SULU – Philanthropist and Governor Sakur Tan praised broadcaster Raffy Tulfo for aiding 2 natives of Sulu province who complained against their employer in Pampanga province.
Showing posts with label Toto Tan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toto Tan. Show all posts
Saturday, November 7, 2020
Friday, March 13, 2020
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Sara visits Sulu, stays for 2 days
DAVAO CITY – Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Carpio recently visited the southern province of Sulu and met with political allies led by Governor Sakur Tan.
Saturday, April 13, 2019
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Saturday, April 6, 2019
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Sunday, March 31, 2019
HOT OFF THE PRESS: The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper April 1-7, 2019
HOT OFF THE PRESS: The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper April 1-7, 2019
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Saturday, March 16, 2019
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Saturday, February 9, 2019
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Saturday, February 2, 2019
Monday, January 21, 2019
Bangsamoro plebiscite 'peaceful' despite grenade attacks, harassment of voters
COTABATO CITY – Grenade attacks, harassment and intimidation marred Monday Bangsamoro plebiscite in the Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines.
A grenade exploded outside the house of a judge in Cotabato City in Maguindanao province, and another was lobbed, but did not go off on the roof.
Reports said the judge was allegedly a known critic of the Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL, but police said the attack which occurred ahead of the referendum may also be connected to his work.
And a third grenade in front of a polling precinct was also detonated by soldiers in Cotabato, whose mayor, Cynthia Sayadi, led residents in opposing the city’s inclusion to the proposed Bangsamoro region which would be run by the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF if the new organic law is ratified.
No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attacks, but authorities are holding a member of the MILF Mohalidin Usman after he was linked to the deadly New Year’s Eve bombing outside the South Seas Mall in Cotabato.
He was arrested inside the compound Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit in Cotabato City on January 18. The 25-year old man, according to authorities, is a member of the pro-ISIS group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which broke away with the MILF. Usman’s family denied all the accusations against the suspected bomber.
Several men, believed to be illegal or so-called “flying” voters, were also mauled outside a polling area in Cotabato after being caught by vigilant residents trying to cast their votes. At least 5 dozen teachers also did not report for election duty after receiving cell phone messages threatening them with harm should they go to work.
Murad Ebrahim, the MILF chieftain, cast his vote at the Simuay Junction Central Elementary School in Darapanan in Maguindanao’s Sultan Kudarat town, a stronghold of the rebel group. Supporters took turns in shaking his hands as they greeted him, who arrived with a group of bodyguards.
The 71-year old rebel leader said it was his first time to vote and that he was happy and enthusiastic. “As a revolutionary, we are prepared for whatever scenario, as long as the democratic processes is conducted in good manner, without intimidation, without cheating, we are determine to accept whatever is the result (of the plebiscite).”
“Now if when and if BOL will not be ratified, then we will continue to struggle until the (peace) agreement is implemented. It is the duty of the government to implement the agreement. We are only a partner, but the main responsibility is with the government, they have to implement the agreement,” Ebrahim said.
Cotabato City, along with Isabela City in Basilan province; and Sulu and North Cotabato provinces strongly opposed to be part of the new Bangsamoro region.
In Isabela City, a pregnant woman sought police help after a man grabbed her ballot and tore it to pieces inside a polling precinct. She said the man was angered by her rejection of the BOL. The still unidentified man escaped after the incident.
Referendum in Sulu’s 19 municipalities were peaceful, according to authorities, saying, there were no untoward incidents.
Sulu Governor Toto filed a petition with the Supreme Court questioning the legality and constitutionality of the organic law. And the Philippine Constitution Association or PHILCONSA filed also filed a separate petition with the Supreme Court to declare the organic law as unconstitutional, null and void.
Both petitions questioned the creation of a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region or BAR to replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.
Constitutional framers argued the 1987 Constitution only recognizes one autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao. The creation of a Bangsamoro political entity is contrary to the Constitution which created only provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays, and autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras, according to PHILCONSA.
“When R.A. 11054 abolished the ARMM and created the BARMM, a new and distinct territorial and political subdivision in lieu thereof, without first amending the Constitution, respondent’s legislative and executive departments violated and/or amended Sec. 1, Art. X of the Constitution, without jurisdiction or authority, with grave abuse of discretion tantamount to lack of and/or in excess of jurisdictions.”
“The legislative and the executive departments, creations of the Constitution, must observe and stand beside the Constitution and not act above, defy or supplant it,” PHILCONSA said.
Rey Sumalipao, election regional director, said the conduct of the plebiscite is peaceful. “The plebiscite is peaceful, it is really peaceful,” he said.
Salvador Panelo, the Presidential spokesman, said Duterte would respect whatever the result of the plebiscite will be. “The President would respect whatever decision the public makes during the plebiscite and comply with the sovereign voice of the people in Mindanao.”
“We are hopeful that the BOL, which would pave the way for a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, would be ratified. The President has already urged the voters to vote yes for peace and development in Mindanao,” he said.
The Commission on Elections said the total number of registered voters in the ARMM plebiscite is 1,980,441 and 71,124 in Isabela City, and 113,751 in Cotabato City. Another referendum is set on February 6 for Lanao del Sur with 352,494 registered voters and North Cotabato with 286,867 voters.
Plebiscite updates were not available on the website of the poll body. The website https://www.comelec.gov.ph/ cannot be accessed as of press time. It was unclear if it was hacked or not, but it showed a notice, saying, “Web server is down.”
The plebiscite is a result of the March 2014 interim peace deal between the MILF and Manila. The rebel group vowed to surrender a third of its huge weapons stockpiles if the organic law is ratified.
Rebel forces have tripled if not doubled due to its massive recruitment in the South taking advantage of the peace talks with the Filipino government at the time of then President Benigno Aquino and now President Rodrigo Duterte.
It now boasts of heavy armaments, including anti-aircraft machine guns, B40 anti-tank rockets, mortars and assorted high-powered rifles, and an army of civilian supporters, many of them counting on the prospects of better life with the new Bangsamoro region under the MILF rule.
For his part, Ebrahim said the decommissioning of weapons is part of the accord and vowed to implement it. “The decommissioning process is part of the agreement and as part of agreement, we are bound to implement our side. And we assure the people and the government that once the process will be implemented as a condition for the decommissioning then we will immediately undergo decommissioning (process). Our fighters are already well aware of this and they have expressed their full support for the decommissioning process,” he said.
Ebrahim’s group originally was part of the Moro National Liberation Front under Nur Misuari, but broke away in the late 1970s, and fought the democratic government for the establishment of a separate Muslim homeland.
Misuari eventually signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996 and after the accord agreement was signed, he became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.
Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.
In 2001, Misuari’s loyal forces and former rebels who joined the Philippine Army following the September 1996 peace accord, attacked a key military base in Jolo town and civilian targets in Zamboanga City in an effort to stop the government from calling an election in the ARMM.
Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines and was eventually pardoned and released by then President Gloria Arroyo in exchange for MNLF support to her election bid as well as her allies in the Senate and Congress in 2004. He also ran thrice for governor in Sulu even while under detention, but lost miserably.
Now, when Duterte became president, he ordered police and military not to arrest Misuari – his friend and political ally – saying he would talk peace with the MNLF, and even invited the former Libyan firebrand in the Presidential Palace to talk about peace. (Mindanao Examiner)
A grenade exploded outside the house of a judge in Cotabato City in Maguindanao province, and another was lobbed, but did not go off on the roof.
Reports said the judge was allegedly a known critic of the Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL, but police said the attack which occurred ahead of the referendum may also be connected to his work.
And a third grenade in front of a polling precinct was also detonated by soldiers in Cotabato, whose mayor, Cynthia Sayadi, led residents in opposing the city’s inclusion to the proposed Bangsamoro region which would be run by the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF if the new organic law is ratified.
No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attacks, but authorities are holding a member of the MILF Mohalidin Usman after he was linked to the deadly New Year’s Eve bombing outside the South Seas Mall in Cotabato.
He was arrested inside the compound Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit in Cotabato City on January 18. The 25-year old man, according to authorities, is a member of the pro-ISIS group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which broke away with the MILF. Usman’s family denied all the accusations against the suspected bomber.
Several men, believed to be illegal or so-called “flying” voters, were also mauled outside a polling area in Cotabato after being caught by vigilant residents trying to cast their votes. At least 5 dozen teachers also did not report for election duty after receiving cell phone messages threatening them with harm should they go to work.
Murad Ebrahim
The 71-year old rebel leader said it was his first time to vote and that he was happy and enthusiastic. “As a revolutionary, we are prepared for whatever scenario, as long as the democratic processes is conducted in good manner, without intimidation, without cheating, we are determine to accept whatever is the result (of the plebiscite).”
