basilan island—i experienced god’s peace among the people there

remember basilan island? sometime between 2001 and 2002 you’ll recall that two american missionaries, martin and gracia burnham, were held captive here by their abu sayyaf kidnappers. except for some catholic priests, most western missionaries abandoned central and southwestern mindanao after the burnham kidnapping.

since ferdinand marcos’ martial law regime between 1972 and 1984, basilan has been a battle ground between the armed forces of the philippines and the moro national liberation front (mnlf) rebels. the armed conflict here continued when a breakaway group, the moro islamic liberation front (milf), continued their struggle for an independent islamic state. then there's the abu sayyaf group, made popular by the philippine and u.s. media. the local people in this island are puzzled why the abu sayyaf terrorist group was able to operate in basilan for years despite the large government military presence here.

the american “war against terrorism” further fueled the armed conflict here by supplying the philippine military with thousands of new m16 rifles. these american-made automatic weapons, however, mysteriously end up in the hands of powerful politicians and criminal elements. just two days ago, u.s. embassy charge d' affaires joseph mussomeli visited this island with his military escorts in full battle gear. mussomeli insisted that there are still terrorists in muslim mindanao, including basilan, and that the philippine government must remain vigilant (read—you need the presence of the u.s. military in this country).

well, there are many positive and pleasant news about basilan. i had the privilege of meeting teams of muslims and christians working together building peace in many communities in the island. they are full of joy! their sense of belonging extend from their own religious communities—muslims caring for christians and christians caring for muslims.

here in basilan, a local organization is literally transforming war trash into works of art! in his journal about the nagdilaab foundation, jon rudy writes: “the war trash project… is designed to provide healing for communities while providing some income from the refuse of war. by training youth in metallurgical skills while providing employment and marketing skills, this poorest of the philippine islands is given a chance for economic enhancement.”

i also met a military general who claims to seek peace for basilan by teaching his troops the culture of peace through his own example and influence. he expressed his righteous anger against some men in uniform who merely serve their own interests by serving as bodyguards of corrupt politicians: “i make sure that my men are not used by the politicians and powerful business people in protecting their illegal logging operations or smuggling.” in my initial impression, this man acts and behaves more like an ngo worker than a military general. but deep within me, i doubted the words of the general. is this part of military propaganda in this area?

i also talked to a corporal—he didn't know i was talking to his general an hour earlier—who proudly expressed that he does not drink nor gamble. this is so significant for his sense of being: “when i used to drink and gamble, i tend to use my authority for my self-interest. corruption, you know?” this soldier has a clear sense of mission: “i believe god somehow chose me to be a part of this battalion to help my superiors serve the basilan people… we do not like terrorists here… we do not like foreign military presence here… we just want to be peaceful here... this armalite? i do not wish to use it again except when we have to defend ourselves while we serve the people coming in and out of basilan.” his duty was to protect and to serve the passengers of the supercat ferry between zamboanga and basilan.

i think i have to adjust my perception about the words of the general. may god forgive my suspicious attitude.

there’s hope for peace in basilan! not through the militaristic approach of the philippine military and the u.s. armed forces. beyond the big guns of the military empire, god is at work in the hearts and minds of the people in basilan. since god is at work in basilan, perhaps it is appropriate for all those who claim to be working for god's kingdom, whether filipino or western christian workers, to go back to central and southwestern mindanao? your life insurance will be void here, for sure. it is time for us to evaluate our bases of peace and security in this world.
i’m going to visit basilan again, inshallah.