Modern Political Issues in the Philippines free essay sample

Does MNLF headed by Nur Misuari has a right of title over areas of Mindanao. Moro National Liberation Front or MNLF be it under Misuari or other leader has no right over any part of Mindanao legally speaking. Muslim Mindanao had always been undisputed in any head on battle or war in history. From their pre-colonial autonomy up to the present incessant rebellion against the national government, they are always marked by triumph and non-withering spirit. They tactfully and secretly wished for independence but not to the extent of jeopardizing the nation. However, the Jabidah Massacre slapped the abhorrent and painful issues kept inside the hearts and minds of our Muslim brethren. Deep inside, they are rebelling for being discriminated, marginalized, and forsaken. Then Nur Misuari or Chairman Nur united them under Moro National Liberation Front in the aim of getting the national government to listen and listen intently. After a widespread bloodshed, both sides took a halt and decided to bring the issues squarely on one table. We will write a custom essay sample on Modern Political Issues in the Philippines or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It was one of the longest talks literally because it was done first in Malaysia, then in Turkey, and finally in Libya. Hence, the Tripoli Agreement. The Tripoli Agreement was basically a mutually agreed Yes’ and No’s of both parties. It ordered for a detailed autonomous act to be legislated by the Congress. When it was signed in Manila, the war was officially over. As the national government’s dedication to peace and accountability, the Congress did enact RA 6734 (An Act Providing for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and RA 9054 (An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) as an amendment to the latter. ARMM then became a fully and legally functioning regional government. All was well except for the fact that there had been another uprising from a splinter group of MNLF which is the more aggressive Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). They wanted more so they said, but Chairman Nur argued that MILF is but another intrusion from the imperial police government of Malaysia. Whatever and whoever is behind this movement, it doesn’t change the fact that it claimed more lives and hindered progress especially in the island of Mindanao. So the national government faced another toll and after years of fighting, they are back around that table again. This time, in Malaysia and this time, without MNLF. Now that the Framework Agreement is nearing completion, MNLF felt betrayed and legally violated by this peace process. They waged another war even though the government talked with them again and this time the venue is Indonesia. I believe that MNLF has no legal right over any part of Mindanao. There had been no clause or section in the Organic Act for ARMM mentioning that. However, it could be deduced that the government committed a fatal error befriending MILF and alienating the other. This could be another history repetition. Who knows what arm uprising would be organized again and under what name. Peace in this island will never be achieved if the national government does not change its perspective. Muslims here in Mindanao have different ethnicities and clans. They are united by one thing, their faith, but they are divided by hundred other issues. Never alienate anyone. Finally, this may sound a little over the top, but it’s high time we confront the issue of foreign intervention in our national affairs. It would be very comical having to find out that we are actually settling our brotherly disputes in a bully’s yard. 2. Does Philippines have rightful ownership over Sabah? Cite legal and Historical Basis. Philippines is the rightful owner of North Borneo. Historical Perspective: North Borneo was originally owned by the sultan of Brunei. In 1700’s, there was rebellion in the country and the Sultan of Sulu helped him by sending his soldiers. As token of gratitude and as a tradition, he gave a chunk of his property to the Sultan of Sulu. This was divided into two and the other chunk was given to another sultan who sold it to a Dutch businessman and is presently owned by Indonesia. The remaining lot is the one we call Sabah under the Malaysian government. This was leased or â€Å"padyak† to a British businessman who established British North Borneo Company in 1878. Right after the country was declared independent after Japanese colonization, the United Kingdom claimed Sabah as part of the Crown colony from being a Protectorate. In the 1960’s, during the presidency of Pres. Diosdado Macapagal, the sultan of Sulu transferred the sovereignty of North Borneo to the National Government fearing that United Kingdom will hand over the Sabah right to the newly independent nation of Malaysia. The rest is history as they say although it is surely clear that Philippines owns Sabah or North Borneo so to speak. Legal Basis: There is a little doubt for me on our ownership’s legality. If we are going to cite the historical evidence of our ownership, there would be no question at all. It had been talked about over the news after the Lahad Datu standoff and was reported that after Pres. Diosdado Macapagal fought our right over Sabah, the claim went status quo. However, there is another side of the story missing. United Kingdom made a move over this dispute; they went to ask residents of Sabah to decide whether to be part of Malaysia or the Philippines. The result was a little inaccurate and that was the time when the United Nations stepped in. UN and ICJ have this modern approach in settling territorial disputes. Historical basis are not given so much weight because almost every side will provide authentic document supporting their claim: Philippines giving documents saying that we only leased it and Malaysia saying that padyak means selling and the payment made even until today is just a part of what had been agreed during the negotiations that the heirs will be given royalty fee or that sort. In the spirit of democracy and/or majority rule, another plebiscite was held and the locals decided to embrace Malaysian government. This was the reason why we did not include Sabah in our territory even when we transitioned to the 1987 Constitution. The Sultanate of Sulu is firm on their stand that Sabah should be given back to us. They said that the Lahad Datu incident was a mere protest on the Malaysian government abuse to the locals of Sabah who originated from Southern Philippines. This time they are sure that we will win given another plebiscite. However, Malaysia is not compromising and is not willing for another talk. Who would want to if what is at risk is a parcel of land contributing 23 percent of your GNP. As for me, the alarming thing brought about by this dilemma is how the Philippine government is addressing it. The administration is showing its teeth to the sultanate just to tell the international community that we can handle our national issues and that we have this internal stability. â€Å"Palagi na lang tayong tuta ng ibang bansa; kailan pa tayo magigising aso? † (Princess Jaycel Kiram). 3. Why UN through US interested in nuclear weapons of North Korea? The United Nation will always knock on any nation’s door to make sure that the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons or Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is adhered to. This has been in effect since 1970 and signed by 190 countries except for India, Israel, Pakistan, and South Sudan. North Korea acceded to NPT although it was reported that it never complied to it. This stubborn communist country has taken an on-and-off pledge for the nuclear disarmament. However, there had been serious report that they are trying to miniaturize nuclear bombs to fit into a missile and to change their use of plutonium to the untested and feared uranium. These bold moves are causing unrest to its neighboring countries especially South Korea and the whole world in general. One missile launch would create a massive havoc and devastation that would render most of the countries defenseless (not unless your country is a closet nuclear developer). That would be reason enough for the whole global community to fret and be aggressive.