“Now if when and if BOL will not be ratified, then we will continue to struggle until the (peace) agreement is implemented. It is the duty of the government to implement the agreement. We are only a partner, but the main responsibility is with the government, they have to implement the agreement,” Ebrahim said.
NO TO BOL
In Isabela City, a pregnant woman sought police help after a man grabbed her ballot and tore it to pieces inside a polling precinct. She said the man was angered by her rejection of the BOL. The still unidentified man escaped after the incident.
Referendum in Sulu’s 19 municipalities were peaceful, according to authorities, saying, there were no untoward incidents.
Sulu Governor Toto filed a petition with the Supreme Court questioning the legality and constitutionality of the organic law. And the Philippine Constitution Association or PHILCONSA filed also filed a separate petition with the Supreme Court to declare the organic law as unconstitutional, null and void.
Both petitions questioned the creation of a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region or BAR to replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.
Constitutional framers argued the 1987 Constitution only recognizes one autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao. The creation of a Bangsamoro political entity is contrary to the Constitution which created only provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays, and autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras, according to PHILCONSA.
“When R.A. 11054 abolished the ARMM and created the BARMM, a new and distinct territorial and political subdivision in lieu thereof, without first amending the Constitution, respondent’s legislative and executive departments violated and/or amended Sec. 1, Art. X of the Constitution, without jurisdiction or authority, with grave abuse of discretion tantamount to lack of and/or in excess of jurisdictions.”
“The legislative and the executive departments, creations of the Constitution, must observe and stand beside the Constitution and not act above, defy or supplant it,” PHILCONSA said.
Peaceful, Respect Outcome
Salvador Panelo, the Presidential spokesman, said Duterte would respect whatever the result of the plebiscite will be. “The President would respect whatever decision the public makes during the plebiscite and comply with the sovereign voice of the people in Mindanao.”
“We are hopeful that the BOL, which would pave the way for a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, would be ratified. The President has already urged the voters to vote yes for peace and development in Mindanao,” he said.
The Commission on Elections said the total number of registered voters in the ARMM plebiscite is 1,980,441 and 71,124 in Isabela City, and 113,751 in Cotabato City. Another referendum is set on February 6 for Lanao del Sur with 352,494 registered voters and North Cotabato with 286,867 voters.
Plebiscite updates were not available on the website of the poll body. The website https://www.comelec.gov.ph/ cannot be accessed as of press time. It was unclear if it was hacked or not, but it showed a notice, saying, “Web server is down.”
MILF
Rebel forces have tripled if not doubled due to its massive recruitment in the South taking advantage of the peace talks with the Filipino government at the time of then President Benigno Aquino and now President Rodrigo Duterte.
It now boasts of heavy armaments, including anti-aircraft machine guns, B40 anti-tank rockets, mortars and assorted high-powered rifles, and an army of civilian supporters, many of them counting on the prospects of better life with the new Bangsamoro region under the MILF rule.
For his part, Ebrahim said the decommissioning of weapons is part of the accord and vowed to implement it. “The decommissioning process is part of the agreement and as part of agreement, we are bound to implement our side. And we assure the people and the government that once the process will be implemented as a condition for the decommissioning then we will immediately undergo decommissioning (process). Our fighters are already well aware of this and they have expressed their full support for the decommissioning process,” he said.
MNLF
Misuari eventually signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996 and after the accord agreement was signed, he became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.
Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.
In 2001, Misuari’s loyal forces and former rebels who joined the Philippine Army following the September 1996 peace accord, attacked a key military base in Jolo town and civilian targets in Zamboanga City in an effort to stop the government from calling an election in the ARMM.
Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines and was eventually pardoned and released by then President Gloria Arroyo in exchange for MNLF support to her election bid as well as her allies in the Senate and Congress in 2004. He also ran thrice for governor in Sulu even while under detention, but lost miserably.
Now, when Duterte became president, he ordered police and military not to arrest Misuari – his friend and political ally – saying he would talk peace with the MNLF, and even invited the former Libyan firebrand in the Presidential Palace to talk about peace. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Saturday, January 19, 2019
Anti-BOL, Pro-MILF to vote in Bangsamoro plebiscite
COTABATO CITY – With the Bangsamoro plebiscite set on Monday, Muslims in Sulu province and Isabela City in Basilan, and Cotabato City in Maguindanao, vowed to reject the organic law which the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF is strongly pushing.
The MILF, which signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014, is expected to rule the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region should Muslims voted in favor of the Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL (Republic Act 11054) which shall replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM.
Anti-BOL advocates in Isabela City in Basilan province. (Photos courtesy of Akbar Mutamad Jann)
ARMM is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur provinces. A second referendum has been set on February 6 with several towns in North Cotabato with some 286,867 voters and 352,494 voters in Lanao del Norte, are included in the proposed Bangsamoro region. For January 21 plebiscite , the total voters in ARMM is 1,980,441 and 71,124 in Isabela City and 113,751 in Cotabato City, according to the Commission on Elections.
Majority of Sulu’s over 830,000 Tausug population led by their political leaders Governor Toto Tan and his father, Dr. Sakur Tan wanted out of the autonomous region and wanted to be part again of Zamboanga Peninsula or Region 9.
Sulu along with Basilan and Tawi-Tawi were all originally part of Region 9 following the signing of the 1986 peace agreement between the Moro National Liberation Front under Nur Misuari and the Ramos administration. After the accord, a referendum was held following the 1989 signing by President Corazon Aquino of the Republic Act 6734, and amended in 2001 which paved the way for another plebiscite which included Basilan and Marawi City.
Misuari is also opposed to the BOL and the government’s peace talks with the MILF even in the beginning because he wanted to perpetually be the governor of the ARMM.
After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.
Under the peace deal, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.
In 2001, Misuari’s loyal forces and former rebels who joined the Philippine Army following the September 1996 peace accord, attacked a key military base in Jolo town and civilian targets in Zamboanga City in an effort to stop the government from calling an election in the ARMM.
Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines and was eventually pardoned and released by then President Gloria Arroyo in exchange for MNLF support to her election bid as well as her allies in the Senate and Congress in 2004. He also ran thrice for governor in Sulu even while under detention, but lost miserably.
Now, when Duterte became president, he ordered police and military not to arrest Misuari - his political ally – saying he would talk peace with the MNLF, and even invited the former Libyan firebrand in the Presidential Palace to talk on the podium about peace.
Last year, the governor of Sulu filed a petition with the Supreme Court questioning the legality and constitutionality of the BOL. The Philippine Constitution Association has also asked the High Court to reject the BOL, saying the law violates the 1987 Constitution that mandated only one organic act for Muslim Mindanao.
An oral argument on the controversial law has been scheduled next month, according to reports. The Tan patriarch has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to make good on his threat to establish a “revolutionary government,” so he could quickly reconfigure the country’s regions and shift to a federal form of government.
“Only through federalism you can configure the territories that will constitute the federal states and not cluster only the laggards together like the five provinces in the ARMM. Now they say that (BOL) it is also federalism na i-isang region ang gagawin sa BOL, but it is not, it is an isolation, because it will only be constituted by five provinces that are laggards, so it is only through federalism that you can mix the laggards with the affluent, otherwise, these laggards will never progress.”
“Kaya para mas mapadali ang federalism, dapat mag-declare na tayo ng revolutionary government to make things easier. So anong nangyari, sandali lang ay nagawa na yun Constitution natin. So the President can now appoint members of the commission that will draft the new Constitution and then come up with the new government and then come up with the form of government that we will have. Instead of a unitary form of government then we can have a parliamentary-federal system of government,” the elder Tan said, adding, “It is far better than creating a monster like the BOL.”
Duterte has repeatedly vowed to push for a change in form of government – from presidential system to federal – and even threatened to make Mindanao a federal region if lawmakers fail to amend the Constitution to pave the way for new federal government.
He said the current unitary system has spelled so much trouble. When he was mayor in Davao City in southern Philippines, Duterte had been strongly campaigning for the establishment of a federal form of government and in many of his public appearances and speeches the President said federalism is the next best thing for the country.
Duterte also vowed to step down – even before his term ends on 2022 – as soon as the new federal government is fully functional. “Do not be afraid of a dictatorship because I will not be the one,” Duterte said.
He also cited the precedent set by Corazon Aquino, who established a revolutionary government soon after leading an uprising in 1986 that ended the Marcos dictatorship. Aquino sacked all elected officials, abolished Congress and tore up the 1973 Constitution in favor of a provisional charter. She handpicked a commission to write a new Constitution, which was ratified by plebiscite in 1987.
But Duterte’s rhetoric statement is also a double-edged sword. While he campaigns hard for the establishment of a federal government, Duterte is also urging Muslims to ratify the BOL. And the MILF insists that BOL should come first before any change in the form of government even while its leaders headed by Murad Ebrahim and their army of mujahedeen do not recognize the Philippine Constitution and had no experience in public governance.
