Terror cannot deter region’s push for hope
- Voters have backed a plan to create a self-governing area in Muslim-majority parts of Mindanao, the Philippines’ least-developed region
- The promise of peace for the region and the unleashing of its potential are good reasons for Filipinos to reject those bent on terrorism
Extremists rejecting change are believed to be behind the bombing of a Catholic Church on the southern Philippine island of Jolo that killed at least 21 people, and for a separate grenade attack on a mosque in Zamboanga days later that left two worshippers dead.
The suspects are thought to be opposed to plans for creation of a self-governing area in Muslim-majority parts of Mindanao, the country’s poorest and least-developed region.
Voters overwhelmingly backed the idea and there will be a second plebiscite in a smaller zone on February 6. With peace, stability and prosperity promised, naysayers and terrorists have little chance of altering the course of events.
President Rodrigo Duterte blamed suicide bombers from extremist group Abu Sayyaf for the church attack. Believed to be linked to Islamic State, the group has been behind a string of bombings, kidnappings and acts of piracy that have financially benefited its fighters.
It is only one of a number of groups involved in conflict in Mindanao that has killed at least 120,000 people since the 1970s.
Government neglect and instability has scared off investors, leaving the region with poor infrastructure, insufficient numbers of schools and high rates of poverty and unemployment.
The vote was the culmination of a long-sought peace process by successive governments with the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Duterte, who is from Mindanao, is pushing the effort to create a self-governing area called Bangsamoro that would extend and expand an existing autonomous zone widely viewed as ineffective.
With promises of strong funding, the hope is that self-rule will enable construction of infrastructure that will lead to development of agriculture, industry and mining.
Jobs will ease the poverty that affects more than half of Mindanao’s population, and in turn bring stability and greater investment.
Peace and stability for Mindanao and unleashing its potential is in the interests of not only the Philippines, but also of China and other nations with the expertise and resources to help the region further develop and grow.
Such promise will take time to materialise, but it is a good reason for Filipinos to reject extremism and fight against those bent on terrorism.
