Freedom Fighters or Terrorists? That is one of the questions we must look at this month as we travel to the Philippines. Whenever tourists visit the Philippines, they travel to the northern islands, not the southern. Why is that you ask? Because the southern island of Mindanao has become the seat of terrorists and rebel groups that have been responsible for kidnappings and beheadings. To get a clearer picture of how this conflict has evolved, we have to know a little bit of history. In 1946, after WWII, the government sponsored Christian Filipino immigration from the north to the island of Mindanao. To get an idea of the massive movement that took place, by 1960 there were 93,000 immigrants to the 7,000 indigenous Muslims who still lived in the area of Kapatagan. This immigration displaced many Muslim families. After the war, all unregistered land was considered public land and the government portioned it off piece by piece. 'Many Muslims who were unfamiliar with the procedures or couldn't afford the steep processing fees, and the requirement to pay taxes during the interim, did not file for the legal title to the land that they currently occupied. Christian settlers however regularly obtained legal ownership of the best newly opened lands as well as crop loans and other forms of government assistance. The new Christian communities also became linked to trade centers and to one another by networks of roads while Muslim communities remained relatively isolated.' Many familes were forced off their lands. 'The Bureau of Lands recognized land rights on the basis of priority of claim filed, not priority of occupation. It was not unusual for individuals to obtain legal titles, either intentionally or unintentionally, to already-occupied lands. In such cases, the legal owners were mostly (but not always) Christians and the previous occupants ordinary Muslims. Poor Muslim "squatters" would usually be offered small amounts of money to vacate the land and would often accept it and leave. If the occupants refused to move and the titled owner was sufficiently wealthy or influential, he would gain possession of the land by use of armed might, most often supplied by local units of the Philippine Constabulary.' (Info from "The Origins of the Muslim Separatists Movement in the Philippines" by Thomas M. McKenna http://asiasociety.org/countries-history/conflicts/origins-muslim-separatist-movement-philippines)
When looking back on history through Muslim eyes, it is easy to see why many consider themselves as freedom fighters for their homelands. They want to establish a separate Islamic state and reclaim the land of their ancestors. They want to expel the Christians they see as invaders and oppressors. While this does not excuse their actions, hopefully we can understand their motivation. As we pray for the Christians in the Philippines this month and the persecution they experience there from groups like Abu Sayyif, lets not forget to also pray for the Muslim communities and families whose pasts have been torn apart by the immigration of Christians into their region. Scars run deep, and memories are long, but our Lord is a God of power and healing in even the most impossible of circumstances. Through him alone can these two groups come together and offer forgiveness to one another and stop the cycle of violence that is spinning their region out of control.
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Philippines
Basic Info: The Philippines are an archipelago, east of Vietnam. It is slightly larger than Arizona, made up mostly of mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands. It's located on a typhoon belt and is usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year. The islands also suffer from landslides, significant activity from volcanoes, destructive earthquakes, and tsunamis. The International Maritime Burea reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against. Many commerical vessels have been attacked and hijacked both while at anchor and when at sea. The hijacked vessels are often disguised and the cargo is redirected to ports in East Asia. The crews have been either murdered or cast adrift.
Government: The Philippine Islands were colonized by Spain in the 16th century, but were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. The country became a self-governing commonwealth in 1935, and Manuel Quezon was elected president and was responsible for preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. However, in 1942, the Japanese took control of the islands during WWII and the US forces and Filipinos fought for 2 years to take them back. On July 4, 1946, The Republic of the Philippines gained its independence. Ferdinand Marcos ruled for 20 years before a "people power" movement in 1986 forced him into exile and Corazon Aquino became president. Her presidency was hindered by several coup attempts that prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel Ramos was elected president in 1992. His administration was marked by increased stability and by progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph Estrada was elected president in 1998. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in January 2001 after Estrada's impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement demanded his resignation. Macapagal-Arroyo was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. Her presidency was marred by several corruption allegations but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid recession after the 2008 global financial crisis. Benigno Aquino III was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2010. The Philippine Government faces threats from several groups on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which has led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and on-again/off-again peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People's Army insurgency also operates through much of the country.
