As fears of a divided Mindanao loom over a document called MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOA) ON THE ANCESTRAL DOMAIN to be signed tomorrow in KL between government and MILF (witnessed by a pageant of Malacanang and Muslim leaders - MNLF, traditional leaders, MILF etc), here's a timeline of how it all came to be.

Media will certainly play a bridging role in making historic events  understood by the public and hopefully will contribute to   peace journalism's goal of tackling facts conscious of  CONTEXT, CONSEQUENCE AND CHANGE.

MAMA MOA, WHAT's ALL THE FUSS?

Highlights of Bangsamoro HISTORY

Compiled by ALTIFAHNY LAGUINDAB, REY TRILLANA, ABDULRAHMAN ISMAEL, SAMIRA GUTOC

1450 AD - A Johore-born Arab adventurer, Shari'ful Hashem Syed Abu Bakr, arrived in Sulu from Melaka; He married Param Isuli, daughter of Raja Baguinda, and founded The Royal Sultanate of Sulu in 1457; He declared himself H.R.H. Paduka Maulana Mahasari Sharif Sultan Hashem Abu Bakr, Sultan of Sulu, of the Saudi House of Hashemite in Hadramaut, where most Tausug and Yakan believe Prophet Mohammad's genealogy is traced.

1451 AD - By this time, the Melakan Sultanate had become a leading center of Islam in southeast Asia, and as a time-tested protege of the Ming dynasty, Yung Lo sent away his daughter Hang Li-po and a cortege of five-hundred Mandarin ladies as a gift to Melakan Sultan Mansor Shah in 1459; in turn, Shah conceived "Bukit Cina" as a permanent residential court for his esteemed visitors.


H.R.H. Sultan Syed Hashem Abu Bak'r reign (1457-1480) .

1470 AD - Muslim conquest of the Madjapahit Empire.

1473-1521 AD - Golden age and rule of Nakhoda Ragam Sultan Bulkeiah’s Sultanate of Brunei that expanded her hegemony to include North Borneo, Sarawak, Indonesia Balabac, Banggi, and Palawan in Archipelago San Lazaro (present-day Philippines) and the new Royal Sultanate of Sulu

H.R.H. Sultan Kamal ud-Din reign (1480-1519) .

1509 AD - A Bengali Putih and Diego Lopez deSequeira with a squadron of five Portuguese battle ships established the first White settlement in Melaka (Ferdinand Magellan was said to be a member of this expedition).

1511 AD - Portuguese privateer Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Melaka from deSequeira and reported of Muslim trading vessels from Sulu anchored in that Malay port.

1512 AD - Unnamed Portuguese sailors effected a brief landing in Mindanaw.

1520 AD - Jesuit historian Francisco Combe reported of an unnamed Muslim Sharif who tried to spread Islam to Jolo but died at Bud Tumangtangis; His magnificent tomb was comparable to those in Makkah, but unfortunately in the years following, Manila Spaniards burned it to the ground.

1565-1663  - Fourth Stage of Moro Wars (Majul)

1638-1640 - Records had it that Sulu Sultan Wasits many heroic battles during this period at Bud Datu in Jolo island against the Manila Spaniards were never lucidly recorded; It was Wasit who named this hill to honor the bravery and unconditional loyalty of his datus.

1718-1772 - Fifth Stage of Moro Wars (Majul)

December 21,1751 - A furious Manila governor-general F. Valdez y Tamon issued a decree that ordered: (1) The extermination of all Moros with fire and sword; (2) The destruction of all their crops and desolate their lands; (3) Make Moro captives; (4) Recover Christian slaves; and (5) Exempt all Christians from payment of any taxes and tributes while engaged in the termination of these Moros.

March.1877 - The Sulu Protocol was signed between Spain, England, and Germany that recognized Spain’s rights over Sulu and, in consideration for the said lease of North Borneo, ended European hostilities in the area

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We regard a home to be complete with the members of the family around. Additional flags could be a garden, appliances, pets and a place to neutralize emotions, like trees, bearing or not bearing. Under their shades you can articulate our long awaited story of anger and annoyance in life.

Our garden at home is just enough to accommodate our contentment, surrounded by limited  varieties of flowers with our overflowing care. Setting our alarm clock do not bother us, since the early hums of birds awakens us each day. There are those most friendly birds which hum on the rear side of our window, on top of mango tree. Others are mostly on top of Balimbing fruit bearing tree (Filipino fruit bearing tree), and wow! How sweet thus they hum, as if they confer an early vocation for the day. They are I think four if not five, because the alternating hum flash in the different part of that tree. The first mentioned birds on top of the mango tree till us the early break of dawn and the later entail the shine of the day. The humming fastened as the sun rise up, hasten them to find foods.