During his visit to Cotabato City on January 18, Duterte told thousands of pro-MILF supporters: “Your approval of this law will not only serve as an expression of your desire to end more than half a century of armed struggle in the region. It will also serve testament of your determination to bring genuine peace and development in Muslim Mindanao to an autonomous government that truly represents and understands the needs of the people. Mga mahal kong Moro brothers and sisters, Magboto kayo ng Yes.”
ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, a strong advocate of BOL, also urged his constituents to support the BOL and participate in the plebiscite because it is the answer to the aspirations of the Bangsamoro.
“Ang yes (vote) sa BOL ay yes sa ating mga pangarap. Kung may BOL, mas malaya ang pamahalaang Bangsamoro na magdesisyon para sa sarili. Bukod pa rito, ang BOL ang pinaka-sagisag ng tagumpay ng prosesong pangkapayapaan. Kung mara-ratify ito, magiging malinaw ang mensahe sa lahat, tapos na ang gulo. Kung may BOL, mas malaya ang pamahalaang Bangsamoro na mag-desisyon para sa sarili. Mababawasan na ang paulit-ulit at mahabang pasahan ng pakiusap at pagmamakaawa sa pagitan natin at ng Maynila. Mas mapapabilis ang pagbaba ng serbisyo ng gobyerno,” he said.
“Ang BOL ang pinaka-sagisag ng tagumpay ng prosesong pangkapayapaan. Kung mararatify ito, magiging malinaw ang mensahe sa lahat - tapos na ang gulo. Bagama’t kailangan pa rin bantayan at kailangan pa ring ingatan, masasabi nating narito na ang kapayapaan,” he added.
In Cotabato, Mayor Cynthia Sayadi, who is fighting the city’s inclusion to the proposed Bangsamoro region, said she received many reports that pro-BOL campaigners were harassing residents into voting for the ratification of the organic law.
“I received harassment complaints from my people by Bangsamoro plebiscite campaigners. Number one is the abuses, abuses from the people who wanted the BOL to win in the city…all of those who are supporting the inclusion of (Cotabato to Bangsamoro autonomous region), the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” the mayor said.
“The city will reject BOL and that is based on the consultations with the people, consultations with the different sectors and not just my voice, it is the voice of everyone that I consulted,” she added.
Cotabato is where the seat of the ARMM government is located even though the city is not part of the Muslim autonomous region. And there were reports that Ebrahim and other rebel leaders - who took advantage of the peace process - have allegedly invested heavily in various businesses in Cotabato and that is why they wanted the city to be part of the expanded autonomous region.
The same sentiments are also felt among residents in Isabela where Vice Mayor Cherryln Akbar is also leading in the campaign against the city’s inclusion to the Bangsamoro autonomous region. She said the BOL will only benefit the MILF and its interest in the region.
“Look at actor Robin Padilla who came here to campaign for the BOL. Why, is Robin Padilla from Isabela City, does he know the predicaments of the people here?” she said during a speech at a huge rally January 18 attended by thousands of people.
She also took a swipe on lawmakers who approved the BOL and now insisting us to be a part of the new autonomous region. “If our children are sick, if we do not have rice on the table, did any of them congressman come here to help us?” the mayor added.
All the ARMM governors, except Tan, are all campaigning for BOL – Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindanao; Jim Saliman of Basilan; Soraya Adiong of Lanao del Sur; Rashidin Matba of Tawi-Tawi and the four politicians were all strong supporters of President Benigno Aquino and defeated presidential candidate Mar Roxas. (Mindanao Examiner)
The MILF, which signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014, is expected to rule the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region should Muslims voted in favor of the Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL (Republic Act 11054) which shall replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM.
Anti-BOL advocates in Isabela City in Basilan province. (Photos courtesy of Akbar Mutamad Jann)ARMM is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur provinces. A second referendum has been set on February 6 with several towns in North Cotabato with some 286,867 voters and 352,494 voters in Lanao del Norte, are included in the proposed Bangsamoro region. For January 21 plebiscite , the total voters in ARMM is 1,980,441 and 71,124 in Isabela City and 113,751 in Cotabato City, according to the Commission on Elections.
Majority of Sulu’s over 830,000 Tausug population led by their political leaders Governor Toto Tan and his father, Dr. Sakur Tan wanted out of the autonomous region and wanted to be part again of Zamboanga Peninsula or Region 9.
Sulu along with Basilan and Tawi-Tawi were all originally part of Region 9 following the signing of the 1986 peace agreement between the Moro National Liberation Front under Nur Misuari and the Ramos administration. After the accord, a referendum was held following the 1989 signing by President Corazon Aquino of the Republic Act 6734, and amended in 2001 which paved the way for another plebiscite which included Basilan and Marawi City.
Nur Misuari and MNLF
After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.
Under the peace deal, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.
In 2001, Misuari’s loyal forces and former rebels who joined the Philippine Army following the September 1996 peace accord, attacked a key military base in Jolo town and civilian targets in Zamboanga City in an effort to stop the government from calling an election in the ARMM.
Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines and was eventually pardoned and released by then President Gloria Arroyo in exchange for MNLF support to her election bid as well as her allies in the Senate and Congress in 2004. He also ran thrice for governor in Sulu even while under detention, but lost miserably.
Now, when Duterte became president, he ordered police and military not to arrest Misuari - his political ally – saying he would talk peace with the MNLF, and even invited the former Libyan firebrand in the Presidential Palace to talk on the podium about peace.
Revolutionary Government
An oral argument on the controversial law has been scheduled next month, according to reports. The Tan patriarch has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to make good on his threat to establish a “revolutionary government,” so he could quickly reconfigure the country’s regions and shift to a federal form of government.
“Only through federalism you can configure the territories that will constitute the federal states and not cluster only the laggards together like the five provinces in the ARMM. Now they say that (BOL) it is also federalism na i-isang region ang gagawin sa BOL, but it is not, it is an isolation, because it will only be constituted by five provinces that are laggards, so it is only through federalism that you can mix the laggards with the affluent, otherwise, these laggards will never progress.”
“Kaya para mas mapadali ang federalism, dapat mag-declare na tayo ng revolutionary government to make things easier. So anong nangyari, sandali lang ay nagawa na yun Constitution natin. So the President can now appoint members of the commission that will draft the new Constitution and then come up with the new government and then come up with the form of government that we will have. Instead of a unitary form of government then we can have a parliamentary-federal system of government,” the elder Tan said, adding, “It is far better than creating a monster like the BOL.”
Federal Government
He said the current unitary system has spelled so much trouble. When he was mayor in Davao City in southern Philippines, Duterte had been strongly campaigning for the establishment of a federal form of government and in many of his public appearances and speeches the President said federalism is the next best thing for the country.
Duterte also vowed to step down – even before his term ends on 2022 – as soon as the new federal government is fully functional. “Do not be afraid of a dictatorship because I will not be the one,” Duterte said.
He also cited the precedent set by Corazon Aquino, who established a revolutionary government soon after leading an uprising in 1986 that ended the Marcos dictatorship. Aquino sacked all elected officials, abolished Congress and tore up the 1973 Constitution in favor of a provisional charter. She handpicked a commission to write a new Constitution, which was ratified by plebiscite in 1987.
Double-edged Sword
During his visit to Cotabato City on January 18, Duterte told thousands of pro-MILF supporters: “Your approval of this law will not only serve as an expression of your desire to end more than half a century of armed struggle in the region. It will also serve testament of your determination to bring genuine peace and development in Muslim Mindanao to an autonomous government that truly represents and understands the needs of the people. Mga mahal kong Moro brothers and sisters, Magboto kayo ng Yes.”
ARMM
“Ang yes (vote) sa BOL ay yes sa ating mga pangarap. Kung may BOL, mas malaya ang pamahalaang Bangsamoro na magdesisyon para sa sarili. Bukod pa rito, ang BOL ang pinaka-sagisag ng tagumpay ng prosesong pangkapayapaan. Kung mara-ratify ito, magiging malinaw ang mensahe sa lahat, tapos na ang gulo. Kung may BOL, mas malaya ang pamahalaang Bangsamoro na mag-desisyon para sa sarili. Mababawasan na ang paulit-ulit at mahabang pasahan ng pakiusap at pagmamakaawa sa pagitan natin at ng Maynila. Mas mapapabilis ang pagbaba ng serbisyo ng gobyerno,” he said.
“Ang BOL ang pinaka-sagisag ng tagumpay ng prosesong pangkapayapaan. Kung mararatify ito, magiging malinaw ang mensahe sa lahat - tapos na ang gulo. Bagama’t kailangan pa rin bantayan at kailangan pa ring ingatan, masasabi nating narito na ang kapayapaan,” he added.