Economy: The Philippine economy rode out the global recession better than many other countries in the region thanks to minimal exposure to troubled international securities, lower dependence on exports, relatively resilient domestic consumption, large remittances from four- to five-million overseas Filipino workers, and a growing business process outsourcing industry. The economy improved in 2010 due to consumer demand and election-related spending. Despite the growth in the economy, poverty worsened because of a high population growth rate and inequitable distribution of income. The current budget emphasizes education, health, conditional cash transfers for the poor, and other social spending programs, relying on the private sector to finance important infrastructure projects. Weak tax collection, exacerbated by new tax breaks and incentives, has limited the government's ability to address major challenges. The administration has vowed to focus on improving tax collection efficiency - rather than imposing new taxes - as a part of its good governance platform.
Religion: Roman Catholic 80.9%, Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)The Philippines faces threats from Communist insurgents and Muslim separatists. Though the Filipino people predominantly profess Christianity, those Christians living in areas with significant influence from Muslim and Communist guerrilla organizations have faced threats, kidnapping and death. Militant Muslim groups in the southern part of the country are intent on forming an Islamic state, and persecution of Christians is increasingly common. In January 2008, Father Jesus Reynaldo Roda, a Catholic missionary with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was murdered by a suspected al-Qaeda related group of Islamic militants in the chapel at Notre Dame of Tabawan School. In April 2008, assailants stormed into the home of Pastor Vic Vicera in Mindanao and opened fire on him, his wife and another pastor present. Pastor Vicera was killed and his wife shot in the hand and leg. Local Christians suspected the attackers to be Muslim militants, as some of the Muslims Pastor Vicera lived and worked among had reportedly tried to convince him to convert to Islam. Communist insurgents have also been responsible for the intimidation, kidnapping and killing of Christians. In May 2008, Communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the Philippines kidnapped a Christian pastor whom they accused of aiding soldiers in an anti-insurgency campaign in Mindanao. Months later his body was found and there was evidence that he had been subjected to torture during his captivity. On July 29, armed militants stopped a mini-bus in Mindanao and murdered four Christian male passengers execution-style.
Terrorists: Abu Sayyaf- their goal is an Islamic state in western Midanao and the Sulu archipelago, with the broader goal of a pan Islamic state spanning southeast Asia; known for repeated kidnappings and demanding ransom to fund their activities; at the groups height they had 4,000 members
• January 2009, three Red Cross officials were kidnapped; 2 of 3 have since been released.
• Plot to assassinate President Gloria Arroyo was discovered and foiled by Philippine security officials in February 2008.
• April 2007: 7 workers abducted and beheaded; their heads delivered to the army.
• December 2006: The Abu Sayyaf group was suspected when three injuries resulted from a bombing inside a department store in the Philippines.
• February 2004: Abu Sayyaf claimed responsibility when 116 people were killed when the Superferry 14, a ferry sailing in Manila's waters, was exploded.
• May 2001: Twenty were taken hostage from the Philippine island, Palawan. The group killed Guillermo Sobero, one of three American hostages.
• April 2000: Abu Sayyaf militants kidnapped 21 on Sipadan, a Malaysian resort island Libya paid over $20 million to free them.
• April 1995: The first major attack by Abu Sayyaf group in Ipil, a southern Filipino town. Thirty were taken hostage, and 53 civilians and soldiers were killed.
Information compiled from CIAWorldFactBook “Philippines”; VOMC ‘Philippines” www.persescution.net asiasociety.org
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Islam and Terrorists
Many people today know Islam to be a peaceful religion, and the media makes a distinction between what they term moderate Muslims and extremists, claiming that it is the extremists who are misrepresenting Islam. Many are even quick to point out that extremists are not only a danger to non-Muslims, but to other Muslims as well. So the question then is, "How does one become an 'extremist' and what model are they following?" There are no easy answers to these questions, but let’s look at the Muslim texts and the life of Muhammad himself.
The Hadith tells us that "when Allah's Apostle was asked, 'What is the best deed?' He replied, 'To believe in Allah and his Apostle (Muhammad).' The questioner then asked, 'What is the next (in goodness)?' He replied, 'To participate in Jihad in Allah's cause'"(Surah 2:25). From the beginning we can see that struggle and fighting are an integral part of Islam. Still, though, we ask ourselves what would lead a 'normal' person to commit such acts of violence and hatred against another human being? How does one get to the point of becoming a terrorist?
Just as a person's character is developed over time, so is a person's philosophy and mentality. Here are some verses that might impact a Muslim's mentality. "Fighting is prescribed for you, and you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not" (Surah 2:216). You ask how can a person do the things that terrorists do? Even if your conscience is telling you that something is wrong, if you believe that you are called to do it anyway, you will only see your conscience as a sign of weakness and something to overcome. Also, there is a distinction between those who participate in Jihad and those who do not. "Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and those who strive hard and fight in the cause of Allah with their wealth and lives" (Surah 4:95). Those who join in Jihad are seen as being more devoted to their religion than those who do not.
