HOPE

October 2013

theZamboanga Issue«

2 Unity in Suffering We should all look at it as a learning

experience. by A. Acero, J. Amador, L. Diy, K. Go, & D. Ongtenco

5 Points of View (Editorials)

Suggestions to rebuild the nation from the authors.

by A. Acero, J. Amador, L. Diy, K. Go, & D. Ongtenco

6 An Overview What is needed to prevent another crisis. by J. Amador

8 Rebuilding People can do many different things in

many different ways.

by A. Acero

8 What Can be Done We can all do something.

by K. Go

9 Mentally, Socially, Physically Every Filipino has a role.

by D. Ongtenco

10 The Foundation for a Better Future

Only one thing is truly needed.

by L. Diy

HOPE1 « 1 October 2013

Zamboanga City

Cover ArtThis photo is the authors’ representation of hope, as it is free, like the people in Zamboanga hope to be once again after the occupation of the MNLF. In addition, as airplanes soar high, so do the Zamboangueños wish they would soon, to return to a state of success and prosperity.‘Above’ photo (cover art) and ‘Light’ photo (Points of View page) by Luis Diy.

EMAIL jvlamador17@xs.edu.ph | lsrdiy17@xs.edu.phTWITTER @9A2014WRITE 9A Group 7, Xavier High School, 64 Xavier Street, San Juan City, Metro Manila 1502

by Arnolfo Acero,

John Amador,

Luis Diy,

Karl Go, and

David Ongtenco

The Zamboanga City Crisis came as a huge surprise to everyone as it seemed that the government was figuratively inches away from securing peace in the war-torn regions of Mindanao. The crisis proved to be a test for the Philippine government and the people, just like the hostage situation in Luneta a few years back. And, though the government handled the conflict better than the aforementioned one, though it is over, we still have a long way to go.

Throughout the crisis, the govern-ment showed discord as there were conflicting statements coming from politicians, for example how President Aquino wanted swift action done while Vice President Binay wanted to sit down with the rebels for peace talks. It is almost as if they do not meet each other to talk

and decide about the various situations. This lack of communication between the various government officials is a huge risk as this may lead to more confusion

amidst the various problems that needs to be solved. Moreover, this showed how the government needs to act swiftly and decisively, as if they finished the peace negotiations, maybe this whole crisis might have been averted. Furthermore, this decisiveness was lacking during the crisis as the government, as stated earlier,

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And, though the government handled the conflict better now, we still have a long way to go.

was confused or some say conflicted on what they should do due to various politicians just saying their own ideas instead of having a consensus. This crisis also showed how the government is not being taken seriously as it was even the unofficial or splinter group of the Moro Nationalistic Liberation Front (MNLF) that

revolted, not even the official group. Had the government finished the deal sooner maybe all of this could have been avoided. However, what is done is done, and instead of looking at this event as a failure, we should all look at it as a learn-ing experience.

Zamboanga had become a staging ground for a standoff between the army and rebels.

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This fighting in the historical city has resulted in the displacement of many people, including Badjaos, an ethnic group native to the region. Though a considerable number of the Badjaos have fled, some were left, living in tents outside the evacuation centers along the main streets. Not only for them is life hard, but for all confined in the centers; this ethnic group in particular, however, has shown not to be entirely dependent on the provisions of the centers. Their steadfastness at times of crisis is revealed and highlighted in times like this.

Throughout the course of the conflict, as the citizens of the affected areas have been forced to move to evacuation centers to wait it out, barangays have suspended classes for fear of violence in the schools, as it has been reported that some students have been held hostage by the MNLF.

Although it was reported by Secretary Ramon Jimenez that tourism did not suffer from the Zamboanga

conflict, many local businesses were shut down, leaving families dependent on those businesses helpless. Also, for the stores and shops that have remained in business, the price of some goods have risen greatly. This, however, reportedly did not have a significant impact on the

economy of the country as a whole, as the island of Mindanao only contributes less a fifth of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Until now, even after the conflict has ended, the residents' fear is ap-parent, traumatized by the painful experience; they are shaken. Until now, they are being rehabilitated, with the aim to develop the family, the fundamental societal unit, through the cook-your-own-food project. In this trying time, filled with pain and suffering, there remains unity. «

In this trying time, there remains unity.