Cotabato City
“I received harassment complaints from my people by Bangsamoro plebiscite campaigners. Number one is the abuses, abuses from the people who wanted the BOL to win in the city…all of those who are supporting the inclusion of (Cotabato to Bangsamoro autonomous region), the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” the mayor said.
“The city will reject BOL and that is based on the consultations with the people, consultations with the different sectors and not just my voice, it is the voice of everyone that I consulted,” she added.
Cotabato is where the seat of the ARMM government is located even though the city is not part of the Muslim autonomous region. And there were reports that Ebrahim and other rebel leaders - who took advantage of the peace process - have allegedly invested heavily in various businesses in Cotabato and that is why they wanted the city to be part of the expanded autonomous region.
Isabela City
“Look at actor Robin Padilla who came here to campaign for the BOL. Why, is Robin Padilla from Isabela City, does he know the predicaments of the people here?” she said during a speech at a huge rally January 18 attended by thousands of people.
She also took a swipe on lawmakers who approved the BOL and now insisting us to be a part of the new autonomous region. “If our children are sick, if we do not have rice on the table, did any of them congressman come here to help us?” the mayor added.
All the ARMM governors, except Tan, are all campaigning for BOL – Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindanao; Jim Saliman of Basilan; Soraya Adiong of Lanao del Sur; Rashidin Matba of Tawi-Tawi and the four politicians were all strong supporters of President Benigno Aquino and defeated presidential candidate Mar Roxas. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Declare ‘revolutionary government, Duterte ally urges President
SULU – An influential Muslim politician has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to establish a “revolutionary government” which the Filipino leader had previously threaten to declare if communist rebels and other opponents tried to destabilise his rule.
A strong ally of Duterte, Dr. Sakur Tan - a philanthropist who is running for governor in Sulu in the May midterm elections – called on the President to declare the revolutionary government and eventually establish a federal form of government.
Tan’s statement came ahead of the ratification of the controversial Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on January 21 and February 6 in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). And if BOL is approved, it shall replace ARMM with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and ruled by the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front which signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014.
Sulu Gov. Toto Tan filed a petition with the Supreme Court last year questioning the legality and constitutionality of the BOL. Constitutional framers also asked the High Court to reject the BOL, saying, the law violates the Charter.
“Only through federalism you can configure the territories that will constitute the federal states and not cluster only the laggards together like the five provinces in the ARMM. Now they say that (BOL) it is also federalism na i-isang region ang gagawin sa BOL, but it is not, it is an isolation, because it will only be constituted by five provinces that are laggards, so it is only through federalism that you can mix the laggards with the affluent, otherwise, these laggards will never progress.”
“Kaya para mas mapadali ang federalism, dapat mag-declare na tayo ng revolutionary government to make things easier. So anong nangyari, sandali lang ay nagawa na yun Constitution natin. So the President can now appoint members of the commission that will draft the new Constitution and then come up with the new government and then come up with the form of government that we will have. Instead of a unitary form of government then we can have a parliamentary-federal system of government,” Tan said, adding, “It is far better than creating a monster like the BOL.”
Duterte has repeatedly vowed to push for a change in form of government – from presidential system to federal – and even threatened to make Mindanao a federal region if lawmakers fail to amend the Constitution to pave the way for new federal government.
He said the current unitary system has spelled so much trouble. When he was mayor in Davao City in southern Philippines, Duterte had been strongly campaigning for the establishment of a federal form of government and in many of his public appearances and speeches the President said federalism is the next best thing for the country.
Duterte also vowed to step down – even before his term ends on 2022 – as soon as the new federal government is fully functional. “Do not be afraid of a dictatorship because I will not be the one,” Duterte said.
He also cited the precedent set by Corazon Aquino, who established a revolutionary government soon after leading an uprising in 1986 that ended the Marcos dictatorship. Aquino sacked all elected officials, abolished Congress and tore up the 1973 Constitution in favor of a provisional charter. She handpicked a commission to write a new Constitution, which was ratified by plebiscite in 1987.
Tan said majority of the municipal mayors in Sulu are also supporting the establishment of a federal government, including the 5 influential sultans - Sultans Ibrahim Bahjin, Muizuddin Jainal Bahjin, Muedzul-Lail Kiram, Mohammad Venizar Julkarnain Jainal Abirin and Phugdalun Kiram.
“More than half of the mayors or 15 out of the 19 municipalities overwhelmingly (approved this) and joined me in this clamor for federalism and if need be, call for (the establishment of) a revolutionary government. The legitimate Sultans of Sulu will also join us and I am very sure of that. As their Spokesman and Special Envoy, I speak for the Royal Council of the Sultanate of Sulu comprising the five Sultans of Sulu,” he said.
Tan said even before Duterte became president, he is already pushing for the establishment of a federal form of government and even went around the country campaigning for it. “Everybody knows about that. In fact I read a magazine shown to me by a professor of President Duterte, lawyer Sixto Brillantes, which quoted President Duterte that if he wins the presidency, he will declare a revolutionary government.”
“So President Duterte is just being true to his words and he means what he said. If you want a federal system, you must declare a revolutionary government now. Federal system through revolutionary government and if we have to declare it, the sooner the better,” Tan said.
He said the lawyers of the nongovernmental organization called Volunteers against Crime and Corruptionwhich is headed by Dante Jimenez will also file their petition (similar with Gov. Tan’s petition) in the Supreme Court and intervene.
Tan also took a swipe on the group of MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim who went to Sulu recently to campaign for the ratification of the BOL. “For us, we held a series of fora where we tried to make the people participate and understand what BOL and federalism is all about. You do not just come and make people participate without making them understand. That is the problem of people who just come to our area and tell our people this is it and this is that, without making them understand. They think that people here are stupid, and they don’t know that our people also think they are stupid,” he said.
On Monday, some 10,000 Muslims here rallied behind the proposed establishment of a federal government. The Tans and members of the pro-Duterte group called Kilusang Pagbabago led by Ariel Urao, and municipal mayors also participated in the rally where speakers discussed about the proposed government.
Wedzmar Abdurajak, an executive assistant of presidential daughter and Davao Mayor Sara Duterte, was also here and spoke during the rally. He thanked the organizers and huge crowd for their support on the proposed federal government. (Mindanao Examiner)
A strong ally of Duterte, Dr. Sakur Tan - a philanthropist who is running for governor in Sulu in the May midterm elections – called on the President to declare the revolutionary government and eventually establish a federal form of government.
Tan’s statement came ahead of the ratification of the controversial Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on January 21 and February 6 in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). And if BOL is approved, it shall replace ARMM with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and ruled by the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front which signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014.
Sulu Gov. Toto Tan filed a petition with the Supreme Court last year questioning the legality and constitutionality of the BOL. Constitutional framers also asked the High Court to reject the BOL, saying, the law violates the Charter.
“Only through federalism you can configure the territories that will constitute the federal states and not cluster only the laggards together like the five provinces in the ARMM. Now they say that (BOL) it is also federalism na i-isang region ang gagawin sa BOL, but it is not, it is an isolation, because it will only be constituted by five provinces that are laggards, so it is only through federalism that you can mix the laggards with the affluent, otherwise, these laggards will never progress.”
“Kaya para mas mapadali ang federalism, dapat mag-declare na tayo ng revolutionary government to make things easier. So anong nangyari, sandali lang ay nagawa na yun Constitution natin. So the President can now appoint members of the commission that will draft the new Constitution and then come up with the new government and then come up with the form of government that we will have. Instead of a unitary form of government then we can have a parliamentary-federal system of government,” Tan said, adding, “It is far better than creating a monster like the BOL.”
Duterte has repeatedly vowed to push for a change in form of government – from presidential system to federal – and even threatened to make Mindanao a federal region if lawmakers fail to amend the Constitution to pave the way for new federal government.
He said the current unitary system has spelled so much trouble. When he was mayor in Davao City in southern Philippines, Duterte had been strongly campaigning for the establishment of a federal form of government and in many of his public appearances and speeches the President said federalism is the next best thing for the country.
Duterte also vowed to step down – even before his term ends on 2022 – as soon as the new federal government is fully functional. “Do not be afraid of a dictatorship because I will not be the one,” Duterte said.
He also cited the precedent set by Corazon Aquino, who established a revolutionary government soon after leading an uprising in 1986 that ended the Marcos dictatorship. Aquino sacked all elected officials, abolished Congress and tore up the 1973 Constitution in favor of a provisional charter. She handpicked a commission to write a new Constitution, which was ratified by plebiscite in 1987.
Tan said majority of the municipal mayors in Sulu are also supporting the establishment of a federal government, including the 5 influential sultans - Sultans Ibrahim Bahjin, Muizuddin Jainal Bahjin, Muedzul-Lail Kiram, Mohammad Venizar Julkarnain Jainal Abirin and Phugdalun Kiram.