As their song vanished, we too move for work. I observed number of their variety with different characters. One group tried to mingle with us and we call them Chinese bird though I do not know how it is being derived. Others are we call them Salayn, which they really are fond of playing on top of trees, up then down. I saw also few which only hum late in the afternoon and go after sunset.

It was weekend and I’m retiring from a long week. I satisfy my self by glancing at my garden, checking every discomfort they might have in my absence. I realize that some birds were still on top of the trees but not humming nor conversing but too busy scrutinizing their poise. I was amused and I move further to the other side of my garden. For just a few of touch, I’m done with my early tasks in the garden. I have to leave and unwind for my computer passion. I past through the kitchen and prepare my breakfast and hot coffee. I prefer to have them in my bed room, when an unusual noise perpetrate. Our cat named Puti jumped and hid under my bed and the rest of the cats followed as they were hastily hopping to catch the later.  I have to come across and I uncover on the trouble. I am sure Puti has foods and want to have alone. But it is not the end, it might be a snake or a hazardous insects. It happened then that they bring inside a snake and play with it under my bed. Immediately, I secure my emergency lamp and find it out myself. Oh! A bird was squabbling and I hurried to save the bird. It was too late to take steps, because the bird was lifeless after withdrawing from the enemy. I feel cheerless, and decide to punish the captor but it was unwise.

After taking my breakfast, I went on my garden and imagine how did the bird was captured. It was impossible because the bird settled on top of the tree while the captor was mingling merrily with the other cats. I can imagine that the captive enters in the scene to catch worms upon my exit to the kitchen. The victim was not aware that its captor was looking for a delicious breakfast too. What was wrong on the move of the cat was his failure to think that I am there, willing and ready to feed them at a proper time. It is just bit uneasy to consider his patience in having a tasty breakfast. Perhaps, the cat considers his behavior to be a noble intention. He falls short on the distinctiveness of the bird. If he did, he must mind that the bird might be a mother or a father that looks for an appetizing breakfast of its family. I pity the family if they find it hard for the impossible return of their love one, not only for foods but for companionship. I can not bear to think the worries and hazards that my cat has for these poor victim. The captor seems like feasting when it catches the bird. It views like a strong soldier, a valiant soldier who won in battle. It assumes that catching birds for yummiest breakfast is the noblest act it did for the day.

The cat in this story was an animal that we can not enforce the law of the land because of his identity. But his noble purpose for a yummy breakfast hurt others feeling. But what if a man did the same? Would it be still be similar? The law of the Land and our God Almighty consider it as crime. It is entitled to the proper enforcement of the law. Maybe, a man who committed alike thinks comparably with a cat. He considers a crime like this to be a noble intention because of needs.  We can visualize a man who committed the same to be a hero among his family for providing the delectable breakfast in a day.  Could it be a happiness of others, thinking it to be sufferings for some? I wish man who yearns for a family’s appetizing meals will not adapt the initiatives of a cat.
 

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Some techniques and motivations have been exhausted almost in every field
of discipline. All parents and guardians exerted much effort to impose discipline. We leave nothing to uncertainties, for we are really entitled to directly implement them. But we are certain that to be effective, we must get them familiarize with why we did the same. In order for them to absorb our real intention, we must prepare them to understand each of our tasks, and the key is education.

If ever we understand how education plays an important role on ones life, regardless of degrees and profession, we can easily refine each of our child’s discipline. Education is defined as “ the knowledge or skill obtained or developed by a learning process”, or “a program of interaction of a specified kind or field, may be a driver education or college education”. (google.com, June 13, 2008). We understand it to be an “upbringing or Tarbiyah in Arabic . Some hindrances on education vary according to each of our environment, especially on ones locality.

In our locality, parents sometimes failed to impose because of financial incapacity and trust on being educated. Majority of us survive through small-scaled farming where in the income is not even enough for the entire family’s daily survival. It’s a hand to mouth survival that requires every day effort. Base on other observations, this happens because of very limited knowledge in expanding their livelihood into better one. If they are exposed in a certain field, they can improve such to support their living. What they harvest was very satisfactory, yet they fall short in the other means of having an extra income out of their effort. They lack the skill to drive on to their advancement.

Furthermore, the above paragraph made each parent stagnant, requiring young to support them. It is the young that can find ways to progress their economic status. The young can have means to uncover related area that improve a living. But if the young failed to discover, the parent remain the same, together with their offspring. The only means of improving is through proper education of the young. If ever they endure, there is better chance for advancement. To be specific on this issue, the trading and marketing of every farmer will progress. Generally, it is the middle business men who pay more than the farmer, because of very limited knowledge on trade and market of products. Where as if the young will be equip in such area, the income will booster. They can trade and market directly through proper channel. They will get better in trading and marketing products because the young can assist them technically.

