I believe in ones right to independence. I believe that each of us, as Filipinos, has a right to be free.

In his writing, Ishak V. Mastura cited various facts and evidences which were very effective in convincing me that the Moros were deprived of their right to freedom. Yet what is freedom? Freedom to me is being able to leave my home every morning without the fear of being gunned down. Freedom to me is simply being allowed to live in this society unshackled. Maybe I am wrong in my belief, but I am just a child and have not lived in the shoe of a Bangsamoro. It is a sad reality that our government has abused the resources of Mindanao. Mindanao is so abundant in resources yet it is so poor. It is our countrys greatest source of electricity nonetheless it doesnt benefit from its own resource. Despite these, I believe that the Philippine government has offered peace talks and offerings of assistance time and time again to Mindanao. I believe that there can be no national unity because Mindanao refuses to be peacefully associated with the national government. Instead of trying to prove that it is capable of self-governance, it is creating the opposite impression. Instead of gaining good attention, it is frightening its fellow Filipinos with terrorism. Thus it is stereotyped. We are one country. I believe we shouldnt classify ourselves into what specific race we stemmed from, or whether we were able to prevent our area from being colonized in the past. Because at the end of the day, we are still Filipinos, with the blood of Filipinos, living in the land of Filipinos. Luzon and Visayas were colonized. Nothing I say can ever change this fact, but I believe they were left with no choice. They fought, yet they failed. Here is a simple thought that left me thinking If I see my family member killed and my home burned down, would I still fight at the risk of losing everything I have left? And for what prize keeping a pure identity? If all these happened to me, rather, let me give a more specific citation If a Spaniard came up to my door with a sword and asked me to submit, I would willingly kneel in submission rather than see him enter my home and slaughter the people I love. I wouldnt dare sacrifice the lives of humans for my own dignity, not even for my own identity. And then again, this is only in my point of view and many might see me as a coward, but I would rather risk everything I have in this world for the people I love rather than sacrifice their lives or mere comfort for the preservation of my identity. It was wrong for the Spaniards to sell Mindanao alongside Luzon and Visayas when it didnt belong to them in the first place. But as I have said earlier, we are one. Allow me to expound by giving another citation. If live fire was consuming my home, I wouldnt save myself and leave my family to burn. I would rather join them. Not that I would especially want to burn in live fire, but what I am saying is that as a family, whatever happens, this holds true all for one and one for all. My views may not be supportive of the legality of the situation, but my knowledge is limited and my beliefs different. So forgive me for my incessant disagreements. Do not get me wrong. I do not disagree with the whole of Mr. Mastura writing. In point of fact, I agree that the Bangsamoro children, women, and old men, do not deserve to be caught in the crossfire, nor do they deserve to be the fatalities and casualties of war. I agree that peace does not immediately translate into economic development. And that no amount of economic development would ever give the Bangsamoro what is theirs by right. I look up to Mr. Mastura for reminding me of the history of the Moros, for it made me admire their courage. Again do not get me wrong, for I just had more to say for conceptions which struck me as a difference of opinions. My declared sentiments may be nave misconceptions, but I am open-minded. My views may be strong, but they are not settled.
Glea Vanessa D. Pavillar BSPT 2B