“More than half of the mayors or 15 out of the 19 municipalities overwhelmingly (approved this) and joined me in this clamor for federalism and if need be, call for (the establishment of) a revolutionary government. The legitimate Sultans of Sulu will also join us and I am very sure of that. As their Spokesman and Special Envoy, I speak for the Royal Council of the Sultanate of Sulu comprising the five Sultans of Sulu,” he said.
Tan said even before Duterte became president, he is already pushing for the establishment of a federal form of government and even went around the country campaigning for it. “Everybody knows about that. In fact I read a magazine shown to me by a professor of President Duterte, lawyer Sixto Brillantes, which quoted President Duterte that if he wins the presidency, he will declare a revolutionary government.”
“So President Duterte is just being true to his words and he means what he said. If you want a federal system, you must declare a revolutionary government now. Federal system through revolutionary government and if we have to declare it, the sooner the better,” Tan said.
He said the lawyers of the nongovernmental organization called Volunteers against Crime and Corruptionwhich is headed by Dante Jimenez will also file their petition (similar with Gov. Tan’s petition) in the Supreme Court and intervene.
Tan also took a swipe on the group of MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim who went to Sulu recently to campaign for the ratification of the BOL. “For us, we held a series of fora where we tried to make the people participate and understand what BOL and federalism is all about. You do not just come and make people participate without making them understand. That is the problem of people who just come to our area and tell our people this is it and this is that, without making them understand. They think that people here are stupid, and they don’t know that our people also think they are stupid,” he said.
On Monday, some 10,000 Muslims here rallied behind the proposed establishment of a federal government. The Tans and members of the pro-Duterte group called Kilusang Pagbabago led by Ariel Urao, and municipal mayors also participated in the rally where speakers discussed about the proposed government.
Wedzmar Abdurajak, an executive assistant of presidential daughter and Davao Mayor Sara Duterte, was also here and spoke during the rally. He thanked the organizers and huge crowd for their support on the proposed federal government. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Sunday, January 6, 2019
HOT OFF THE PRESS: The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper Jan. 7-13, 2019
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Mindanao, bantay-sarado kontra terorismo
COTABATO CITY - Nasa mahigpit na pagbabantay ngayon ng militar at pulisya ang buong Mindanao matapos ng madugong pambobomba kamakailan lamang sa Cotabato City na ikinamatay ng 2 katao at pagkasugat ng 47 iba pa.
Habang papalapit ang referendum para sa Bangsamoro Organic Law na siyang isinisulong ng rebeldeng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ay lalong tumataas ang tensyon sa Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) dahil sa mga lugar na ayaw mapasama sa proposed Bangsamoro autonomous region.
Kabilang ang Cotabato City, Isabela City at Sulu sa mga pumapalag kontra sa Bangsamoro autonomous region na sinasabing pamumunuan ng MILF na halos mga tribong Maguindanaoan. Bantay-sarado ang buong Cotabato, Isabela at Sulu ngayon, maging ang Zamboanga City ay nasa mahigpit na siguridad matapos itong i-utos ni Mayor Beng Climaco dahil sa pambobomba nitong New Year’s Eve sa labas ng South Seas Mall sa Cotabato.
Agad naman isinisi ng militar sa Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters at Dawlah Islamiya na pawang mga pro-ISIS groups ang nasabing atake. Hindi naman mabatid kung bakit pumalya ang militar at pulisya na mapigilan ang atake gayun nasa extended martial law ang buong Mindanao dahil sa banta ng terorismo.
Ngunit sinisipat rin kung may kinalaman dito ang mga hard core members ng MILF dahil sa pagmamatigas ni Cotabato Mayor Frances Cynthia Sayadi na mapasama ang lungsod sa Bangsamoro autonomous region kung magwawagi ito sa referendum nitong buwan at sa Pebrero.
Kalat na rin diumano sa Cotabato ang mga negosyo diumano ni MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim at iba pang mga lider ng rebeldeng grupo na lumagda ng interim peace accord sa pamahalaan noong 2014 kung kaya’t ganoon na lamang ang nais ng mga ito na mapasama sa panukalang rehiyon ang lungsod. Sinabi naman ni Murad na ang atake ay posibleng nakatuon sa paninira sa BOL.
Ang pambobomba ay kinondena ni ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman at tinawag nitong “terrorist act” ang atake.
“We are irrevocably grieved about the casualties incurred, thoroughly condemn this act, and call for a thorough investigation. We need to make sure acts like these never happen again, and that the perpetrator is brought to justice.” “We urge investigators and all civilians to not be caught up in the chaos surrounding this terrorist act. We cannot afford to be divisive at this moment. Only by melding together can we bring about peace and justice,” ani Hataman.
Maging si Sayadi ay tinawag itong “terrorism and evil”. “We will stand up against terrorism. We will fight against evil,” wika ni Sayadi. “This is not just another terroristic act, but an act against humanity. I cannot fathom how such evil exists in this time of merry making of our fellow Cotabatenios. It is unimaginable how some people can start the New Year with an act of cruelty but no matter how you threaten us, the people of Cotabato City are resilient and we are stronger than how you think we are,” dagdag pa nito. Wala pa rin umako sa atake.
Noong Agosto 2013 ay isang car bomb rin ang pinasabog sa kahabaan ng Sinsuat Avenue sa Cotabato City na ikinamatay ng 8 katao at pagkasugat ng mahigit s 40 iba pa. (Mindanao Examiner.)
Habang papalapit ang referendum para sa Bangsamoro Organic Law na siyang isinisulong ng rebeldeng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ay lalong tumataas ang tensyon sa Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) dahil sa mga lugar na ayaw mapasama sa proposed Bangsamoro autonomous region.
Kabilang ang Cotabato City, Isabela City at Sulu sa mga pumapalag kontra sa Bangsamoro autonomous region na sinasabing pamumunuan ng MILF na halos mga tribong Maguindanaoan. Bantay-sarado ang buong Cotabato, Isabela at Sulu ngayon, maging ang Zamboanga City ay nasa mahigpit na siguridad matapos itong i-utos ni Mayor Beng Climaco dahil sa pambobomba nitong New Year’s Eve sa labas ng South Seas Mall sa Cotabato.
Agad naman isinisi ng militar sa Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters at Dawlah Islamiya na pawang mga pro-ISIS groups ang nasabing atake. Hindi naman mabatid kung bakit pumalya ang militar at pulisya na mapigilan ang atake gayun nasa extended martial law ang buong Mindanao dahil sa banta ng terorismo.
Ngunit sinisipat rin kung may kinalaman dito ang mga hard core members ng MILF dahil sa pagmamatigas ni Cotabato Mayor Frances Cynthia Sayadi na mapasama ang lungsod sa Bangsamoro autonomous region kung magwawagi ito sa referendum nitong buwan at sa Pebrero.
Kalat na rin diumano sa Cotabato ang mga negosyo diumano ni MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim at iba pang mga lider ng rebeldeng grupo na lumagda ng interim peace accord sa pamahalaan noong 2014 kung kaya’t ganoon na lamang ang nais ng mga ito na mapasama sa panukalang rehiyon ang lungsod. Sinabi naman ni Murad na ang atake ay posibleng nakatuon sa paninira sa BOL.
Ang pambobomba ay kinondena ni ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman at tinawag nitong “terrorist act” ang atake.
“We are irrevocably grieved about the casualties incurred, thoroughly condemn this act, and call for a thorough investigation. We need to make sure acts like these never happen again, and that the perpetrator is brought to justice.” “We urge investigators and all civilians to not be caught up in the chaos surrounding this terrorist act. We cannot afford to be divisive at this moment. Only by melding together can we bring about peace and justice,” ani Hataman.
Maging si Sayadi ay tinawag itong “terrorism and evil”. “We will stand up against terrorism. We will fight against evil,” wika ni Sayadi. “This is not just another terroristic act, but an act against humanity. I cannot fathom how such evil exists in this time of merry making of our fellow Cotabatenios. It is unimaginable how some people can start the New Year with an act of cruelty but no matter how you threaten us, the people of Cotabato City are resilient and we are stronger than how you think we are,” dagdag pa nito. Wala pa rin umako sa atake.
Noong Agosto 2013 ay isang car bomb rin ang pinasabog sa kahabaan ng Sinsuat Avenue sa Cotabato City na ikinamatay ng 8 katao at pagkasugat ng mahigit s 40 iba pa. (Mindanao Examiner.)
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Saturday, December 15, 2018
HOT OFF THE PRESS: The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper Dec. 17-23, 2018
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Thursday, December 13, 2018
Malaysia foils terror attacks, arrests 2 Sayyaf militants
MALAYSIAN AUTHORITIES have foiled terror attacks and arrested 2 Abu Sayyaf and five Malaysian militants linked to ISIS, in a series of anti-terror operations in the rich eastern state of Sabah near the Philippine border of Tawi-Tawi.
