This was not the first time in Mindanao. (By God, even nations around the world had similar problems with creeping Muslim communities amidst them that can become breeding nests for terrorist operatives.) Provinces like the Zamboangas also noted this kind of creeping dominion; although in certain areas families and relatives of separatists did the subtle presence in certain areas where they later would show no plan to leave. Good that in Davao City they have a Duterte who cannot be bullied or manipulated that easily. Other towns and cities do not have the guts to put pressure on these potential "ancestral claimants" later on.
While I am for peace in Mindanao. I am also aware that these separatists can be master manipulators, political liars, and outright self-serving. The recurring problems with these armed groups refused to find resolution for decades, and the claims for ancestrals increase with every new group that bring their claims into the negotiating table. The MNLF solution failed to satisfy a breakaway group, the MILF. And now although still far from reaching a resolution with the MILF, there is another breakaway again, the BIFF.
The issue on ancestral claim is a historically shaky one. For one thing, Muslims are not the first people in Mindanao, or in the rest of the Philippines for that matter. If being ahead provides the right to an "ancestral" land, that can only be claimed by non-Muslim tribes such as the Subanons in the Zamboanga peninsula, the Igorots in Mountain Province, and similar non-Muslim tribes in the rest of Mindanao and the Visayas. Although certain areas may have Muslims as the first settlers.
The rightful claim of the Moros are not ancestral ones, but the right for protection against illegal displacement from the lands they own. Unless Christians unlawfully took away Muslim lands, the Moros have no claim on the prejudice of Mindanao Christian communities. If a Muslim sell or barter their land in exchange of goods or money from the Christians, had they still have the claim over the land concerned? Our land laws, say, "No." But will these separatists stop and accept it.
The incident in Davao City is a proof that these Muslim separatists want to claim Christian lands as their own using guns and manipulation, or what have you.
It is inherent in people of good will to respect the rights of others, and not steal their properties away from them either by deception or outright gun-tottering. (This is something I cannot find among Moro separatists.) The peace situation in Mindanao is frustrating because of these evil motives of separatists even while the government generously makes serious effort to find peace there.
At the end of the day, while peace must be the prime rule, when dealing with evil however, people of good will must demand honesty and responsibility, and certainly a clear deadline where both sides must strive together to meet in order to establish peace. Otherwise, negotiations can be a waste of time, effort and money that can productively be used to improve the lives of people who sincerely want peace in their communities.
While I am for peace in Mindanao. I am also aware that these separatists can be master manipulators, political liars, and outright self-serving. The recurring problems with these armed groups refused to find resolution for decades, and the claims for ancestrals increase with every new group that bring their claims into the negotiating table. The MNLF solution failed to satisfy a breakaway group, the MILF. And now although still far from reaching a resolution with the MILF, there is another breakaway again, the BIFF.
The issue on ancestral claim is a historically shaky one. For one thing, Muslims are not the first people in Mindanao, or in the rest of the Philippines for that matter. If being ahead provides the right to an "ancestral" land, that can only be claimed by non-Muslim tribes such as the Subanons in the Zamboanga peninsula, the Igorots in Mountain Province, and similar non-Muslim tribes in the rest of Mindanao and the Visayas. Although certain areas may have Muslims as the first settlers.
The rightful claim of the Moros are not ancestral ones, but the right for protection against illegal displacement from the lands they own. Unless Christians unlawfully took away Muslim lands, the Moros have no claim on the prejudice of Mindanao Christian communities. If a Muslim sell or barter their land in exchange of goods or money from the Christians, had they still have the claim over the land concerned? Our land laws, say, "No." But will these separatists stop and accept it.
The incident in Davao City is a proof that these Muslim separatists want to claim Christian lands as their own using guns and manipulation, or what have you.
It is inherent in people of good will to respect the rights of others, and not steal their properties away from them either by deception or outright gun-tottering. (This is something I cannot find among Moro separatists.) The peace situation in Mindanao is frustrating because of these evil motives of separatists even while the government generously makes serious effort to find peace there.
At the end of the day, while peace must be the prime rule, when dealing with evil however, people of good will must demand honesty and responsibility, and certainly a clear deadline where both sides must strive together to meet in order to establish peace. Otherwise, negotiations can be a waste of time, effort and money that can productively be used to improve the lives of people who sincerely want peace in their communities.
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