In the life of Muhammad, we can see the difference in how he acted based on where he was and how much power he possessed at the time. Here are some examples:
•Mecca: He invited people to be a [art of Islam by preaching.
Medina: He persuaded people to convert by the sword.
•Mecca: He acted like a priest, living a life of prayer, fasting, and worship.
Medina: He behaved like a military commander, personally leading 27 attacks.
•Mecca: He had only one wife, Khadija, for those twelve years.
Medina: He married twelve more women in 10 years.
•Mecca: He fought against idol worship.
Medina: He fought against People of the Book (Jews and Christians.)
The Prophet Muhammad’s move from Mecca to Medina changed Islam from a religious and spiritual revelation to a political agenda. Dr. Mark Gabriel explains the 3 revelations of jihad in this way. The first: Repay those who mistreat you. Muhammad’s first jihad was against the tribe who had persecuted him and thrown him out of Mecca. The second: Conquer your region. After Muhammad’s first victory, he claimed that the angel Gabriel brought him a new message stating that he must fight every tribe in Arabia and make them submit to Islam. The third: Conquer the world. The final revelation said “Fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism, worshiping others besides Allah) and the religion (worship) will be for Allah Alone (in the whole of the world). “ Since this was the last revelation, and none came after it contradicting it, this is still the goal of Islam today. According to Islamic leader and well known scholar, Mawlana Abul Ala Mawdudi (the founder of Pakistan’s fundamentalist movement), “In order for Islam to fulfill that goal, Islam can use every power available every way it can be used to bring worldwide revolution. This is jihad.”
So in short, you can do whatever you want, wherever you want, as long as it advances the cause of Jihad and Allah. Some examples are denying the Islamic faith and lying to other Muslims. We see the precedent of Muhammad himself giving his friend permission to deny him and Islam after his friend was captured and tortured, and only gained his release by denying Islam. Another time, Muhammad sent an assassin into an enemy camp, and told this follower to curse Islam and Muhammad so that he might get close enough to his target to kill him. In recent history, we saw President Saddam Hussein of Iraq lie to President Mubarek of Egypt when Mubarek visited him in Baghdad and had him promise not to invade Kuwait. Saddam Hussein didn’t even keep his word for 24 hours before invading Kuwait. Other examples are that anyone who conflicts with, disagrees with or does not support Muhammad and his teaching should be killed (as seen by the deaths ordered by Muhammad himself against his adversaries and critics), women and children can be killed (Muhammad said ‘I consider them as of their parents’), and it is right to murder a governor or leader who is not in compliance with Islamic law (which explains why ‘Muslim’ leaders are targeted and assassinated by terrorist groups and insurgents).
In summary, here are the words of Sayyid Qutb, the founding father of Jihad, on his view of Muslims who do not participate in Jihad. “The order in which Allah gave Islam to Muhammad was gradual and progressive to maximize positive results to Islam. Many Muslims take the early verses of this progressive teaching out of context as if they are Allah’s final and complete instructions. These Muslims stripe Islam of its power and build their own theory on these verses. The results of this type of interpretation of Islam are Muslims who are living a defeated life spiritually and mentally. They are under the pressure of the hopelessness that they cannot spread Islam any longer. These people are only Muslims by name.”
Information compiled from “Islam and Terrorism “ by Mark A. Gabriel, PH.D.
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Four Killed in Philippines by Muslim Rebels
Journeyman Pictures: Terror Trail Philippines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7b1MZD-HhA
(I cannot post it on the blog, but it is worth copying and pasting into a separate browser to watch. Or go to youtube and type in the above mentioned title.)
Journeyman Pictures: Bearers of the Sword Philippines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oorBcHkooc&feature=relmfu
(This is a look into the motivations of the Islamic Terrorists groups. Warning: some graphic content shared. Again, type directly into youtube or copy and paste into separate browser.)
These clips will give you a better idea of the culture and day to day living.
Bizarre Foods Philippines Part 1
Bizarre Foods Philippines Part 2
Bizarre Foods Philippines Part 3
Bizarre Foods Philippines Part 4
Bizarre Foods Philippines Part 5
Bizarre Foods Philippines Part 6
