Let us not succumb to the discordant notes of division but, instead, strive to preserve the tapestry of peace that binds us together
In the ominous shadow of Mindanao, a tale unfolds, woven with the echoes of peace agreements and the discordant notes of a former leader’s perilous gamble.
The Bangsamoro people, standing resolute against the turbulent winds of secession, reject Rodrigo Duterte’s dangerous proposition, vowing to safeguard the hard-earned gains of their peace process.
In the heart of Cotabato City, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliament members boldly assert their allegiance to the peace compacts with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
These agreements, a result of diligent and arduous negotiation, granted Muslims, Christians, and indigenous people the power to govern their geopolitical territory.
Yet, Duterte, blinded by ambition, seeks to demolish this progress with his call for Mindanao’s independence.
A ranking Moro member of the parliament, shrouded in anonymity, emphasizes their traditional ownership of Mindanao and the unwavering commitment to the peace agreements.
This stance echoes the sentiment of a region unwilling to surrender the fruits of their hard-fought peace efforts.
BARMM’s Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, chairman of the MILF’s central committee, stands as a pillar of fidelity to the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro.
Ebrahim extols the right to self-determination enshrined in the agreement, acknowledging the strides made in its implementation.
The MILF, appreciative of past and present Philippine presidents, underscores the importance of autonomy for the Bangsamoro people.
The story unravels further as the Maranaw grains trader, Samsudin Saripada, recounts the high cost paid by Moro guerrillas in their quest for autonomy.
Blood, sweat, and tears paved the way to the autonomy now enjoyed by Muslim, Christian, and IP communities in BARMM.
In stark contrast to this tapestry of peace stands Duterte, orchestrating a dangerous symphony of division.
His call for Mindanao’s independence emerges as a self-serving and reckless gamble, threatening the harmony built over decades.
The unity among Muslims, Christians, and indigenous tribes in BARMM becomes a lighthouse of hope, a testament that the rest of the Philippines must heed.
Yet, another player enters the stage – Carlito Galvez Jr., a Duterte-appointed ex-AFP chief turned presidential adviser on peace.
Galvez, once an instrumental figure in Duterte’s administration, now urges Filipinos to reject the siren call of Mindanao secession. He denounces the idea as unconstitutional, in direct contradiction to the spirit of the Philippine Constitution, the very foundation of the nation’s identity.
Galvez points out the rewards reaped from the comprehensive peace process, citing the Bangsamoro Organic Law signed by Duterte himself in 2018.
He warns against jeopardizing the progress made, urging citizens to learn from the past and embrace the lessons of peace.
In this dark drama, the calls for secession, spearheaded by Duterte’s non-permanent ally of convenience, Pantaleon Alvarez, take center stage.
However, leaders of BARMM, including Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, vehemently oppose these calls, pledging to adhere to the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro for the right to self-determination.
Amidst the chaos, Rep. Raoul Manuel suggests a chilling motive behind Duterte’s push for Mindanao’s secession – an attempt to evade the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
The ICC’s investigation into Duterte’s controversial “war on drugs” raises questions about the true intentions behind this perilous gambit.
As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that Duterte, once a leader entrusted with the nation’s welfare, has become the villain preying on the aspirations of the Filipino people.
I implore my fellow Filipinos to reject this dark narrative, to unite, and uphold the sovereignty of the Philippines.
Let us not succumb to the discordant notes of division but, instead, strive to preserve the tapestry of peace that binds us together. In this crucial moment, let the unity of all Filipinos, including the Bangsamoro people, lead us toward a future where peace and prosperity prevail.
