Changing the Course of Mindanao's History

It is high time to acknowledge and correct the grave mistakes that were committed against the past, present and future generations of Mindanaoans. The Spaniards in the Philippines intruded into the commercial and political territories of the Muslim Royal families. This led to the Muslim raids against Christian communities. These raids, in turn, led to higher levels of violence committed against (and by) Muslims, Christians, and Cultural Communities under the Spanish, American, Japanese, and Filipino-led administrations.

To alter the course of Mindanao's history, we need to send development and education specialists to the Land of Promise, rather than soldiers. We need development funds, rather than arms. We need a sense of history, rather than a sense of arrogance. We need reason, more than passion. We need actions, more than words.We need all-out education, rather than all-out war. We must pursue all-out development, more than all-out justice.