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Twelve years after the signing of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement
between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation
Front (MNLF), peace has remained elusive in the Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The upcoming ARMM elections on August 11, billed
as a milestone for democracy and stability in the region, may be
postponed to accommodate the peace agreement currently and
feverishly being finalized by the government and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF). As President Gloria Arroyo delivers her
State of the Nation Address on Monday, the Moro Times has decided to
catch up with Muslim youth living and studying in Manila to get
their take on true state of the Muslims and on life.
Although the students’ opinions varied on many
issues, there was consensus on one: the upcoming elections are not
credible. In reality, say the young, the actual voters have become
irrelevant.
ARMM elections
According to Arellano student Datu Arafat Kusain,
“There is no such thing as a credible election,” especially in
ARMM, where the true power lies in the hands of the administration
which can manipulate the outcome to their liking. Fellow Arellano
student Aisha Mangotara agreed, saying that “cheating is a part of
any election in the Philippines.”
University of the Philippines (UP) student Tani
Basman said, “It is not a safe bet that ARMM elections will be
credible.”
She noted that “violence is a way of life”
in ARMM and will always be part of the election process. Another UP
student, Yusoph Pangadapun 3rd, agreed, saying that “violence is
inevitable” in ARMM elections. UP Law student Johaira Wahab
denounced the upcoming elections as completely illegitimate, going
on to say that “people vote a certain way not because of free
choice but out of fear of certain people . . . the deep seated fear
in communities [in ARMM] of certain parties renders the right to
vote utterly senseless.”
Students also had little faith in the Commission
on Elections (Comelec) and local officials, saying that despite the
introduction of voting machines there is still little protection
against election fraud. Most people in the ARMM do not understand
how the machines work and votes could be easily manipulated.
Consequently, “automation could be used to legitimize election
fraud.”
When asked about which candidates they felt
would best serve the interests of the Bangsamoro people, the
students offered a wide variety of answers. Kamaruddin Mohammed felt
that none of the candidates were very credible. Johaira Wahab’s
stance largely correlated with Mohammed’s, saying that, “No
candidate has volunteered to clarify to the electorate their visions
and goals for the people of ARMM.” She later added that none of
the candidates truly understand the real problems facing ARMM.
Happy Dimahtang simply responded that she
supports whoever believes in “equality and fairness.”
Most students, however, were not familiar with
the candidates—a sign of apathy toward the elections—as they
felt, despite their hopes for the future, that they would not bring
about any real change. Kusain even expressed his sentiments that
rebel groups such as the MILF and MNLF serve the people of ARMM
better than any politician.
ARMM government
Almost all of the students interviewed felt that
the current ARMM government has been largely incompetent. UP student
Adawiya Suwaib Ismael said the current ARMM government has
accomplished very little in their three-year reign. She said she
believed that most of the decisions made by the government did not
benefit the masses, but only the politicians.
Mangotara expressed similar concerns that
conditions have remained largely unchanged in the region, despite
government promises.
Kamaruddin Mohammad added, “There have been
improvements, but overall the situation has gotten worse.”
Kusain’s views were similar, conceding that
there had been some minor progress, but that progress has been
surpassed by setbacks— namely the government’s “failure to
fully implement projects and proposals.” While Wahab felt that
“if anything—[conditions] have gone from bad to worse.”
The common consensus seem to be that the ARMM
government has not made much of a difference in the region, and have
only succeeded in securing personal fortunes and positions for ARMM
officials and their family members.
National government
Most students were equally disenchanted with the
national government and the Arroyo administration. UP student
Kamaruddin Mohammed said that “[President] Arroyo is not
trustworthy” and expressed concerns that she is largely a puppet
figure, controlled from behind the scenes. He added that despite
promises of progress, many of her development programs and economic
policies have failed miserably.
Datu Arafat Kusain expressed that he had some
faith in the government as a whole, but none in the current
administration.
Many students seemed to agree that the
government in Manila is not looking out for the best interests of
the Bangsamoro, but is only interested in personal gain. Only
Arellano students Happy Dimahtang and Aisha Mangotara had faith in
the current administration. While Dimahtang stated “I always have
faith in the government,” Mangotara believes that the current
officials are “competent.”