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Points of View

Editorials

An OverviewJohn Amador

The crisis in Zamboanga was a very important event in our country. It showed what we have improved in and where we can still improve. It showed how the Philippine Government needs to speed up the negotiations in order to prevent other parties from losing patience and following in the footsteps of Nur Misuari's group. It also showed how these rebel groups are not afraid to challenge the government. In terms of where we can improve in society, this crisis showed both how in times of crisis the Filipino people can still unite, though there is still religious tension. Also it showed how it seems that religion is the one holding

people together when it should be our shared culture and heritage. Econom-ically, the Zamboanga crisis seemed to only directly affect it's region as analysts and other politicians like the Tourism Head and President Aquino said that overall the Philippine Economy remained more or less stable during the crisis.

By looking at these issues we can look for solutions in case that something like the Zamboanga Crisis will ever happen again. My solutions are from the perspective of the government and the citizens as it requires cooperation between both parties in order fort these solutions to work properly. For the Societal issue, the Philippine Government and the people need to find a way,

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Editorials

whether through various programs or even in everyday situations, like how during the Egyptian Revolution the Christians protected the Muslims and vice-versa. Another program abroad that hopes to diffuse tension is for the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the World Islamic Call Society (WICS) to send it's members to areas in the world where there are tensions between the two religious groups. I feel the Philippines should either start a program like this or give it's full support to this program. In order to solve the culture problem, the government needs to implement more programs to highlight and teach the populace about Filipino Culture, however we the people also need to learn to be proud about out Culture, whether the good or the bad side as there are a lot of Filipinos who reject their Filipino heritage or culture. Personally I feel that the government did well economically as it is almost impossible for the immediate region of Zamboanga to not get affected since it is the area of the conflict. However I think the government can improve in how it handles and helps the economy after the crisis. They need to improve here as during the crisis, as said, the economy was more or less stable however after the crisis and even till now, the economy in Zamboanga is still reeling. One way they can solve this problem is by re-establishing confidence in the populace that they and their businesses will be safe and secure. Because that is the whole reason the businesses shut down in the first places as they felt their businesses were not secure enough. They can do this by maintaining a bigger police or military

presence than before. Now in terms of Politics the Philippines needs to be more intimidating and be more serious when dealing with the rebel groups, because as seen in the crisis, the rebels thought that they can just walk through the city and raise their flag in front of the city hall. This shows how these groups do not really fear or they do not take the government seriously. This is partly due to the government being inept in negotiating as t h e y d e c i d e d t o p u t t h e p e a c e negotiations seemingly at the back of their priorities. Thus in order to solve this problem the government should once and for all finish the negotiations, which other than securing peace, will show how the government is serious in its various dealings.

O v e r a l l , I b e l i e v e t h a t t h e government and the people should follow these suggestions, the possibility of another crisis like this will be greatly decreased. «

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RebuildingArnolfo Acero

To help rebuild the nation from the recent problems, different groups of people can do different types of work. Some can do one type while the others can do the other kind.

So what can the Filipino people do to help rebuild the nation from problems like the Zamboanga crisis and the pork barrel? One thing we can do is to cooperate with the government. While the government is doing their work as the government, we can go on with our daily lives and not spread useless false information that would confuse and make others panic. We can also help by ourselves not panicking.

What can the government do? I, not being in the government, think that the government can raise the moral of their people. They should show people that they are doing things and not just watching. If they do this, people will be less panicky and restless because they know that the government is doing their work. The government should work hard to find a solution for their problems and raise morale of the common people.

As a student, what can I do? I think as a student, I can also do my own small things. I can pray, I can make myself be aware of what is happening. If I know what is happening, I would be able to help in the future. Also, I would be able to teach my classmates about it so that they won’t be ignorant either.

As different people, we can do different things in many ways. «

What Can be DoneKarl Go

The Filipinos can start by donating food to the people of Zamboanga in certain areas that still bear the effects of the conflict. Without food people will be starving.

Filipinos should accept other religions and respect it. Try to have a special day where Muslims can express their culture to us. Donate some clothes and other things that you don't need and that are still useful for the people. Help each other by making signs that say peace. Welcome Muslims in Manila. What the government can do is talk about or make a treaty with the MNLF that they will be finishing or finalizing the contract. It is better not to kill but to capture the rebels to stop having much death. Continue to have a talk with the MNLF daily so to know what seems to be the problem. Also to block or stop about bad ideas of the Muslims in Facebook, Twitter, etc. Continue to welcome Muslims in Luzon. Try to maintain peace and order with them. Start rebuilding houses and homes for them. also create a better society with them.

