The MORO YUPPIE: The Emerging Non-Armed Force in Mindanao

Monday, 28 March 2011 01:21

Written by Aaron Benedict De Leon

For many years, and perhaps even decades, Mindanao and its inhabitants have been subject of many documentaries, thesis and even campaigns, and yet, we are still removed from the long sought peace and development we have aspired for this great land of promise. Despite efforts from the government, and the opposition to gain ground on peace efforts through consultations, dialogues and negotiations, the desirable outcomes have yet be reached or fulfilled, between both and all parties concerned.

We can all argue what the problem seems to be, or we can point the blame towards so many directions, but we are all in agreement that the work towards peace and development efforts should continue, and it should not just be Government and opposing networks who should work towards that, but most importantly, the inhabitants of Mindanao, particularly the youth must be active participants in the said process.

And while it seems that youth activism is at its strongest in the Metropolis, we have really not given so much premium on the efforts of our young Mindanaoans to their own localities, and their work to achieve lasting peace in their area. This is perhaps due to the nature of the issues they attend to, which is more local than national, or probably just a lack of attention to civil society entities located in the southern part of the archipelago.

But hope is not lost for our brothers and sisters in Mindanao.

Giving a new face of hope to youth activism in Mindanao, The Young Moro Professionals Network-Western Mindanao initiated a week-long celebration of the Bangsamoro Peace Week which began last March 18, 2011 at Zamboanga City.

According to Youth Philippines Zamboanga Provincial Director and YMPN-Western Mindanao Chairperson Amir Mawalil, this is the first time it was celebrated in Zamboanga, considering Chavacano’s and other Zamboangenos’ aggressive stance on Moro issues.

Given the theme, “Revisiting the past, forging our future,” the celebration did not only seek to provide consciousness with the view of peace and development as its ultimate ends, but it also highlighted crucial issues like the Bangsamoro Struggle then and now, the role of women in the peace process and government collaboration with stakeholders on programs for the Bangsamoro.

It provided not only solutions and current efforts to the problem, but also historical information which leads to further understanding and clarity on the prevailing cultures and traditions in the region, with the aim of establishing respect for their norms and their identity overall.

In fact, the celebration highlighted the need for the Mindanao youth to take charge in the process of peace and development in the region. Fr. Angel C. Calvo, Lead Convenor of the Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace and Peace Advocates Zamboanga President, emphasized on Leadership, Entrepreneurship and use of Ethics as fundamental principles for the next generation’s Bangsamoro peace.

These principles seek to establish a moral, educational and business compass which would help the Bangsamoro youth lead modest yet productive lives.

The said celebration also honored the works of the youth and still encourages more youth to be actively involved in the many causes for peace and development of our communities.

POST-SCRIPT

Perhaps, due to the archipelagic and topographic characteristics of our country, the attention in as far as youth activism in the Philippines is concerned, is mainly concentrated more on the Metropolitan areas, rather than the countryside.

But with the advent of Social Networking, we believe that today’s world has been more inter-connected, communications wise. But much has it made the Philippines closer, it can also breed a sense of dependence in as far as pursuit of understanding about all ethnicities existing in the country is concerned.

We cannot be confined on information alone, and our efforts, as Filipino’s, should be geared more towards a collective attempt at understanding, protecting and upholding the rights and liberties of Filipino’s across the nation.

Issues need further clarity and explanation, and no amount of reading on the Mindanao issue can make us fully understand the situation within their own localities.
Coupled with understanding though, we must acknowledge the fact that there is an extent and limit as to how we can help them solve their problems. Sometimes, the best solution is to allow them to make mistakes and grow on their own.

As a youth leader, I have continuously emphasized the fact that solutions and strategies in a certain area must come from local stakeholders themselves, and the national or larger government should only intervene in cases where conflicts cannot be managed anymore.

In this case, the Young Moro Professionals Network has taken the initiative to work conscientiously towards achieving lasting peace and development in Mindanao. They have made harmonious dialogue a possibility between several sectors in society, with the presence of people in the academe, government, private sector, youth and women. They have instituted a mechanism where all sectors freely and openly discuss problems and facts, which they have full knowledge of, and from there, solutions will naturally be borne.
For lasting peace and development in Mindanao to succeed, National Government must only strategically intervene, and must concentrate its efforts towards increasing the presence of local and civil society leaders in peace talks with armed groups. Correct and Proportional representation in peace dialogues is essential in minimizing points of conflict, and arriving at an effective consensus.

I will not try to be an expert in as far as coming up with the most appropriate solutions for the problems in Mindanao, but nevertheless, I will continue to egg on our government and other civil society entities in Manila to pour on more support and help towards our local civil society entities based in Mindanao, like the Young Moro Professionals Network, so they can launch more projects and initiatives to achieve that long sought peace and development in Mindanao.

Let us not mask ourselves as saviours of our brothers and sisters and Mindanao, but let us help the current generation, especially the youth, to be equipped, both in mind and in heart, to become heroes for peace and development in their own land.

For now, we can all be at momentary peace, because the Youth has indeed emerged as the non-armed force of peace and development in Mindanao.

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites