People have a short memory. Actually, on February 4, 1974, Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front occupied Jolo and attacked the government’s military camp there. The Armed Forces launched a counter-attack and Misuari’s troops fled leaving the whole town in flames. After the battle, Misuari abandoned his soldiers and fled to Malaysia. As a result, more than 40,000 of his followers returned to the folds of the government because of the government’s policy of reconciliation. Not only was Malaysia then friendly to him, it was also the training ground of the MNLF troops. Now, the Malaysians are against him because he was pushing the Sultanate claim in Sabah in behalf of the Sultanate of Sulu.
It is good to put things in their proper prospective. Today, Nur Misuari is an outcast everywhere. No one wants him. Malaysia wants to deport him as soon as possible. Pres.ident Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on the other hand, has expressed the opinion that it would be best if he were first jailed in Malaysia for violation of that country’s security laws and illegal entry.
The good news is that yesterday, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that is now composed of six provinces – Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, with Lanao del Sur and Marawi City — held its first regular election. Among the persons elected will be Nur Misuari’s successor.
We must not let any portion of Mindanao degenerate into a miniature Afghanistan. Peace and order must be established there. Yesterday’s election was the first right step. Nur Misuari was never elected as governor. He was appointed such by the powers in Manila. Now, the people in Muslim Mindanao are choosing and electing their own leaders.
We hope that it will be only a matter of time when groups like the Abu Sayyaf, and remnant groups that still follow Nur Misuari become things of the past. We would very much like to see a progressive and prosperous Muslim Mindanao.