The Moro compromise

Recent negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Davao city, Mindanao island, have produced some encouraging results. But a very important issue concerning the scope of a proposed autonomous state has remained unsolved, even though the 1976 Tripoli Agreement has designated 13 provinces as part of such a state. The government has insisted on a plebiscite in the 13 provinces, which, if held, would probably gain support for a smaller autonomous state which is unacceptable to the MNLF.

The government is undoubtedly aware that before World War II the Moros constituted the majority of people not only in the 13 provinces but in the entire Moro homeland of Mindanao, Sulu and the Palawan Islands. The demographic balance began to change drastically after the war when the government, in disregard of the sensitivities of the indigenous Moros, encouraged large scale transmigration of land grabbing northern Filipinos to the south. The Moros soon became an impoverished minority in part of their own region. Indeed, as reported by the Manila Times in 1971, there were approximately 800,000 Moro refugees driven from their lands in a process known today as ethnic cleansing.

The irony of the proposed plebiscite is this: Why should the Philippine government insist on a plebiscite now when one was not needed in the 1950's or 1960's to move millions of Christian Filipinos into the Moros' region? A plebiscite now is not just a legal tactic but it is also extremely unjust. After all, unlike the Abu Sayaff and other extremist groups, the MNLF wants only a measure of internal autonomy; such matters as foreign policy and national defense would remain under the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the central government. The 13 provinces would make up an area which is only 55 percent of the original Moro homeland, and the Christians within it will be completely free to practice their religious and cultural traditions.

There must be a change of heart by the Philippine government and Christian Filipinos in general. It is well known that the Spanish colonialists deliberately created a negative image of the Moros in order to justify their own persecution and discrimination of Moslems. But modern Filipinos have no reason to perpetuate persecution and discrimination, and I am most scorn such practices. The six million Moros, who for centuries have fought courageously and persistently as true patriots against the Spanish and American intruders, certainly deserve better.

I do hope the next round of talks between the government and the MNLF, due to be held before the end of this month, will result in a compromise which will eventually bring peace and justice to these long aggrieved people.

MASLI ARMAN

Jakarta