Life in Manilafor Moro ‘savages’
Despite their academic excellence, many of the
young Muslims admit to facing discrimination in Manila, though all
of the UP students explicitly stated that there was none on campus.
Some recalled the highly publicized protest of the officers of the
Greenhills Village Association led by Unesco Commisioner Preciosa
Soliven against the construction of a “musalah” or prayer room
in Greenhills, several years ago. The Ortigas Corp. decided to
include a prayer room in the parking building to accommodate the
hundreds of Muslim traders in Greenhills, since a beautiful chapel
existed across from the central courtyard of the shopping center.
The village officers protested, claiming that the prayer room would
attract criminals and lower property values. The Ortigas Corp.
proceeded with the construction and property values have continued
to rise.
Gunting said that the most common form of
discrimination he runs into is the misconception by his peers, who
have been taught to view Moros as “savage” or “barbaric.”
Kamaruddin Mohammed recalled facing significant discrimination in
the job market, where he said he has been turned down by companies
just because of his name, and was once told by a receptionist “We
don’t hire Muslims”. Many students agreed that discrimination,
such as being refused service by taxi drivers, is a common
experience. Residents of Maharlika, the Muslim village in Taguig,
have gotten used to taxi drivers dropping them off at the entrance
of the village instead of bringing them to their homes.
Basman lamented that many people think Muslims
are uneducated or stupid, and assume that Muslims are illiterate and
cannot speak Tagalog. Suwaib noted that Muslim women face
discrimination when they choose to wear a hijab (headscarf) or burqa
(one piece garment that covers from head to toe); admitting that she
herself has been harassed and threatened while walking alone.
All students found it better to deal with
discrimination diplomatically, choosing not to feed into people’s
stereotypes of Muslims.
Will they go back home?
These young leaders came to Manila for one
reason: a good education. Arellano student Khalid Gunting came to
study law, as did Kusain, who was attracted by the “peace and
order” of Manila, which he felt would be beneficial to studying.
Kamaruddin Mohammad initially came to Manila for work, but then
decided to go back to school so he could better serve the Bangsamoro
people upon his return.
While these young Moroshave a deep-seated desire
to serve their people, they are concerned about the lack of
opportunity in the region. Wahab, Suwaib, and Hasniyah plan to
return to ARMM after graduation, like Mohammed who hopes to spread
education in his homeland. Gunting would like to practice law in
Manila for a few years before he returns home. Dimahtang also said
she would like to go back, but would stay in Manila if a better
opportunity arises. Mangotara plans to stay in Manila permanently,
as do the Basman siblings, who were raised in Manila.
Peace in Mindanao
The youth are well aware of the lack of
implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement and the problems
surrounding the current peace talks with the MNLF. There was near
unanimous consent that the long-drawn out peace process in ARMM has
become so stagnant, that it has become irrelevant to most people.
Mangotara decried the fact that there are no
significant changes in the lives of the Bangsamoro.
Hasniyah corroborated this, stating that there
has been no resolution or positive outcome despite over a decade of
negotiations with the MILF.
Mohammad, Kusain, and Gunting all shared the
view that although the peace process has moved forward, it is at a
snail’s pace, and often inconsistent. The situation improves and
then worsens depending on the game plan of “Imperial Manila.”
The future
All of the students dream of a more peaceful and
secure future where cultural pluralism will allow peoples of
different faith and culture can coexist. Kusain, Mangotara and
Dimahtang would like to see an end to the recurring cycle of
violence so prevalent in Muslim Mindanao. UP student Anna Tajminah
Basman hopes for a more open minded and tolerant Philippine society,
where Muslims will not face discrimination based on their religion.
Kamaruddin Mohammad hopes to spread and improve education in Bangsamoro—creating
strong communities and a sustainable future for modern Muslims.
Several shared the hope of UP student Sri
Hasniyah to wipe out corruption in ARMM, so the region can finally
experience peaceful and fair elections. Tani Basman and Wahab, both
wanting to see real democracy in ARMM, look forward to the day when
the national government truly acknowledges the voice of Muslims. The
youth leaders are dreaming of a future where democracy, stability
and cultural plurality will be shared by the “ummah” or Muslim
community here and abroad.
So speak our youth. Is anyone listening?
-- Interviews by Matthew Sugawara Levyand Jamel Cayamodin
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