The capture of the suspects prevented potential terrorist attacks, particularly in non-Muslim sites of worship in Malaysia, on orders from ISIS.
The operations, carried over several days last month, revealed the terror plot and the connection of those captured to ISIS in Syria and Jamaa Ansharut Daulah, its largest affiliate in Indonesia. The arrest of the suspects foiled terror attacks in Malaysia, according to a report by Channel News Asia, which quoted Sabah police.
Police Inspector Fuzi Harun said the Abu Sayyaf members – whose identities were not made public – said one of them was involved in at least three serial kidnappings in southern Philippines and Sabah.
“The suspect is a member of the Abu Sayyaf group who was involved in at least three serial kidnappings in southern Philippines and Sabah. He is occupied as an individual who is requested by the Eastern Sabah Security Command to assist in criminal investigation in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone,” Fuzi said.
One of the Filipinos, 48, was arrested along with his 40-year old Malaysian wife, in Tenom, Sabah. They were also accused of hiding information about the presence of Abu Sayyaf in Sabah.
No other details on the Filipinos were made available by Malaysia or the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila.
Despite the anti-terror campaign in Sabah, suspected Abu Sayyaf militants kidnapped 3 Indonesian fishing crew members off Sabah and had been taken to the southern Filipino province of Sulu, Malaysian media reported.
It said the trio - Heri Ardiansyah, 19; Jari Abdullah, and Hariadin, 45, were working for a fishing company in Sandakan town and had been seized by 7 gunmen on the night of December 5 near Pegasus Reef – an area where four armed men also attacked a tugboat two days later and wounded an Indonesian crew in what police said was a failed abduction.
Sabah police recovered the trawler of the missing Indonesian crewmen with its engine still running. “They were abducted on Wednesday. One of the victims apparently made contact with a family member late Thursday night. The sources also disclosed that the family member was urged to seek the assistance of the Indonesian consulate,” the Star reported.
It said, citing intelligence sources, that the gunmen were led by Abu Sayyaf commanders Al Mujir Yadah and Hajan Sawadjaan, who teamed up with another militant commander, Indang Susukan. The group was tagged as behind the spate of ransom kidnappings in the waters of Sabah and the recent attack on tugboat off Pegasus Reef.
The Star Online, quoting unidentified intelligence sources, said three fishermen had been taken by their abductors to Pata Island and later transferred them to Panamao town.
Panamao is near Luuk town where Abu Sayyaf had freed their Indonesian hostages several times in the past. Just December 6, the militants freed the 35-year old Usman Yusuf in Luuk’s Bual village.
Yusuf was quickly brought to a military base in the capital town of Jolo after soldiers recovered him in Bual village. He was kidnapped along with another Indonesian man Samsul Saguni, 40, in September 11 off Gaya Island in Sabah’s Semporna town and brought to Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region. Saguni’s fate remains unknown.
The release of Yusuf came after the Chief of the Indonesian Consul-General’s Office in Sabah, Sulistijo Djati Ismojo, appealed to Malaysia to resolve the kidnapping of its citizens. It was unknown whether ransom had been paid to the kidnappers in exchange for Yusuf’s release.
But in September, the Abu Sayyaf had previously released other kidnapped Indonesian hostages to Nur Misuari, chieftain of the former rebel group Moro National Liberation Front, and his wife Tarhata; and a former Indonesian army general Kivlan Zein who was believed to have negotiated for the victims’ freedom.
In September 14 this year, the militant group, whose leaders pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, also released to Misuari 3 other Indonesian hostages Hamdam Salim, Subandi Sattuh and Sudarlan Samansung, who were kidnapped at sea off Sabah in January.
In August 2016, civilians recovered 2 of seven Indonesian sailors Ismail and Mohamad Soyfan in the same village of Bual. The duo was part of a crew of tugboat Charles kidnapped in June of the same year after militants on speedboats intercepted the vessel while heading to Samarinda in East Kalimantan following a trip from the Philippines.
The remaining hostages – Ferry Arifin, the skipper; M. Mahbrur Dahri, Edi Suryono, M.Nasir, and Robin Piter were eventually freed by the Abu Sayyaf to Misuari on October 2, 2016.
There was no immediate report from the Philippine military on the latest abductions. But it recently said that the Abu Sayyaf is still holding at least three more foreigners and three Filipinos in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The capture of the suspects prevented potential terrorist attacks, particularly in non-Muslim sites of worship in Malaysia, on orders from ISIS.
The operations, carried over several days last month, revealed the terror plot and the connection of those captured to ISIS in Syria and Jamaa Ansharut Daulah, its largest affiliate in Indonesia. The arrest of the suspects foiled terror attacks in Malaysia, according to a report by Channel News Asia, which quoted Sabah police.
Police Inspector Fuzi Harun said the Abu Sayyaf members – whose identities were not made public – said one of them was involved in at least three serial kidnappings in southern Philippines and Sabah.
“The suspect is a member of the Abu Sayyaf group who was involved in at least three serial kidnappings in southern Philippines and Sabah. He is occupied as an individual who is requested by the Eastern Sabah Security Command to assist in criminal investigation in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone,” Fuzi said.
One of the Filipinos, 48, was arrested along with his 40-year old Malaysian wife, in Tenom, Sabah. They were also accused of hiding information about the presence of Abu Sayyaf in Sabah.
No other details on the Filipinos were made available by Malaysia or the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila.
Sayyafs abduct 3 Indonesians
It said the trio - Heri Ardiansyah, 19; Jari Abdullah, and Hariadin, 45, were working for a fishing company in Sandakan town and had been seized by 7 gunmen on the night of December 5 near Pegasus Reef – an area where four armed men also attacked a tugboat two days later and wounded an Indonesian crew in what police said was a failed abduction.
Sabah police recovered the trawler of the missing Indonesian crewmen with its engine still running. “They were abducted on Wednesday. One of the victims apparently made contact with a family member late Thursday night. The sources also disclosed that the family member was urged to seek the assistance of the Indonesian consulate,” the Star reported.
It said, citing intelligence sources, that the gunmen were led by Abu Sayyaf commanders Al Mujir Yadah and Hajan Sawadjaan, who teamed up with another militant commander, Indang Susukan. The group was tagged as behind the spate of ransom kidnappings in the waters of Sabah and the recent attack on tugboat off Pegasus Reef.
The Star Online, quoting unidentified intelligence sources, said three fishermen had been taken by their abductors to Pata Island and later transferred them to Panamao town.
Sulu
Yusuf was quickly brought to a military base in the capital town of Jolo after soldiers recovered him in Bual village. He was kidnapped along with another Indonesian man Samsul Saguni, 40, in September 11 off Gaya Island in Sabah’s Semporna town and brought to Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region. Saguni’s fate remains unknown.
The release of Yusuf came after the Chief of the Indonesian Consul-General’s Office in Sabah, Sulistijo Djati Ismojo, appealed to Malaysia to resolve the kidnapping of its citizens. It was unknown whether ransom had been paid to the kidnappers in exchange for Yusuf’s release.
Misuari-Zein
In September 14 this year, the militant group, whose leaders pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, also released to Misuari 3 other Indonesian hostages Hamdam Salim, Subandi Sattuh and Sudarlan Samansung, who were kidnapped at sea off Sabah in January.
In August 2016, civilians recovered 2 of seven Indonesian sailors Ismail and Mohamad Soyfan in the same village of Bual. The duo was part of a crew of tugboat Charles kidnapped in June of the same year after militants on speedboats intercepted the vessel while heading to Samarinda in East Kalimantan following a trip from the Philippines.
The remaining hostages – Ferry Arifin, the skipper; M. Mahbrur Dahri, Edi Suryono, M.Nasir, and Robin Piter were eventually freed by the Abu Sayyaf to Misuari on October 2, 2016.
There was no immediate report from the Philippine military on the latest abductions. But it recently said that the Abu Sayyaf is still holding at least three more foreigners and three Filipinos in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Sulu gets poultry farm, housing project from Go Negosyo and Bounty Fresh Agro Ventures
SULU – A poultry farm that can accommodate thousands of chickens is soon to start construction in the town of Parang in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, Gov. Toto Tan said Wednesday.
Tan said Bounty Fresh Agro Ventures in partnership with the Go Negosyo Program and the provincial government have launched the “Kapatid for Agro Bounty Fresh Poultry Farm” in the village of Tukay.
He said the livelihood program will greatly help many beneficiaries since Bounty Agro Ventures will also provide training for those who would be selected to run the farm.