What I can do is also donate goods. Post peace and harmony with the Muslims in a blog. Pray everyday that people one day will be all together.

Become a friend of a Muslim. Help each other out. Benefit from each other by sharing your ideas. «

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Mentally, Socially, PhysicallyDavid Ongtenco

The problems of the individual areas in Philippines are now circling the entire Philippines. With the storms Luzon the earthquake in Visayas and the MNLF crisis in Mindanao. I believe because of these many natural and man made disasters the Philippines may need to have rehabilitate and rebuild the Philippine people from these disasters. What the government must do, what the Filipinos must do and also what students can do to help.

I believe that for the government to recover what they need to do is to create and facilitate projects that will enhance the mood from the disasters like having games as groups which can improve team bonding or group bonding which will help the people from the Mindanao crisis be able to get to know their previous enemies and change them from foes into friends. I believe that what this can do to help the people affected by lightening the mood or giving them hope and by creating friendships. Also what the government can do in their offices without getting their hands dirty would be to post on Facebook or any social networking sites the national holidays of the Muslims and Catholic alike which will and should make the Muslims feel like we are accepting their religion. Also lastly I think that to make the Muslim govern-ment cool down they should quickly solve the problems of the laws.

As Filipinos what can they do some may ask. What I think they can do as regular people is to accept the Muslims

and forgive them for starting the conflict and to forget about the conflict. Although they are of different religion doesn't mean that they are evil or they are bad. But what they should think of it is that they are all the same they are humans but of different religion. Also I think that the Filipino people should and must get to know and befriend some people of the Muslim religion so they will be able to get to know the reason why they wanted to have this war. And we will not just be getting mad and bad mouthing them without knowing the reason why they did this. And to help lighten the mood in the effected areas of the typhoons and earthquakes in Luzon and Visayas we as the Filipino people should help by giving them relief goods and donations of all kinds to help them.

Since I myself am a student, I think what the best thing we can do to lighten the mood in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao would be to support all the programs and efforts of the government. Such as packing goods inside school and outside. Also they can pray for the people to be able to recover from the shock as soon as possible. Aside from that we can help them mentally by posting on the social networking sites that we hope you get better and such.

I believe and I know that if the people reading this will follow these instructions, the people will be able to improve in all ways, mentally, socially, and physically. «

October 2013 « 9

The Foundation for a Better FutureLuis Diy

Conflict has seemingly made its way into every aspect of human life; it is rare to find areas without war and strife. There are attempts to eradicate conflict, yet it is still rampant. What causes these conflicts, that they keep coming back despite our efforts? What hinders us from achieving true peace?

Let us use the Crusades, the holy war in the Middle Ages between Christians and Muslims, as an example. What caused it? It was the inability of the believers of the two religions to coexist. Going further, what caused this inability? It was, ultimately, due to the differences between the two religions, only settled as the Christians failed, in the long run, to reclaim the Holy Land, when they welcomed the Arabs. However, this religious toleration has not lasted long; some nation-states in the 16th and 17th centuries wanted a state religion. This then, instead of uniting the people, mostly brought conflict, due to the inability to accept the others’ differences.

Most often, difference, or also discord, is what causes the conflict to exist.

That is a problem the Muslims and Christians are facing until this day. The stereotype and notion that all Muslims are evil further proves that the Christians have not learned to respect those who do not live the same way. There lies the true problem. There is no respect.

If there is respect, shown by all people on all sides, the differences will not matter, and everyone may be able to coexist and live peacefully among one another.

On a national scale, we must realize that they are Filipinos as well; there is no reason for them to be lower than the Christians in the country. Our Muslim brothers in Mindanao fail to see that they are valued. It is not their fault; many times, they are placed last on the list. Their island, Mindanao, is home to some of the poorest areas in the country, some of which are mostly Muslim lands.

This recent uprising in Zamboanga has sprung up because some of our Muslim countrymen feel that it is time to be noticed, that they cannot be left in the shadows any longer. They believe that independence will benefit them more, for they will finally be noticed and truly cared for.

It all starts with simple acts of kindness and respect. We must befriend them, we must make it a point that they feel welcomed in smaller circles of society before moving on to bigger groups. This would be the foundation of a better future, for the Muslims, for Mindanao, for the whole country. «

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October 2013 « 11