Emergence of Bangsamoro secessionism

Section 1: Right to Self- Determinataion

•According to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (the ICCPR), ‘all peoples have the
right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely
pursue their economic, social and cultural development.'
•;Only a ‘people', not an individual, can exercise the right.

Section 2: Excerpt of PD 1081 s. 1972

•Unsettled conflict between Christian “Ilagas” and Muslim “Barracudas”, and between government
troops and Mindanao Independence Movement
• Many portions of the islands of Mindanao and Sulu are virtually at war right now.
•The killing of over 1,000 civilians and about 2,000 armed Muslims and Christians, more than 500,000
injured.
•Supressing of the present lawless violence through armed forces, Suspension of the privilege of the
writ of habeas corpus, martial law.

Events that triggered Bangsamoro secessionism:

•North Borneo has become part of the Sulu Sultanate after it was awarded by the Sultan of Brunei when
the former helped the latter in expelling his enemies during rebellion in 1568.
•1878 – The Dutch Baron von Overbeck asked the Sultan of Sulu to lease the said territory to him for
5000 Ringgit.
•North Borneo was turned over to the Malaysian Federation after the British Company was dissolved.
•1962 – President Diosdado Macapagal raise a diplomatic protest that the North Borneo should be part
in the Philippines.
•1963 – North Borneo was turned over to Malaysia, after a United Nations Mission said that a seizable
majority of North Borneo’s population favored joining with the Malaysian federation.
•When Marcos became president, was reported to have authorized the formation of a top-secret
military group tasked with infiltrating and attacking Sabah. The recruits were mainly from Sulu and Tawi
– Tawi. The operation was known as OPLAN Merdila, to liberate North Borneo/Sabah.
•”Jabidah Massacare” - The Moro trainees mutinied after knowing the real mission, they were allegedly
ordered to be massacred. 68 of the Moro recruits were killed.
• 1968 – The Jabidah massacared resulted into the formation of Muslim Independence Movement
(MIM)
•”Ilaga” of Christians and “Barracuda” of of Muslims were formed. These vigilant groups aimed to attack
and raid opposing communities.
•1973 – The presence of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) started to make its presence felt by the
public when it started claiming credit for the series of fighting in Mindanao and Sulu.
•President Marcos declared martial Law and tried to suppress the Bangsamoro aspiration for their right
to self – determination.
•1975 - The Revolutionary activities was so intense and Marcos eventually agreed to open up
negotiations with the MNLF
•1976 – The government and MNLF signed the Tripoli Agreement through the mediation of the
Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)
• The Tripoli Agreement however did not bring peace to Mindanao as the government unilaterally
implemented the agreement points. The MNLF went back to guerilla warfare.
•1996 – The Ramos administration succeeded in securing a peace deal with the MNLF. The war between
the government and MNLF from 1970s up to 1996 exacted heavy human and economic cost of more
than 73 billion pesos.
•1997 – Hashim Salamat broke away with Nur Misuari(Chairman of MNLF) after he thought a genuine
autonomy under the present set – up is not realistic. Hasim Salamat organized the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF).
•2000 – President Estrada declared an all – out – war against MILF. The government combat expenses
reached 6 billion pesos.

Cause and effect of secessionism

The Philippine revolution was the climax of our collective response to a number of conditions that had
systematically denied our forefathers access to the fruits of scientific and social development. Anything
rooted in sociopolitical and economic structures that disadvantages or harms individuals is referred to as
structural violence in the context of peace and development.

Often, it is structural violence that pushes people to complain, resist and even rebel against
governments that do not do anything to alter the bad social and economic conditions of people. In a
metaphor, we can cogently say: “rebellion is just the fruit while structural violence is the root”.

How should we respond to the Bangsamoro aspiration for their right to self – determination?

They became citizens of a republic that needs to work very hard on nation-building – a work that entails
promoting a sense of belongingness and loyalty among diverse groups of people who are not only
divided by history and geography but more importantly by culture and diverging sense of identity.

Moros and Lumads need the Christian Filipino majority to understand, appreciate and accept them.
Teaching various things in school that their country is the Philippines, what is the national language and
etc. will never be enough. Becoming a Filipino is a process, not just by being part and living in the
Philippines but for accepting them and diminishing possible actions that only leads to violence and war.
Discrimination and biased treatment had always been the cost of various conflicts. It is everyone’s
responsibility of nation – building not only to the government but also to the people.
Lesson Learned

In his article "Indolence of the Filipinos," Dr. Jose Rizal urged us not to muddle the cause from the effect
of phenomena by arguing that the Filipinos' indolence is not the cause but a result of the country's
backwardness. Indeed, Rizal's insight is still significant when considering the Bangsamoro uprising in
Mindanao.

Along with the discussion of topics and series of events after the world war II. Certain problems,
conflicts, and violence continues to generate. The Bangsamoro secessionism, Jabidah Massacare (killings
of 68 morro recruits, “to liberaete North Borneo”, attacks and counter attacks between Ilaga and
Barracuda, decleration of martial law, enlarging of war between forces of the government and MNLF as
well as the formation of MILF. These events made us to think of a rhetorical question “Who is to
blame?”, besides opposing forces only wanted almost the same vision; Justice, peace, equality,
education, economic development and many more. Yet all of it sided into a structural violence and war.