Contempory Moro Struggle - Misdirected Energy

The PDI reports 26 killed in MILF attacks today in Lanao del Norte and Sarangani provinces. This is exercise simply serve to increase the suffering of the Bangsomoro. Direct effects to fellow moros include displacement from their homes when MILF troops pass by their area while withdrawing form government troops and disruption of development the moro people (however small). Indirectly, Muslims and Islam (particularly since the MILF carries the word "Islamic" in its name) suffer image-wise in the eyes of others.

Who gains from these attacks? Local ARMM officials must be smiling from ear to ear right about now. International funds pour into the ARMM in billions every year. The people see only a small fraction (very very small) of those funds converted into development. Non-government organizations supposedly working in the ARMM are not exempt from corruption. President Evil suggested yesterday that the Mindanao peace efforts be spearheaded by NGOs. That would be good if and only if there are decent NGOs operating in the ARMM (Manila-based supposed Muslim NGOs do not count).

How can the MILF spend their energy best? Please make sure development funds in the ARMM do not go to corruption. Send a cadre of young MILF men and women to school to study good governance and Islamic values. Im sure Muslim countries will give them scholarships. When they come back, the Moro people would have true qualified leaders to manage the ARMM. Islamic governance produces positive results. Iran suffered greatly from its war with Iraq and the embargo by the US but they used Islamic principles and managed to develop to where they are now. When the ARMM surpasses its neighboring regions in development there would be no need to resort to arms to recover moro ancestral domains (which, by the way, our grandparents sold to early christian settlers).

When Muslims in the ARMM have good quality of life and can practice Islam properly, the number of Muslims in the country would increase (not by birth but by conversion). We just need to build the foundation.