this term gain ascendancy as a unifying factor for all Islamized indigenous population who felt unsatisfied with the treatment of the national non-Muslim government and its imperial policies that disadvantaged and minoritized these Islamized indigenous peoples in their own homelands.
From MNLF, the term morphed into "Bangsamoro", "Bangsamoro Republik", and these days into "Bangsamoro Juridical Entity", "Bangsamoro Political Entity" and so on. The ascription continues. However it is now stuck in the political arena. There is a very thin line that connects these so-called Islamized ethno-linguistic groups. While often united by an external threat, it will not take long before each take comfort, consideration and revert to their ethno-linguistic groups.
There is also now an emergent belief that a political solution is the panacea for the Moro problem. Both the ascription and this panacea belief are problematic. For one Moros are not even settled on the form of government. Royalists prefer the return of the sultanate, leftists prefer a republic, right wings prefer the status quo, the religious prefer theocracy, and so no. Moros are also divided as to pursue independence or some form of federalism and or expanded autonomy. All of these, peace and non-peaceful in the name of the "Moro".
Liberation Fronts and the Sultanate
The secessionist movement in Moroland was largely fueled by Moro leftists and religionists in the 70s. The Jabidah Massacre was just a trigger. Martial Law further inflamed the movement.
While both the Moro leftist and religionists recognize and point to the sultanate as historical basis for the secession; both leftists and religionists were in no mood to revive it as advocated by the royalists. The leftists do not recognize class segregation and domination of one royal family and the privilege of one family to reign/rule a country. The religionists abhors any form of politics and governance beyond the four rightly-guided caliphs and supports theocracy, a government, naturally, ruled by them.
Middle East politics and support somehow defined their position. The leftists like to point to Khadafi's Libya, Mubarak's Egypt, Saddam's Iraq and Assad's Syria as ideal set-up for their cause. In Libya, Egypt and Iraq, monarchy was abolished. The religionists see the Saudi model of Wahhabi ulama as their ideal. The unique role as head of the faith was wrestled by the foreign-trained ulama from the Sulu Sultan who was traditionally the leader of the faithfuls.
Therefore, all the moves that were taken that appear to support the sultanate was a tactical move to gain credence for the revolution. The consumated MNLF-GRP peace process and the on-going MILF-GPH peace process involved no Sultan nor is there any that favors the return of the sultanate.
Jabiddah Massacre at 45
18 March 1968 -
Jabidah Massacre, the trigger of the armed secession movement ...
Jabidah Massacre explained (Wikipedia), please click here ...
The Corregidor Massacre of 1968 (Corregidor Historic Society), please click here ...
Remembering their sacrifices
March 18 is Bangsamoro Day.
March 18 is essentially the anniversary of the Jabidah Massacre of 1968 [1]. The latter is considered pivotal in the formation of secessionist movement [2]. This year is the 43th anniversary of this massacre in Corrigedor Island off Manila Bay. About 50 Moro recruits were machine gunned by their military handlers when they refused to participate in Operation Merdeka - a covert military operation to instigate dissent and annex Sabah to the Philippines.
One man, Jibin Arula [3], survived to tell the tale. Despite of court proceedings in both military and civilian courts, the case moved only into the thicket of the unresolved cases in the justice system where it is today [4].
Beyond this massacre, I would like to believe that this is also the day to remember our ancestors, their sacrifices and the fight for freedom. Today it is to pay homage the bravery of Moro individuals who committed parang-sabil, and those in groups who raised the banner of freedom and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Men and women and young who were victims of atrocities, for no fault of their own save to be identified as Moros.
We the present generation are indebted to them. We look back in awe of their courage, patience and determination. The same values we hope to emulate and dedicate to the next generations of Moros until liberty is at hand and the benefits of freedom are enjoyed.
Postscript:
Today, we call on those who are leading in our name, learn to look back and be humbled by the sacrifice of our ancestors. They fought with their lives to enjoy the goods we have today. Have you done the same? What have you done beyond enriching yourselves and turning public office into a family livelihood?
Shame on those who are not humbled by the past and by the misery of the present. If you are not afraid of the present because you are in power, then be afraid of the future when you are all long gone and your deeds scrutinize for what it is worth. Be warned, the future is sure to come as is the curse of the next generations.
The same is true to those in our midst and among our ranks who tend to downplay the significance of this massacre. Remember the massacres committed by the Spaniards in the name of religion and subjugation. Remember the Bud Dajo massacre committed by the American regime. Remember the Jabidah massacre committed by the Philippine military. Remember the recent one in Maguindanao committed by our own. Our history is replete with it. Beyond remembering, what can we do today to make sure this is not committed in our time and in the future?
