OUR front page yesterday had the story “Bangsamoro resources not for multinationals—Muslim leader.” It reported that “a Moro traditional leader and technocrat called for the wise exploitation of natural resources in the soon-to-be created Bangsamoro region.”

Datu Yusoph Boyog Mama, former regional director of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Region XI with headquarters in Davao City, said that the “Bangsamoro’s mineral resources should be safeguarded for the benefit of the people of the region and not for multinationals or businessmen outside the region.”

Datu Mama could have been mouthing sentiments that could win him votes—he is candidate for governor of the ARMM in the next election. His words could turn off foreign investors from the United States, European countries and Japan. These countries have been very helpful in keeping the government-MILF ceasefire so that peace negotiations can take place. They have been serving as peace monitors. And they have poured lots of aid into Muslim Mindanao. Their corporations have been investing in Mindanao. But they can invest a hundredfold more.

Once a comprehensive peace agreement between the government and the MILF is signed we expect massive foreign direct investments (FDIs) to pour into Mindanao from the US, the UK and other European countries, Japan and the rich Arab countries.

We pray these countries are not driven away from Mindanao by words such as those of Datu Mama. Of course, wealth from the resources in Bangsamoro must first of all benefit the Moros and second the non-Moro Filipinos. But investors should make just and ample profits from their foreign direct investments.

MILF leaders, like Philippine government people, have spoken very positively about foreign countries, making calls for them to invest massively in Muslim-majority provinces of Mindanao.

May God’s will be done. Insha’Allah.