Will there ever be peace in Mindanao?

Here we go again. Two steps forward, one step back. A big step back. Armed supporters of the Nur Misuari faction of the MNLF started entering Zamboanga City Sunday evening. Some came by passenger boat, some by bus. As they roamed the province, they start "gathering" people and used them as human shields in order to prevent soldiers from shooting at them. They treated them well though, even fed them. But would you want to be in their position, fed and all? No, right? I don't see how that can be humane at all. So of course they encounter soldiers, who according to the AFP, have been monitoring their movements for the past three days. A firefight ensues, and the whole area becomes once again an urban battlefield. As of this writing, the rebels hold a considerable number of civilians hostage. I really don't care if they are treated well, or not, if they are being held against their will, they are hostages. Currently, the situation is a standoff, with the AFP containing the area to prevent the situation from escalating and spilling on to nearby areas, and more importantly, to prevent reinforcements to the rebels.

Apparently, the rebels wanted to march "peacefully, but armed" into City Hall and raise their flag. Nur Misuari declared independence some months ago, a move the Palace did not give any significance to. The MNLF forged a peace agreement in 1996. Since then, three factions have evolved from the former rebel group, all with their respective ideas on governance and autonomy or even independence. According to the MNLF, the peace agreement was not fully implemented. And over the years amid changes in administrations, they felt dismissed. At the same time, the government had another rebel group, the MILF, to contend with. And when a peace accord was forged in the Aquino administration, Misuari's feathers were apparently ruffled. He claims he wasn't consulted. He claims this and that, that's why he declares independence. So here we are.

I really don't think raising another flag on a sovereign country is wise. I really don't understand the propensity of rebels just showing up and claiming land. Sabah, Zamboanga, what's next? As if it were that easy, peaceful intentions or otherwise. As if the sovereign nation would just hand it over. We forge a peaceful agreement with one rebel group, creating history in doing so. Now, we have to contend with yet another group with whom we already have an agreement? If there are indeed shortcomings by the government in implementing the 1996 peace agreement, then why not enter into peaceful discussion? Why is a faction of the MNLF not supporting Misuari's actions, stating they will abide by the agreement? Is this merely the ego of one man bruised and battered? Are we to be under threat of armed conflict every time? Will there ever be peace in Mindanao?

Let me check my initial statement. Five steps back.