Wyzemoro on the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity
August 5th, 2008 at 11:47 pm (General, National Politics)
I have had the privilege of knowing the thoughts of Moslemen “Jun” Macarambon Jr, a blogger and Bangsamoro advocate, on the controversial Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE).
According to Jun, the BJE or MOA-AD/Memorandum of Agreement - Ancestral Domain will be composed of the present Autonomous Region for Mulsim Mindanao (ARMM) as the core territory plus other areas outside ARMM. These other areas will have its plebiscite after the signing of MOA-AD. The MOA-AD is an agreement laying the conceptual foundation and framework for the future Bangsamoro Homeland.
Jun thinks that the ARMM is not a genuine solution for Moro self-governance. He cites that the Supreme Court voided the creation of Shariff Kabunsuan Province that was passed and approved by the ARMM Legislative Assembly.
On the other hand, BJE gives the Moro people, self-governance. Jun quotes the draft agreement:
8. The parties agree that the BJE shall be empowered to build, develop and maintain its own institutions, inclusive of, civil service, electoral, financial and banking, education, legislation, legal, economic, and police and internal security force, judicial system and correctional institutions, necessary for developing a progressive Bangsamoro society the details of which shall be discussed in the negotiation of the comprehensive compact.
Jun believes that the agreement will pave the way for genuine self-governance for the Moro people. MOA-AD will support the creation of BJE. He believesthis agreement will correct the social injustices committed by the Philippine government to the Moro People for the past decades.
If the GRP implements the agreement, Jun thinks peace can be attained in Mindanao. However, Jun cited statements such as those allegedly by opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson asserting that after GMA, the next president won’t recognize this agreement.
According to Jun, the Mass Moro People is the best representatives of themselves. But in this case and point in time,
the MILF can represent the Bangsamoro people as long they don’t deviate away from the rights and aspirations of the mass moro people for self-determination and freedom. But if they (MILF) sells the rights of the Moro people for their own self-interest, I’m sure there will be a new moro liberation group that will continue to fight for the rights and aspirations of the moro people. Like what happened to MNLF. MNLF failed, and the MILF was born. So far, the MILF leadership has the the moral ascendancy to fight in behalf of the Moro people.
Jun applauds that the MoA and BJE, further recognizes the inherent right of the Bangsamoro for self-governance:
1. It is the birthright of all Moros and all Indigenous peoples of Mindanao to identify themselves and be accepted as “Bangsamoros”. The Bangsamoro people refers to those who are natives or original inhabitants of Mindanao and its adjacent islands including Palawan and the Sulu archipelago at the time of conquest or colonization of its descendants whether mixed or of full blood. Spouses and their descendants are classified as Bangsamoro. The freedom of choice of the Indigenous people shall be respected.
However, Jun recognizes that the MoA is limited to self-governance and ancestral domain and does no cover the separation of the Bangsamoro state from the RP. But he believes that after the BJE has become stable, the Bangsamoro will be made to decided, probably via a referendum if want to be separated from the RP. Jun presents options such as Federalism, a Bangsamoro State within RP, an Associate State, or even an Independent State for the Moro People.
Jun is saddened that majority of Christians vetoed the MoA. Jun, believes that the MoA is what is best for the Moro people. Jun questions the kind of democracy we have in the Philippines wherein Filipinos are dictates the fate of Moros. Jun is advocating a referendum to determine the political status of Muslims.
Jun believes that the MoA can solve the centuries old Moro Problem in Mindanao and to consequently, attain elusive peace in Mindanao. He thinks the MoA will benefit everyone, the Filipinos and the Moro people. Jun quotes Simon Peres “It’s better to build two States and Be friends, than build one and become Enemies for the rest of our lives.” (PDI, September 10, 1998)
Jun shares some links and further readings to understand the Moro problem or Mindanao Problem:
* Moro’s Grievances Under Philippine Government (in YouTube):
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AZNGwacxxA
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYA6GWUT1tU
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt8b8GN_anI
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WuGisbuzAw
* BRIEF HISTORY OF BANGSAMORO STRUGGLE
For further readings on Jun’s thoughts and opinions, please check out his blog at http://blog.wyzemoro.com.
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CAZZEE said,
August 12, 2008 at 9:06 pm
I think this Agreement should be done though a plebiscite and make various consultation with the Filipino’s both Muslims and Christians. And the Government should publish the whole agreement and nothing is hidden. So the people can create and form their opinion about this very important matter. Congress and both houses should approve this agreement, And Executive branch alone cannot do this by it self for We, belongs to a Democratic Country
GILDA said,
August 12, 2008 at 9:15 pm
As I have been reading articles about this pending Memorandum between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines Vs. the Moro Islamic Liberation Front so many questions and confusion appears and leads me to seek for more details to feed me an ideas to point out my Stand and Position upon this matter
As I research further and Ideas came out and make me feel fear, that We, living in same island might be affected and suffer this conflict among sectors in Mindanao. I my self, as a student, have nothing to do by my own, but just to be aware, by means of this research, it make me felt’s confused by the said AGREEMENT. Co’z We , as Mindanaon’s only seek for our freedom and restoration of peace in this Island. But we may also fear someday and somehow it might lead to war, and lost many innocent lives.
And for our Muslim Brothers what they only want is simply give them what they deserve, respect for their culture, dignity and ancestral Domain Not for any Political Cause, or Purposes, But for the better of every individual residing within this State.
