ARMM, as its name implies is suppose to be a measure self-governance of these region under the aegis of the Philippine state. what rendered it "not acceptable" is the fact that it did not work simply because old families were the ones who dominated the region under patronage politics. no significant development was seen in the region for the past few decades.
what many of us fail to understand is that
the failure of ARMM is a failure brought by class politics within the Bangsamoro people themselves, propped up by the class politics of the national government. the Ampatuans-Arroyo partnership among others in the region are prime examples of this.
the MILF sees that by severing ties with the national government, they can better bargain against the warlord politicians, politically speaking, and establish something substantial as the umbilical cord that strengthen these warlord politicians is already cut off.
the real challenge now is this to show how ARMM can still work through;
- challenging the power/disarming of the warlord/political clans
- monitoring infrastructure/industrial development
- genuine elections
- social welfare/education
- employment
if this administration can show a
convincing and
realistic action plan under the aegis of ARMM, as an alternative for a sub-state, then we have a chance at peace.