Therefore, equipping the young with enough skills, will keep them busy in their different areas, imposing discipline becomes handy. Imparting much of it is minimize, for they already practice what is require of them as an expert on their field of specialization. If the parents will encourage them to till soil, instead of educating them, the agony will linger from generation to generation. An inch of land cultivated is not enough to prepare them and compete with others. This society is congested that they cannot find where to mark. Though tilling soil entail spacing and curve but instills interval and timing. This is not to discourage farming as a skill, but proper knowledge must be observed. Digging and cultivating are not enough. Let us educate them, for it is the key for discipline, and what we impart can be within, rather than for a strict compliance.

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THE CRY OF THE CHILD IS
NOW THE CRY OF THE NATIVE

Dedicated to the people in the ARMM

I am the Native of this Land, I am he who has the right to reap  its  fruits,  and to select my Leader.

I am he who dreams to see this land Beautiful. I am he who shall take the green of its pastures, the Mine on its surface, the might of its rivers.  

I am he who fashions them with my hands, my heart, my mind. I am he who struggles to transform them into life and power, to reach the star of my dream.

I am he who defends this land from foreign invasion. I am he who donates blood to regain its sovereignty.

I am he who suffers every time the bullets sprayed on its surface. I am he who has the courage and passion to build this land until the world shall know my strength. 

I am he who hears the cry of my people, longing for dignity which you have expelled from them. I am but I am a citizen of the world with equal right to live on its surface. I am a  dreamer,  like  ordinary  human  whose  strength  depends  on  you.

This is my dream, your dream, our dream. So heed me, for  the  future  is  mine…
 

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Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao general elections are held  for its  regional governor, vice-governor and  members of the  Regional Legislative Assembly on August 11, 2008.

 Some candidates who are politicians are ready to take the leadership by all means.  They buy their way to power through “vote buying.”

 Vote buying in its literal sense is perceived as a simple economic exchange. Candidates “buy” and citizens “sell” votes, as they buy and sell apples, shoes,  or radio sets.  The act of vote buying by their outlook is a contract  in which votes sell their votes to the uppermost bidder.

In the Philippines in general, electoral process actually entails time, money and supporters.  This situation develops certain attitude among the people in selecting their leaders.  For example, some do not vote unless they are given gifts, bonuses and money; others are no longer interested to cast their votes for they know that candidates who resort to bribery and coercion can obtain more votes and may be subsequently elected to office.  Until finally, the electoral process lost its value to most people.

In other words, elections have been ridden with violence and massive frauds.      Some politicians used to bargain, persuade, coerce, bribe, buy and manipulate votes. led to conflicts, disputes, and killings in their respective  areas.

More chances are always given to those candidates  who have means and resources. Who are these people? Some believe that they are mostly traditional politicians or a new politicians who used to adopt the political strategies of the former. They wish to wield  power by occupying key positions in the government using their  means and resources to buy their way to power.

Thus, politicians from any sector of a society can hardly  win in an election if they are poor and do not have the resources. This is quite true because political  ever-spending during poll campaign has become a norm in the electoral process and laws are not enough to check it.

This observation shows the importance of money and other resources for politicians are buying their way to power.  The new breed honest politicians, who are not rich, encounter difficulties in assuming leadership in the political scene.

The continuity of this problem in the election has triggered numerous problems causing the county’s stagnation.  For instance, for the period of more than 50 years in Lanao Sur and Marawi City , the people’s need for socio-economic and political development have not been realized.  This situation has greatly motivated concerned people to actively participate in the electoral process.

Therefore, it is about time for concerned and honest leaders and intellectuals to make electoral reforms because if politicians buy their way to power, they are expected to recover their expenses through graft.  There is indeed a need to formulate  strategy for voters education in view of the ARMM election.

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The culture of deception is the handiwork of the evil as emphasized by many religious scholars. The sign of this deception is already at hand in almost  every part of the world.

Its detection or symptom according to some theorists is when a man tries to conceal the truth, or favor the story of the wicked man. When this happened,  man forfeits his noble mission on earth to sow the seeds of righteousness and reduced him to a grazing animal, the lowest among the low. Why human beings are so heedless to overcome this evil deed?

The culture of deception is really spreading fast in almost every corner of the world, outnumbering the remaining righteous mammals on earth.  This become the tool of every man to get him on top like the politicians who never won in any race but they are always in power through deception. 

This culture of deception or evil handiwork has gone too deep in our present time, that penetrates even the deepest primordial instinct of the learned men in the society, local or abroad, as we now begun to experience the discomfort ride of  this 21st century, where the poor increase their number and become heedless, while the rich continue to hoard selfishly, and even prepares to purchase million dollar tickets to the moon rather than to give few pennies to the needy. This is really happening not illusion.

