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By Butch Bagabuyo

“A skilled warrior moves his opponent; he does not allow his opponent to move him. Against a skilled attacker, the enemy does not know where to defend. Against a skilled defender, the enemy does not know where to attack. When we seem formless and invisible, we become the arbiter of the enemy’s fate…”––Sun Tzu

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IN war, just like politics, he who occupies the battlefield first normally waits the enemy at ease. This same principle was applied by the students, and the ordinary folks of Hong Kong a few months back, and in the United States just days ago. Both in Hong Kong and in the US, the battlefields were the commercial districts.

Sadly, for almost a century now since democracy came to our country in 1935, and 28 years since the restoration of Philippine democracy, we, Mindanaoans, have allowed ourselves to be perpetually bullied and abused by imperial Manila. We are not masochists but even a sleeping giant is powerless.

So “it’s now or never” for our dream to come true.

In the US as well as in our very own shores of paradise-like islands of Mindanao-Basilan-Sulu-Palawan-Tawi-Tawi, our cry is both for equality, the essence of democracy, if you ask me. But the big difference is that the US has already a minority President in Barack Obama while we have none. And today, they are clamoring for equality in their judicial system. In the case of that black teenager, Michael Brown, in Ferguson, despite the use of excessive force or, as others call it, “police brutality,” the jury did not indict the white policeman. But of late, the clear (as seen on video) use of excessive force by a team of NYPD with one of them applying a chokehold (blocking the air pipe on a person’s throat) thus killing instantaneously the six-foot Black American, Eric Garner, brought instantaneous outrage across the powerful US.

The reason why there was immediate response and still ongoing outrage from the citizenry is because of the advancement of technology: TV, Internet, social media like blogs, Facebook, Tweeter, etc. However, take note that technology notwithstanding, warm bodies are the compelling reason for action.

What is sad and pathetic for us, Mindanaoans, is, we are not the minority. We come from the second largest island in the Philippine archipelago. And we are the foodbasket of the country, not to mention the great abundance in both natural and mineral resources.

But as I keep on repeating for all to know, out of the 15 elected Presidents, nine came from imperial Manila, three from the proud Visayans, and none from Mindanao. It would have been all right if our country progressed. But the opposite is true. If you will recall, our Philippines used to be one of those on the top in Asia but now, we are only top as far as graft and corruption and cowardly killings of journalists, progressive lawyers and NGO workers for humanity and the alleviation of the poor.

Because we, the poor Mindanaoans, cannot expect substantial help from the trapos and the filthy rich at this time because of greed, we just have to help ourselves. After all, more often than not the poor are the generous givers. Remember that poor widow in the Bible?

Believe you me, with commitment and character put together, May 9, 2016 is ours for the taking. Of course, we cannot afford the luxury of negative thoughts but only in Divine providence coupled with focus and persistence. Further, there is not a single successful person in the world who has reached the pinnacle of his dream without sweat, tears and even blood. Hence, poor as we are, with me as your messenger, reminding all that only the poor helping ourselves matter. After all, there’s “No gain without pain” and “No guts, no glory” Ergo, “It’s now or never.”

Sobra ka na, imperial Manila. Sa Mindanao na ta!

(Call or text 09188030197 or e-mail to bagabuyos@yahoo.com. Check out iluvmindanao.wordpress.com/butchbags.pad.com)

 

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