Sulu Gov. Toto Tan with Ana Margarita Malvar, the project head for the Muslim autonomous region and adviser for Agri- Enterprises of the Go-Negosyo Program; and Dr. Kier Jason Fernandez, Bounty Fresh Contract Growing Supervisor, led the ground-breaking ceremony attended by the town’s mayor Madzhar Loong. (Photos courtesy of Sulu Provincial Government.)
Tan, together with Ana Margarita Malvar, the project head for the Muslim autonomous region and adviser for Agri- Enterprises of the Go-Negosyo Program; and Dr. Kier Jason Fernandez, Bounty Fresh Contract Growing Supervisor, led the ground-breaking ceremony attended by the town’s mayor Madzhar Loong.
Fernandez said an initial investment of 5,000 chickens and poultry housing will be provided by their company to jump start the livelihood program.
Loong expressed his gratitude to Go Negosyo and Bounty Fresh Agro Ventures for the livelihood package. “Maasahan ninyo na sisikapin namin mapaunlad ang malaking oportunidad na pang-kabuhayan na ibinigay ninyo dito sa Barangay Tukay,” Loong said.
Malvar, for her part, reminded recipients to seize this opportunity and have their best interest in mind. “The determination of its success is now in your hands,” she said.
Tan praised Go Negosyo and Bounty Agro Ventures for their continued support to Sulu’s various pro-poor programs.
Malvar also handed out housing certificates to the beneficiaries of the first batch of the Go Negosyo Kapatid Village in Kalinggalan Caluang town where an initial 8 are ready for distribution.
Town Mayor Peping Halun thanked Malvar and Go Negosyo founder Jose Maria Concepcion III, who is also Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Tan said Bounty Fresh Agro Ventures in partnership with the Go Negosyo Program and the provincial government have launched the “Kapatid for Agro Bounty Fresh Poultry Farm” in the village of Tukay.
He said the livelihood program will greatly help many beneficiaries since Bounty Agro Ventures will also provide training for those who would be selected to run the farm.
Sulu Gov. Toto Tan with Ana Margarita Malvar, the project head for the Muslim autonomous region and adviser for Agri- Enterprises of the Go-Negosyo Program; and Dr. Kier Jason Fernandez, Bounty Fresh Contract Growing Supervisor, led the ground-breaking ceremony attended by the town’s mayor Madzhar Loong. (Photos courtesy of Sulu Provincial Government.) Tan, together with Ana Margarita Malvar, the project head for the Muslim autonomous region and adviser for Agri- Enterprises of the Go-Negosyo Program; and Dr. Kier Jason Fernandez, Bounty Fresh Contract Growing Supervisor, led the ground-breaking ceremony attended by the town’s mayor Madzhar Loong.
Fernandez said an initial investment of 5,000 chickens and poultry housing will be provided by their company to jump start the livelihood program.
Loong expressed his gratitude to Go Negosyo and Bounty Fresh Agro Ventures for the livelihood package. “Maasahan ninyo na sisikapin namin mapaunlad ang malaking oportunidad na pang-kabuhayan na ibinigay ninyo dito sa Barangay Tukay,” Loong said.
Malvar, for her part, reminded recipients to seize this opportunity and have their best interest in mind. “The determination of its success is now in your hands,” she said.
Tan praised Go Negosyo and Bounty Agro Ventures for their continued support to Sulu’s various pro-poor programs.
Malvar also handed out housing certificates to the beneficiaries of the first batch of the Go Negosyo Kapatid Village in Kalinggalan Caluang town where an initial 8 are ready for distribution.
Town Mayor Peping Halun thanked Malvar and Go Negosyo founder Jose Maria Concepcion III, who is also Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Saturday, December 8, 2018
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Friday, December 7, 2018
House approves draft federal charter
THE HOUSE of Representatives approved on second reading Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 15, or the proposed federal charter.
The lower chamber passed through voice voting RBH 15, which seeks to propose revisions to the 1987 Constitution. It was principally authored by Speaker Gloria Arroyo and over two dozen lawmakers and the resolution was put to a vote on second reading following three session days of plenary debates.
RBH 15 proposes a presidential-bicameral-federal system of government and empowers Congress to establish federal states. It seeks to adopt and develop a two-party system as a mechanism of representation and democratic governance. It also lifts the term limits for members of Congress.
Lawmakers shall be required to have a college degree. The first election under the proposed Constitution shall be held on the second Monday of May 2022. The term of the President and Vice President, which shall end in 2022, shall not be extended. The incumbent president is prohibited from running in the 2022 elections.
Arroyo earlier said the House will work on Charter change as best as they could within the time left under the 17th Congress, while hoping that the next Congress will continue their work. "We know that there will still be many steps. But the thing is, we will bring it as far as we can bring it, in the hope that the next Congress can continue the work," she said.
President Rodrigo Duterte is also pushing strongly for federal system of government and had even threatened to make Mindanao a federal region if lawmakers fail to amend the Constitution to pave the way for new government.
Duterte said the current unitary system has spelled so much trouble. When he was mayor in Davao City in southern Philippines, Duterte had been strongly campaigning for the establishment of a federal form of government and in many of his public appearances and speeches the President said federalism is the next best thing for the country.
He also vowed to step down - even before his term ends on 2022 - as soon as the new federal government is fully functional.
Duterte’s stand virtually reinforced Sulu’s strong support to the President firm stand and advocacy for a federal form of government. The governor of Sulu, Toto Tan, even filed a petition with the Supreme Court questioning the legality and constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL which, if approved by Muslims in a plebiscite set in January, shall replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM, under the rule of the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF.
The MILF signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014 which paved the way for the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and was signed by Duterte and became what is now known as BOL. In the proposal of the Constitutional Commission as stated in Article XI, the federal republic will have 18 regions, 16 of which will be symmetrical.
The Muslim and Cordillera regions will have asymmetrical setups due to provisions of their autonomy which recognizes ethnicity, culture, customs, traditions, language and distinct identities. Muslim leaders and various stakeholders in Mindanao have been pushing for the separation of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi from the ARMM and instead include the provinces in Zamboanga Peninsula to form part of a federated states should Congress approve the proposed federalism government.
The three neighboring provinces were originally part of Region 9 in Western Mindanao which is comprise of Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte, and now the addition of Zamboanga Sibugay. In a consensus held only this year, stakeholders from Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao trooped here to read their manifesto as a show of strong support to the proposal for the creation of ‘Federal State of ZamBaSulTa’.
Among the valid justifications for the proposed Federal State of ZamBaSulTa are Economic Viability and to ensure this is to group together Zamboanga Peninsula with Zamboanga City as the center, and Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi; Historical Reality as the shared history of the area and proposed federal state is a strong argument for its unity as one federal state.
This history stems from the once dominant force exerted by the Sulu Sultanate over these areas, including Southern Palawan and the islands of Sulu and South China Seas, but the consensus also maintained that this is not to say the Sultanate of Sulu will again lay claim to these areas, instead, the region is now witness to different operative local government units that wield the real power and that cannot be changed.
It also cited other justification for the union such as Geographical Proximity because the provinces and Zamboanga City is contiguous to each other by land, and Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are situated next to each other like a chain of island south of the Zamboanga Peninsula. And Demographic and Cultural Identity because of similarity in culture and peoples – Muslim and Christian relationship, education and interfaith engagements have strengthened this identity in the region.
At least 5 influential Sulu sultans, Ibrahim Bahjin, Muizuddin Jainal Bahjin, Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, Mohammad Venizar Julkarnain Jainal Abirin and Phugdalun Kiram who are part of the Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate, also attended the event dubbed - “The Bangsa Sug Consensus – ZamBaSulTa.
A People of Significance.” - and threw their all-out support for the proposal along with Muslim religious leaders led by the Grand Mufti, His Eminence Abdulbaqi Abubakar. The Tan patriarch, in a position paper he read before the huge crowd, enumerated several concerns and reaction of Muslims to the proposed Bangsamoro Bill and federalism.
He said the main objections of the people of Sulu through its Sultanate to the proposed Bangsamoro law center on the provisions on Territory that would change the historical name of the Sulu Sea to “Bangsamoro Waters.” He said Sulu Sea should retain its name.
Tan said the constituents in the provinces under the ARMM (including Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao) should be given the option to vote against inclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro entity. “The position is anchored on the principle of democratic consultation which is an essential element of plebiscites and a basic concept in Islam, as embodied by the principle of Shura (or consultation) in the Holy Qur’an.”
“The method of plebiscite and the counting of votes should be based on real democratic consultation and should not be hampered by what may be considered as the tyranny of the majority,” the elder Tan said.
He said the present version of the bill provides that the establishment of the Bangsamoro and the determination of the Bangsamoro territory shall take effect upon ratification of the Basic Law by majority votes cast in plebiscite.
