Mindanao independence resolution to be submitted to UN

@mugtech

Not sure about that incident, specifically, but there has been an uptick lately of loosely-held rebel groups carrying out ambushes on police, military, and even civilians in various regions in Mindanao - mainly around the Cotabato region.  Some are leftovers from Abu Saif, Islamaya (not sure the exact name), and others.  They've done a good job of getting most to surrender, but there are still a lot of hold outs, from my understanding.  Years ago, my GF used to do humanitarian help with the Philippine Army in that area and told me about some tense encounters she had with many of the rebel groups there.

@Lotus Eater

Yea, I try not to get too involved in the politics in the PI (I get enough already watching the daily news in the US).  Just relaying how I see changing mindsets as it relates to the various regions in the PI.  I saw an article on Philstar a few weeks ago showing a poll on the support of Marcos and Sarah by region.  Overall, Sarah was slightly higher than Marcos, which surprised me (although, both were pretty low, so take it with a grain of salt).  Of course broken down by region Sarah was highest in Mindanao and lowest in Luzon, while Marcos was highest in Luzon and lowest in Mindanao.  The Vasayas seemed to be in the middle for both.  Again, Luzon vs. Mindanao is similar to how one would see political views in say Texas vs. California (i.we., opposite ends of spectrum).  I just wish they would fix their corruption issues, but that may be asking for a miracle given how much it poliferates their society.

@bizwizard

They will almost certainly getting the backing of at least one or more Islamic countries and it will be bye bye Mindanao...

@bizwizard
They will almost certainly getting the backing of at least one or more Islamic countries and it will be bye bye Mindanao... - @Paper2

The Philippines will never let Mindanao become independent. However, with all this independence churn happening it could be enough to cause more fighting as in Marawi. I feel sorry for the majority non-muslims in the region.

I’ve been in and out of Mindanao since 1983. This topic arises every few years, quickly dismissed until next go around.

Wife has relatives that are in the Bangsamoro autonomous government. They have no great desire to secede.

The citizens of the Indonesian province of Aceh fought for ‘freedom’ against the Dutch colonisers, then the Japanese, then the Dutch (again) and when the nation-state of Indonesia was born they fought the Indonesian military because the new constitution contained things like rights and the Acehnese weren’t having any of that. Eventually, they fought the Indonesia military to a peace deal and won the ability to oppress themselves under Sharia law in ways unimaginable under the Indonesian constitution and at the moment they’re happy as Larry whipping gays and young couples caught necking. All their dreams have come true! Freedom means different things to different people and I would not underestimate the various parties in Mindanao politics deciding that as messy and imperfect as independence might be, they’ll all be better off cutting Manila out of the equation. Another way of thinking about it is to ask who in Luzon or Cebu is prepared to die to stop Mindanao independence? I think the answer to that is next to no-one which means it’s really up to the people of Mindanao where they want to take this

@Brojeslov

"I think the answer to that is next to no-one which means it’s really up to the people of Mindanao where they want to take this"

What everybody forgets here is that no more than 20-25% of Mindanao residents are Muslim. Do you think it is OK for the 75% Christian or non- religious be forced to live under Muslim laws?

@danfinn

I really don’t think this will ever fly. But if there was a referendum on becoming an independent state it would not surprise me if a majority of the Christian population did actually vote for it.

It never surprises me as to how fickle and dim witted the average Filipino voter is.

They vote with their hearts, logical reasoning is non existent. They voted for President Estrada in 1998 simply for his good looks and film star persona. He ended up going to jail for embezzlement.

At present it’s the Philippine military in Luzon who are sent down to quell terrorist activity. The Muslim terrorists have form and military backing outside the country. They could conceivably walk over the rest of the new state with their training and military prowess once independence is achieved . Would Malacanang Palace give a toss?

@danfinn

No I don’t think it’s okay for Christians to be forced to live under Islamic law but I do think there’s a good chance those same Christians in Mindanao will believe there’s a better deal for them to be had with their Muslim neighbours than Manila. All politics is local, as they say. A friend of mine from northern Mindanao was encouraging me to visit and I expressed my safety concerns including about Islamic terrorism. She burst out laughing and said, “We don’t allow Muslims to live here, they live over the mountains.” Her view of Mindanao is not a single space shared by Christians and Muslims but an our place here/your place there and provided “they” stayed over the mountains I think she’d be happy to deal with them rather than politicians in Manila 700kms away

Regardless guys, as visitors here we should keep our nose clean when it comes to local and federal politics here. The Filipino citizens will decide as always. Let's enjoy what we  have here cos we ain't gonna change the modus operandi as blow ins. Sit back and watch.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

Sit back and watch

A train wreck in slow motion. Make mine a G&T Steve. Heavy on the ice.

Mine a JD and heavy on the ice though the odd G&T does go down well. Train wrecks occur in all countries but for me as a retired old coot I simply observe, can't stop the train wrecks so we'll sit back and down our choice of poison. Salute.

Cheers, Steve.

PROPOSED flag of the Federal Republic of Mindanao. Resolution adopted during Mindanao-wide consultations calls for peaceful pursuit of independence under international law

Read more at: https://tribune.net.ph/2025/12/31/mindanao-independence-resolution-to-be-submitted-to-un

Their Federal Republic map might appear ambitious?

happy trails

@PalawOne

Isn't that Palawan? Lol

Regardless guys, as visitors here we should keep our nose clean when it comes to local and federal politics here. The Filipino citizens will decide as always. Let's enjoy what we have here cos we ain't gonna change the modus operandi as blow ins. Sit back and watch.
OMO.

Cheers, Steve. - @bigpearl

So what you are saying is that this entire thread should not have been permitted to encourage discussion of the topic by non-filipino citizens. Got it.

No Dan not at all, I'm saying that what we debate here won't change the outcome for the Philippines no different to my vocalisations on certain other countries and the fools attempting to run them, healthy debate is always good. Just remember these sites can be monitored by the powers that be.

Cheers, Steve.

Oh Boy!

Looks like this one when way off  topic!

One thing most people in the world don't realize.

If it wasn't for Colonialism, a lot of countries around the world wouldn't exist in their present form.

The Philippines would be at least 4 different countries.

Indonesia even more, maybe 8 or 9.

India at lest 3.

Lets not get to Africa!

So no surprise now if Mindanao wants to break up.

May even happen and would actually be practical.

@NY_Mike

I look at the thread title which is 100% about Mindanao independence only and you and Steve are calling discussions about it "off topic".  Some things are hard to understand. I do agree with Steve to limit political discussions involving Philippine politics; if you say it might even be a good idea to separate, that may not sit right with many citizens in Mindanao so I will bow out.

@danfinn

I felt it went "off Topic" because I read a lot of posts relating to US politics.

Either way, what I was explaining is that it would not be unusual for Mindanao to split.

Not necessarily the whole province.  Most likely an "East" and "West" scenario.

It's already split with the autonomous region NY_Mike but typically most autocratic/dictatorships want more, human nature? (Good band BTW).

Remember the guy that was nailed to a tree for sprouting "be nice and tolerant" 2,000 years ago?

Greed it seems wins the day as ideologies can easily assimilate and relative to all countries.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.