On the Sulu Question

Watching veteran journalists and colleagues Jim Jalbuena and Tanjunsay over at Pia Hontiveros show "Strictly Politics" over at ANC brings back old memories. Like Jalbuena, I was one of those who covered the Sipadan hostage crisis back in 2000. Jalbuena's accounts brought back memories of those fateful days when hard-core members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) kidnapped foreign vacationers off the Malaysian resort of Sipadan. That incident brought the ASG to the global centerstage of notoriety. The incident lead to a release of all the hostages, but not without paying the ASG some "board and lodgings", allegedly to the tune of 200 million pesos.

So many things happened after that, with some of the foreign hostages recounting their ordeal and even writing about it. Tales of rape, of abuse, of forced starvations, etc., stories which could have happened or could have been just inventions of fertile minds. What's certain though, the ASG lived to scout for other unsuspecting victims, thus started a spree of kidnappings and ransom-paying.

Some say the ASG institutionalized kidnapping in Sulu. They could have. However, kidnappings and abductions are not entirely new in that part of the world. Historically, Muslims kidnap Christians or "outsiders" but not for money. No. At the time of the Spanish rule over these islands, kidnappings were mostly religious or military in nature. Kidnappings were used as leverages especially at the height of wars or skirmishes between hostile forces.

Now, if you look at it, kidnappings have become cottage industries, with young armed groups like the ones who abducted Ces Drilon and her crew, joining the frenzy. Prior to Ces' kidnapping, a Chinese businessman was abducted there and released after paying ransom. Others were also victimized, and the local media did not report about them since these are not high-profile cases.

And you can't entirely blame them. Centuries of neglect and poverty have transformed Sulu from a bustling trading post to a desolate and poor island. Those born in that island faces a bleak future. No job. No life. No comfort. Just a daily struggle to survive.

Sulu is a beautiful gem floating in the tranquil seas. During the Spanish era, Sulu was the center of indigenous Islamic power, with Sayyid Abu Bakr establishing the Sulu Sultanate in 1450, whose power stretched over Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

Historically, Mindanao has been the hotbed of an Islamic insurgency. In 1596, the Spanish colonial government launched a pacification campaign, mobilizing 50 ships, 200 Spaniards and 1,500 Christianized Filipinos. It failed. Three years after, Maguindanao datus launched their retaliatory attack, reclaiming Muslim communities from the hands of the Spaniards and even brought back 800 captives to Mindanao.

In 1692, Sultan Kudarat, the supreme Islamic leader in Maguindanao, defeated a Spanish force and even captured its leader. Between 1656 to 1658, Sultan Kudarat led an Islamic army composed of Muslims from Sulu, Ternate, Brunei and Makassar. Succeeding raids in the Visayas forced the Spaniards to retreat in Manila. Sultan Kudarat nearly defeated the Spaniards where it not for the outbreak of civil war between Muslims of Maguindanao and Sulu.

Muslims continued attacks against communities in the Visayas and Luzon, but superior firepower repulsed them. Attacks continue well in the 19th century, where it not for the Americans who even invented the 45-caliber pistol to defeat the Muslims. The establishment of American sovereignty over Mindanao lead to the marginalization of Islamic power. Using superior military technology, the Americans successfully pacified the region and integrated it into the Philippine state.

The American policy of integration was the reason why Muslims stopped their raids against Christian communities in Centtral and Northern Philippines. The Americans respected the culture, traditions and religion of Muslims. They also gave opportunities to Muslim leaders to ascend the rungs of mainstream Philippine life. During the first Philippine Congress, we saw some representation from Mindanao-based Muslims.

The US government also allowed barter trade to flourish in the area, especially in the islands of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-tawi. That's why during those times, Sulu flourished and families there earned enough to sustain a comfortable life.

It was just during the time of strongman Ferdinand Marcos that Tausugs began to rise up against colonial Manila. Barter trade was disallowed and because of the pressures and "tributes" brought by the Lobregats in Zamboanga, trade shifted from Sulu to Zamboanga peninsula. Sulu rose up in revolt, leading to a decades-old war led by the MNLF.

Now, Sulu continues to struggle against the weight of extreme poverty. Many youngsters such as the ones who orchestrated this kidnapping caper, live a life of recklessness and violence. They were raised in a time of repression and economic disfranchisement. The Tausug youths of today live precariously, without hope and full of hatred against those who ruled Manila.

What they don't realize is this---the more they do these stupid things, the more they isolate themselves from the rest of the world. Sulu can't survive without outside help. It's an island. If they continue to isolate themselves, they risk further economic stagnation and poverty.

Government and other groups, especially the United States, should cooperate and assist Suluanons. Give them some development. Give Tausugs some jobs. That way, they will reject the un-Islamic practice of kidnappings and abductions. And hopefully, we will see the complete defeat of the Abu Sayyaf Group in that part of the world.