Sources:
[1] The Corregidor Massacre of 1968
[2] Bangsamoro Day commemorates
[3] Lone survivor recalls Jabidah massacre
[4] Jabidah Massacre
March 18 is essentially the anniversary of the Jabidah Massacre of 1968 [1]. The latter is considered pivotal in the formation of secessionist movement [2]. This year is the 43th anniversary of this massacre in Corrigedor Island off Manila Bay. About 50 Moro recruits were machine gunned by their military handlers when they refused to participate in Operation Merdeka - a covert military operation to instigate dissent and annex Sabah to the Philippines.
One man, Jibin Arula [3], survived to tell the tale. Despite of court proceedings in both military and civilian courts, the case moved only into the thicket of the unresolved cases in the justice system where it is today [4].
Beyond this massacre, I would like to believe that this is also the day to remember our ancestors, their sacrifices and the fight for freedom. Today it is to pay homage the bravery of Moro individuals who committed parang-sabil, and those in groups who raised the banner of freedom and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Men and women and young who were victims of atrocities, for no fault of their own save to be identified as Moros.
We the present generation are indebted to them. We look back in awe of their courage, patience and determination. The same values we hope to emulate and dedicate to the next generations of Moros until liberty is at hand and the benefits of freedom are enjoyed.
Postscript:
Today, we call on those who are leading in our name, learn to look back and be humbled by the sacrifice of our ancestors. They fought with their lives to enjoy the goods we have today. Have you done the same? What have you done beyond enriching yourselves and turning public office into a family livelihood?
Shame on those who are not humbled by the past and by the misery of the present. If you are not afraid of the present because you are in power, then be afraid of the future when you are all long gone and your deeds scrutinize for what it is worth. Be warned, the future is sure to come as is the curse of the next generations.
The same is true to those in our midst and among our ranks who tend to downplay the significance of this massacre. Remember the massacres committed by the Spaniards in the name of religion and subjugation. Remember the Bud Dajo massacre committed by the American regime. Remember the Jabidah massacre committed by the Philippine military. Remember the recent one in Maguindanao committed by our own. Our history is replete with it. Beyond remembering, what can we do today to make sure this is not committed in our time and in the future?
Sources:
[1] The Corregidor Massacre of 1968
[2] Bangsamoro Day commemorates
[3] Lone survivor recalls Jabidah massacre
[4] Jabidah Massacre
Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
A Maas lore
Note: "Maas" is a Tausog word for "elder" or "leader".
______________
Under your shadow we grew up listening -
Tales of freedom, justice and compassion,
Fighting for our rights and never to give up.
Your determination infected us all.
Though variedly, we carried the same passion.
You took a forsaken name to unify us.
We dress ourselves in that name following your lead.
You taught us to put our trust to high heaven.
You walk us through history and what might be.
You gave us hope of something better to come.
But what have you become our Maas?
Where have all the sacrifices gone?
What have become of your lead?
Why are we like this, worse than before?
How did it all end this way?
Is this the end of our collective journey?
We blame you not for what we have become
For your mirror who and what we are.
You think and talk our angst and frustration,
You feel and touch our tenderness.
You sense and project who we are.
For what we have become
For where we have gone
For how we have done it and currently doing
For why we think, feel and do they way we are
For all of these, we reflect on you.
So what now oh Maas of our time?
How shall we continue our struggle
Or descend into oblivion?
Be content with what have we become?
Or like your hope, we do, not too late.
______________
Under your shadow we grew up listening -
Tales of freedom, justice and compassion,
Fighting for our rights and never to give up.
Your determination infected us all.
Though variedly, we carried the same passion.
You took a forsaken name to unify us.
We dress ourselves in that name following your lead.
You taught us to put our trust to high heaven.
You walk us through history and what might be.
You gave us hope of something better to come.
But what have you become our Maas?
Where have all the sacrifices gone?
What have become of your lead?
Why are we like this, worse than before?
How did it all end this way?
Is this the end of our collective journey?
We blame you not for what we have become
For your mirror who and what we are.
You think and talk our angst and frustration,
You feel and touch our tenderness.
You sense and project who we are.
For what we have become
For where we have gone
For how we have done it and currently doing
For why we think, feel and do they way we are
For all of these, we reflect on you.
So what now oh Maas of our time?
How shall we continue our struggle
Or descend into oblivion?
Be content with what have we become?
Or like your hope, we do, not too late.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)