Opinion: New rebel groups in Mindanao

Opinion piece in the Manila Times (Jul 1, 2021): New rebel groups in Mindanao (By Ruben D. Torres)

IN my column last Friday, I wrote about the seemingly unending quest for peace in Mindanao. I wrote in part:

"Compounding the problems that threaten the fragile peace in Mindanao is the alleged dissatisfaction of a significant number of MILF combatants who feel that they have not benefited from the peace agreement."

Last Monday, Commander Jordan Salibo Tayuan sent me a letter to say that another rebel group is gaining adherents from the dissatisfied elements in both the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Jordan is in command of the 8th Infantry Division of the MNLF. Although he claims he still recognizes the leadership of Chairman Nur Misuari, it is becoming clear that his division is organizing and operating independently from the MNLF central command.

Only a few months after the peace agreement was signed by the government and the MNLF in 1996, I learned that some combatants were disillusioned and, in fact, had left this Muslim rebel organization. Those who did not accept the peace agreement and those who did not approve of Misuari running for governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or ARMM, bolted out of the MNLF and joined the MILF.

With the disgruntled former MNLF and MILF combatants, Jordan now claims more than 12,000 followers in Sulu and Central Mindanao. He claims that there are still others wanting to join. Understandably, he did not mention in his letter how many and what kind of weapons his group now has. I have no independent verification of Jordan's claims even as I know of Jordan's organizing abilities.

In 2017, I met Jordan in Kuala Lumpur where I was attending the Asean Trade Union Council meeting. Over coffee, he told me some of his disagreements with MNLF Chairman Misuari but gave no hint that he was organizing a breakaway group. It is only in his letter to me this week that Jordan admitted that he is now leading an organization that is separate from both the MNLF and the MILF. Yet, he is still using the title "Commander of the 8th Infantry Division of the MNLF."

I am unaware of the name of his organization or its ideology. So far, he has not come out with any political agenda. He is, however, much concerned with the "violence being perpetrated by armed groups like the Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Islamic State, which are getting support from other countries."

Commander Jordan gives an indication of his crusade against corruption and I quote: "Some politicians are just hungry for power and practice the culture of corruption that drains government coffers intended for development and livelihood of the hapless and marginalized sectors of society."

If it is of some solace, Jordan said in his letter that "our fervent hope [is] that our country will be in complete peace, harmony and prosperity"... and he "urges the government to come out with a comprehensive solution to the protracted conflict to bring all remaining remnants of all separatist groups."

He added, "My men in the 8th MNLF Infantry Division desire very much to attain peace and emphasize to them the beauty of living in a society free from fear of violence and persuade them with their families in peace and economic prosperity."

I salute Commander Jordan for advocating in a troubled region "peace, harmony and prosperity." Some may say that it is an anachronism for a commander of an infantry division of a rebel army to talk about peace, harmony and economic prosperity. It is not. Even rebels who are fighting for lofty ideals get tired of war.

The first time I met with the rebel leader Chairman Nur Misuari at the Davao Insular Hotel in September 1995 after more than 20 years of not having seen each other, I noticed he had rashes all over his face and arms. I asked him what caused the rashes. He told me he had traveled all the way from Sabah, Malaysia aboard his kumpit and his rashes were the result of getting wet by sea water and then the sun drying the skin. To meet me, he had traveled for more than two weeks crossing the Sulu Sea. I told him that being a rebel, one not only has to contend with the police and military but with nature as well. He agreed with me but added that at times nature can be crueler.

Misuari asked me if, having been a rebel myself, I had endured much hardship. Yes, I said, but compared to your more than 20 years of rebel life, mine was a just a small fraction. I was a rebel for only a few years, being the victim of the false prophecies of Karl Marx and Lenin, while he was fighting for justice for his people.

I recall the words of the wife of Nur Misuari, Loida, whom I met at that 1995 meeting. "You know, Ruben, we are tired of this more than 20 years of war." Her words gave me hope that the peace negotiations would be successful. Not only because a rebel's life is extremely difficult but because even rebels know that "every war must end in peace."

[Ruben Torres was labor secretary in the Corazon Aquino administration and executive secretary to former president Fidel Ramos. At present, he is the general secretary of the Asean Trade Union Council. His email address is labormattersph@gmail.com. Follow him @RubenDTorres4.]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/07/02/opinion/columns/new-rebel-groups-in-mindanao/1805371