The present bill, Tan said, takes for granted that all five constituent provinces favor inclusion in the new Bangsamoro entity. “This should never be presumed because presumption destroys the democratic essence of plebiscites. Precisely for the reason that the Bangsamoro entity is new, and is not just an amended version of the ARMM, the consent and option of the ARMM constituent provinces should be respected,” he said.
Tan said when the constituent provinces voted for inclusion to the ARMM in past plebiscites, they consented to be included in the ARMM, and not in the Bangsamoro which is completely new legal entity. “Ratification therefore should be on the basis of the majority votes of each constituent province and not of the entire geographical area of the present ARMM,” he said.
He said the territorial lines of federalization should not be dictated by religious dogma for this would be limiting, counter-productive and contrary to the spirit of nationhood.
“The federal territorial divide is not a divide of peoples and religions; it is a realistic and practical divide of administration and governance, so that the people get the best and most viable governance that befits their needs and circumstances,” Tan said, adding, a copy of the consensus was submitted to the House of Representatives and Senate, and the Palace. Representatives from various sectors from the academe to business groups also read their own manifesto supporting the consensus.
Muslims have been urging Duterte to consult all different tribes in southern Philippines in drafting the Bangsamoro bill that will be part of the new Federal government lawmakers are proposing.
There are over a dozen Muslim tribes in the region, mostly in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao and also in Palawan. There are an estimated 11 million Muslims or approximately 11 percent of the Philippine population, but their leaders are not well represented in the Bangsamoro Transition Commission or BTC the government has put up to draft the BBL.
Majority of the Muslims do not even know the provisions in the BBL and previous consultations in the time of the Aquino administrations were mostly staged with Muslim leaders saying they were not consulted. And to make matter worse, Christian lawmakers continue to challenge the provisions in the draft law by saying they are unconstitutional.
Even provincial governors of the Muslim provinces were not part of the BTC which was chaired by Mohagher Iqbal, the vice chairman of the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014. The MILF - whose influence is concentrated only in Maguindanao - now wanted to rule over the proposed new Bangsamoro homeland that would replace the Muslim autonomous region. Muslims in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and Palawan belong to the majority Tausug which is the native inhabitants of Sulu and two ethnic tribes – the Yakan and Samal – and they do not want to be ruled by the MILF, of majority of its tribe and members.
They wanted a separate autonomous region for the Tausug, Yakan and Sama; and for the revival of the Sultanate of Sulu and give political powers to their sultans. (By Filane Mikee Cervantes. And Mindanao Examiner)
The lower chamber passed through voice voting RBH 15, which seeks to propose revisions to the 1987 Constitution. It was principally authored by Speaker Gloria Arroyo and over two dozen lawmakers and the resolution was put to a vote on second reading following three session days of plenary debates.
RBH 15 proposes a presidential-bicameral-federal system of government and empowers Congress to establish federal states. It seeks to adopt and develop a two-party system as a mechanism of representation and democratic governance. It also lifts the term limits for members of Congress.
Lawmakers shall be required to have a college degree. The first election under the proposed Constitution shall be held on the second Monday of May 2022. The term of the President and Vice President, which shall end in 2022, shall not be extended. The incumbent president is prohibited from running in the 2022 elections.
Arroyo earlier said the House will work on Charter change as best as they could within the time left under the 17th Congress, while hoping that the next Congress will continue their work. "We know that there will still be many steps. But the thing is, we will bring it as far as we can bring it, in the hope that the next Congress can continue the work," she said.
Duterte wants federal system
Duterte said the current unitary system has spelled so much trouble. When he was mayor in Davao City in southern Philippines, Duterte had been strongly campaigning for the establishment of a federal form of government and in many of his public appearances and speeches the President said federalism is the next best thing for the country.
He also vowed to step down - even before his term ends on 2022 - as soon as the new federal government is fully functional.
Sulu's stand
The MILF signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014 which paved the way for the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and was signed by Duterte and became what is now known as BOL. In the proposal of the Constitutional Commission as stated in Article XI, the federal republic will have 18 regions, 16 of which will be symmetrical.
The Muslim and Cordillera regions will have asymmetrical setups due to provisions of their autonomy which recognizes ethnicity, culture, customs, traditions, language and distinct identities. Muslim leaders and various stakeholders in Mindanao have been pushing for the separation of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi from the ARMM and instead include the provinces in Zamboanga Peninsula to form part of a federated states should Congress approve the proposed federalism government.
Region 9
Among the valid justifications for the proposed Federal State of ZamBaSulTa are Economic Viability and to ensure this is to group together Zamboanga Peninsula with Zamboanga City as the center, and Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi; Historical Reality as the shared history of the area and proposed federal state is a strong argument for its unity as one federal state.
This history stems from the once dominant force exerted by the Sulu Sultanate over these areas, including Southern Palawan and the islands of Sulu and South China Seas, but the consensus also maintained that this is not to say the Sultanate of Sulu will again lay claim to these areas, instead, the region is now witness to different operative local government units that wield the real power and that cannot be changed.
It also cited other justification for the union such as Geographical Proximity because the provinces and Zamboanga City is contiguous to each other by land, and Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are situated next to each other like a chain of island south of the Zamboanga Peninsula. And Demographic and Cultural Identity because of similarity in culture and peoples – Muslim and Christian relationship, education and interfaith engagements have strengthened this identity in the region.
Sultans of Sulu, North Borneo
A People of Significance.” - and threw their all-out support for the proposal along with Muslim religious leaders led by the Grand Mufti, His Eminence Abdulbaqi Abubakar. The Tan patriarch, in a position paper he read before the huge crowd, enumerated several concerns and reaction of Muslims to the proposed Bangsamoro Bill and federalism.
He said the main objections of the people of Sulu through its Sultanate to the proposed Bangsamoro law center on the provisions on Territory that would change the historical name of the Sulu Sea to “Bangsamoro Waters.” He said Sulu Sea should retain its name.
Tan said the constituents in the provinces under the ARMM (including Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao) should be given the option to vote against inclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro entity. “The position is anchored on the principle of democratic consultation which is an essential element of plebiscites and a basic concept in Islam, as embodied by the principle of Shura (or consultation) in the Holy Qur’an.”
“The method of plebiscite and the counting of votes should be based on real democratic consultation and should not be hampered by what may be considered as the tyranny of the majority,” the elder Tan said.
He said the present version of the bill provides that the establishment of the Bangsamoro and the determination of the Bangsamoro territory shall take effect upon ratification of the Basic Law by majority votes cast in plebiscite.
The present bill, Tan said, takes for granted that all five constituent provinces favor inclusion in the new Bangsamoro entity. “This should never be presumed because presumption destroys the democratic essence of plebiscites. Precisely for the reason that the Bangsamoro entity is new, and is not just an amended version of the ARMM, the consent and option of the ARMM constituent provinces should be respected,” he said.
Tan said when the constituent provinces voted for inclusion to the ARMM in past plebiscites, they consented to be included in the ARMM, and not in the Bangsamoro which is completely new legal entity. “Ratification therefore should be on the basis of the majority votes of each constituent province and not of the entire geographical area of the present ARMM,” he said.
He said the territorial lines of federalization should not be dictated by religious dogma for this would be limiting, counter-productive and contrary to the spirit of nationhood.
“The federal territorial divide is not a divide of peoples and religions; it is a realistic and practical divide of administration and governance, so that the people get the best and most viable governance that befits their needs and circumstances,” Tan said, adding, a copy of the consensus was submitted to the House of Representatives and Senate, and the Palace. Representatives from various sectors from the academe to business groups also read their own manifesto supporting the consensus.
Muslims
There are over a dozen Muslim tribes in the region, mostly in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao and also in Palawan. There are an estimated 11 million Muslims or approximately 11 percent of the Philippine population, but their leaders are not well represented in the Bangsamoro Transition Commission or BTC the government has put up to draft the BBL.
Majority of the Muslims do not even know the provisions in the BBL and previous consultations in the time of the Aquino administrations were mostly staged with Muslim leaders saying they were not consulted. And to make matter worse, Christian lawmakers continue to challenge the provisions in the draft law by saying they are unconstitutional.
Even provincial governors of the Muslim provinces were not part of the BTC which was chaired by Mohagher Iqbal, the vice chairman of the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014. The MILF - whose influence is concentrated only in Maguindanao - now wanted to rule over the proposed new Bangsamoro homeland that would replace the Muslim autonomous region. Muslims in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and Palawan belong to the majority Tausug which is the native inhabitants of Sulu and two ethnic tribes – the Yakan and Samal – and they do not want to be ruled by the MILF, of majority of its tribe and members.
They wanted a separate autonomous region for the Tausug, Yakan and Sama; and for the revival of the Sultanate of Sulu and give political powers to their sultans. (By Filane Mikee Cervantes. And Mindanao Examiner)
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