“Go slow and never presume!”
This is the unsolicited advice of the MILF to would-be-investors in the proposed Bangsamoro region. This region is not yet normal. Conflicting land claims are not absent in many of its parts. It is not wise to presume that when a company deals with powerful people, everything is fine and in order.
There are problems that are not seen in the open. It is the nature of human beings that when confronted with insurmountable odds they usually are dumb and deaf, but deep inside they have a revolting heart. In the end, they have their own special way to vent their anger and get justice on the process.
This is not in any way to drive away investors. This is for their protection and for the interests of everybody especially the meek, weak, and faint-hearted. In our previous editorial, we have forewarned companies to be careful in dealing with prospective partners who offer vast tract of lands for pineapple, banana, or palm oil plantations.
The truth is that, except those clearly and cleanly titled, lands in the Bangsamoro are classified as timberlands, alienable and disposable, those sold to the government under its program of “voluntary offer to sale”, and those in the category of the same scheme but most if not all the beneficiaries are fictitious. Usually in the last category, the original owner still holds on to these lands, which they sell willingly or otherwise to the powerful and moneyed --- who are usually armed --- at a very low price.
A case in point is Delinanas Banana Plantation in Datu Abdullah Sangki town in Maguindanao which mulls to close shop after serious security problems are hitting the company. Three weeks ago, unidentified gunmen ambushed a convoy of company officials, wounding the firm’s chief security officer. A week later, masked men, armed with assault rifles, cut hundreds of banana trees in the firm’s plantation.
At this juncture, let it be known as a matter of policy, foreign investments, as long as they are people and environment-friendly, are welcomed in the Bangsamoro. For whose these blessings (rich natural resources) if not for the people’s benefits and disposal? Without doubt, the Bangsamoro Government, once in place, will enter into agreements with investors whether domestic or foreign to tap the natural resources in this region. Initially, we can start preliminary matters but we wait for the Bangsamoro Government to be in place before formalities or actual work can commence.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/1408-go-slow-and-never-presume
This is not in any way to drive away investors. This is for their protection and for the interests of everybody especially the meek, weak, and faint-hearted. In our previous editorial, we have forewarned companies to be careful in dealing with prospective partners who offer vast tract of lands for pineapple, banana, or palm oil plantations.
The truth is that, except those clearly and cleanly titled, lands in the Bangsamoro are classified as timberlands, alienable and disposable, those sold to the government under its program of “voluntary offer to sale”, and those in the category of the same scheme but most if not all the beneficiaries are fictitious. Usually in the last category, the original owner still holds on to these lands, which they sell willingly or otherwise to the powerful and moneyed --- who are usually armed --- at a very low price.
A case in point is Delinanas Banana Plantation in Datu Abdullah Sangki town in Maguindanao which mulls to close shop after serious security problems are hitting the company. Three weeks ago, unidentified gunmen ambushed a convoy of company officials, wounding the firm’s chief security officer. A week later, masked men, armed with assault rifles, cut hundreds of banana trees in the firm’s plantation.
At this juncture, let it be known as a matter of policy, foreign investments, as long as they are people and environment-friendly, are welcomed in the Bangsamoro. For whose these blessings (rich natural resources) if not for the people’s benefits and disposal? Without doubt, the Bangsamoro Government, once in place, will enter into agreements with investors whether domestic or foreign to tap the natural resources in this region. Initially, we can start preliminary matters but we wait for the Bangsamoro Government to be in place before formalities or actual work can commence.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/1408-go-slow-and-never-presume
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