Even for a Tausug-Muslim who is affiliated neither to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) nor the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), there is no fence-sitting in the pursuit of peace because its outcome is not only inclusive, but would last for generations.
Eighteen-year old Khalid (not his real name) believes that even for him, and other Filipino-Muslims who never handled a firearm, peace is desirable whatever your political or religious belief is.
“Kahit hindi naman ako kasama d’yan sa MI (MILF) at MN (MNLF), sir, gusto ko pa rin
When I asked why, it took few heartbeats for him to finally reply “wala naman kasi dapat na iba pa, sir, ‘di ba, dapat kapayapaan lang, yon din sinasabi ko sa mga kabigan ko.”
Vague definition, but if anything, the 18-year old lad should be the last one to serve as a “spokesperson” for the government which for all practical purposes was the reason why he is at
Khalid was among the 11 minors being held at SICA 2 (Special Intensive Care Area) for their alleged involvement in the Zamboanga Siege, a year and a day ago.
Already, his case is being handled by a lawyer from the Public Attorney’s Office, and he is confident that eventually he would be able to prove his innocence.
With the help of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and a non-government organization, documents are being slowly secured from Zamboanga which can prove his status as a civilian.
Asked for the treatment he was receiving at the Bagong Diwa, he replied “ok naman po, may mga tumutulong naman,” adding that the only misgiving is that he was forced to halt his livelihood for a year now. Khalid sells food and beverages at the port in Zamboanga.
Born in Cagayan de Oro, Khalid’s family moved to Zamboanga after his father died when he was only two years old. He is the youngest in the brood of three.
Unfortunately, raising three children alone proved too much for Khalid’s mother, and few years after settling in Zamboanga, his mother finally left them to fend for their own. He was raised by a family friend whom he calls as his "lola."
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday submitted to Congress the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law.
As envisioned, the Bangsamoro Government shall be secular and democratic, a government of all, even as it establishes institutions, programs and policies that would serve the needs and uphold the ways of life of its majority Muslim population.
“The basic rights of all inhabitants shall be guaranteed, and special rights accorded all indigenous peoples, women, children, and minorities shall be respected and promoted,” according to GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer.
The United Nations, in a statement, expressed its positive reaction on the submission to the President of the Philippines of the Consensus Draft on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
“This is a critical milestone in the implementation of the CAB, and a crucial achievement in ensuring lasting peace and sustainable development in Maindanao and in the wider Philippines,” the statement said.
According to UN, “we celebrate this remarkable achievement and are proud to have accompanied both sides on this journey.”
For Khalid and his friends, the principles articulated in the Bangsamoro Basic Law might be difficult to grasp, but the benefits are easier to be appreciated.
“Majority of my friends are actually Christians, but we never talked about our differences in the faith,” Khalid said in the vernacular, adding that “all we wanted are livelihoods for our families.”
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=682725
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