GILDA said,
August 12, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I THANK MR IAN BAJADE FOR GIVING US THIS” POSITION REPORT” AS PART OF OUR MIDTERM EXAM IT HELPS ME A LOT TO UNDERSTAND WHATS GOIN ON WITH OUR ISLAND IN THE PRESENT AND UNTO THE FUTURE….
MABUHAY PO! ANG TAGA SAN FRANCISCO COLLEGES
Emmanuel Abraham said,
August 17, 2008 at 11:25 pm
The Bangsamoro Juridical Entity is a very interesting Memorandum. As a history student, I know for the fact that we are a Republic Country but as we appeal to the Human rights of the Filipino people, it is very important to know what is really happening to mindanao. Is there really a war between the AFP and MILF. But as far as i concern, it is the right of the muslim people to have that peice of land to their own, because our country is not just for Christians but likewise for Muslims and other people with a different traditons and beliefs. We should give them a fair treatment. For that, i believe that this Bangsamoro Juridical Entity will lead us to peace in Mindanao. But people is concluding while there premises is not yet stable, Bangsamoro Juridical Entity is not an act to make Philippines as a Federal Country or pursuing Charter change.
marjun said,
August 19, 2008 at 7:14 am
Well,there is only one thing that comes into my mind upon knowing this appalling situation.Is this really true or another show/game of the administration!? Why i give such notion because i observed from the vivid reality that the administration is doing their best to remain in the position and its power..
Moreover,if it is really true,,this BANGSAMORO JURIDICAL ENTITY is favorable for me..because as a political science student i also felt the social injustices committed by the national government to the moro people for i also live here in mindanao,living with muslims..However,it doesn’t mean that im happy of what the MILF is doing to the innocent people in mindanao,!!!! That was so obnoxious and inhumane!!!they must be given legal action to that..
For filipinos specially to the mindanaons all what we can do for now is to be vigilant and paramount to all let us pray that all of us filipinos will be united what ever tribe we belong..vow..ang haba no!!
anonymous said,
August 20, 2008 at 7:38 am
All this negotation, “freedom”, “independence”, “development” of the bangsamoro, i opined as close to non-sense. With all due respect to “them”, they have that tendency to self-pity. I mean, they claim that they are least-developed, that most of their people are poor, illiterate; or that they do not own what was “originally” theirs. I say that all of these should not be given a melodramatic, unnecessary attention. Why? Because, believe it or not,
1.) theirs is not the only poor race or baranggay(imagine the badjao, the mandaya, mansaka, bilaan, the negritoes; one can ask the farmers at Negros of this);
2.) theirs is not the only race robbed of its ancestral territory (imagine again, the other indigenous of our country).
So why treat them as something worhty of attention? Because, it is only their race who is capable of raising and organizing an army to declare war and sow terror. Because, basically, as history would have it, theirs is the most war-like race. And if we won’t open our eyes to their “reality”, then “they”‘ would take “us” hostages (by attacks that disturb “peace”). Without their army, their plight would be, sadly, buried in history. Well, if I sounded like a racist, or someone that “recognizes the hostility of their otherness”, we cannot blame anyone for that, really.
The most practical “solution” however, as some legislators would say, is to promote federalism - that is say, by creating lands. By “creating lands” we mean to divide this Archipelago into, say, 11 regions. Ha, but instead of a central avenue for corruption (remember that our system is unified and not yet federated), there would be eleven!
I really hope, there is still hope.
rieya said,
September 3, 2008 at 6:35 am
i personally believe that the establishment of FEDERALISM to be manifested in our constitution should be a pre-requisite before we begin to make demarcations and boundaries of what belongs to “us” and “them”. federalism will definitely aid the existing internal conflicts that stem from the politics of differences (race, language, region, gender, religion etc..). i also think that MILF, being the one handling the other end of the bargain, is the speciic factor that scares the rest of the Philippines. they have been very violently assertive (not to stereotype and generalize all muslims- for i also have muslim friends and am partly a native of mindanao) and their is a possibility that they will make use of this power to extend their control and authority - i cannot also imagine what kind of humane administration will be established out of the fear of their constitutents. it will be like the RWANDA genocide of the Tutsis by the Hutus - out of hatred and sympathy for kin…. tssktssk
Advocater said,
October 23, 2008 at 7:16 am
What we are fighting all this time is an Independent Country. A Country that we can govern and develop ourselves. The GRP are never sincere in helping us the Bangsamoro people..that’s why we became rebellious. There wont be peace until we’re given Independence. Philippines is a corrupt, undeveloped, poor, controlled by USA and has a weak economic system. The development is only in Manila…open your eyes people…cant you see? The gap between rich and poor is too obvious…the rural areas are never taken care of…the inflation is high…unemployment sky rocketing high. Yet, the Goverment still have much time to oppress the Muslims and indigenious people.
JacktheDreamer said,
October 26, 2008 at 11:16 pm
@Advocater
“A Country that we can govern and develop ourselves”.. That is the most absurd thing I’ve heard. Even United Kingdom needs India, Africa, “the east indies” to be what it is now. In short, it cannot do by itself: it needs to dominate, colonise, overpower other nations for it to be a Power. Unless of course you want your country to be, well, silent and “peaceful” - in short, stagnant. Ha! Better stop the dreaming…while you’re still awake.