Man in his lost direction never eat his fellow man bodily, but he enjoys eating his fellow man’s property through deception. Other tribes never eat the flesh of the pork which is unlawful (haram in Islam) but he/she enjoys eating haram in other forms, like stealing, cheating or selling illegal merchandise.

Islam teaches mankind the highest dignity of man that will bring him to the highest strata of heaven, like the history of the prophets in the past that their legacies and excellent behavior never die until the end of this world. But why Islam is now being perceived in other parts of the world or even in this country as a religion of terrorism? This is again deception to cover up the truth.  Whoever perpetrate this act of terrorism forfeits his right to be called as Muslims. Terrorism is condemn in Islam in a strongest word. Is it not a crime to address a man opposite to his noble mission?

The danger of this 21st century is the virtual increase of the hypocrites whose mouth speak thousands of goodness but behind those sweet-talk is deception or motive unworthy, blurring the path of righteousness that causes confusion to humanity as evidence of the fact confronted by all humans in this crucial moment.

Many men today overshadow their sense of logic against their ego, in exchange of the life of the next world which is everlasting. The truth stands out distinctively against wrong known by many but practiced by few. So deception is rampant all over the face of the earth. Just be ready and hold on firmly for the discomfort ride of this 21st century.  Remember that in every adversity that comes, God brought with it the seeds of an equivalent advantage for the good men to survive. 
 

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There are questions that must be addressed after the release of Prof. Nur Misuari from detention.  Among the questions is what safety mode  of Misuari he should act if he will not be given chance once again to run the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao? This ARMM actually is   the only legislated political instrument he can handle in order to implement the perceived un-implemented aspects of the Moro National Liberation Front and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines 1996 peace accord.

 The renewed call for the dormant Sabah claim is perceived to be the Misuari safety mode. If this is being pursued he might have an indirect back up by the GRP and on the other side, Malaysia might resort to strengthen its mutual cooperation and understanding with the GRP. The call therefore will take time to wait its outcome. On the part of Misuari, the call will moderate his pending rebellion charges despite of its adverse effect on the Muslim Filipinos in Sabah .

 Mesuari after his release was expected to lead a unified Moro National Liberation and to subsequently run the ARMM after his election once again as Regional Governor.

 The purpose of tripartite meetings of the MNLF, OIC and GRP representatives is to determine aspects of the 1996 peace accord which were not implemented and those were not included in the RA 9054, the expanded autonomy of the present ARMM,  with the hope to amend the said Act  in order to meet the demands of the MNLF. 

 However, Khaled Musa, deputy chairman of the MILF committee on information, told Luwaran that the renewed call for the Sabah claim now by Misuari, in tandem with the Sultanate of Sulu, is an issue too hot to handle and could boomerang to his leadership. 

 Musa identified two possible impressions created which can be adverse to the personality of the newly freed MNLF leader: 1) It would appear that bringing up the issue once again is an act of vengeance or retaliation to the Malaysians for turning him over to the Philippines after he defected to Sabah after a failed “rebellion” in 2001; and 2) It would create the impression that he is out on a “demolition job” related to the GRP-MILF Peace Talks, which Malaysia facilitates since 2001.

 Brother Misuari may have all the best intentions in the renewed call for the Sabah claim, but if not handled cautiously could only benefit those who want the Muslims to quarrel among themselves,” Musa stressed.

 Sabah Progressive Party President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said Malaysia ’s National Security Council (NSC) should closely watch developments in the southern Philippines with the collapse of the Moro peace deal and release of former rebel leader Nur Misuari , Malaysia ’s Star reported.

 Misuari spoke before thousands of his followers in a peace congress in Davao City on May 23-24, ending his over an hour speech with challenge to Malaysia to bring the Sabah claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations’ justice arm located in The Hague , The Netherlands.

 Among those present when Misuari made the challenge in Davao City was Hadji Akmad Bayam, a former chief propagandist of the MNLF. Bayam noted that one of the claimants to the leadership of the Sultanate of Sulu, stood beside Misuari as he delivered his speech.

 "Misuari is considered among the rightful claimants (of Sabah ) as his great-great grandfather, Panglima Maha Besar of Sulu, led the contingent that protected the Sultan of Brunei, the great-great grandfather of the present Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah," said Bayam.

  Malaysia , said Bayam, has long been apprehensive the Misuari-led MNLF would forge an alliance with the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu for the Sabah claim. "This is now happening with Misuari at the center of the issue," he added.

 "The MILF criticism on the matter is unwarranted because the claim of sovereignty and proprie