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MILF fighters at Camp Abubakar during
offensive training drills. |
In Camp Abubakar, later that day, I interviewed a longtime MILF
field commander, known only by his radio codename, "Congressman."
He was surrounded by nearly a hundred armed men, watching us silently
as we set up the cameras. His broad face and firm voice conveyed
experience. He joined the armed movement in 1972, six years before
the MILF was officially organized. I asked him why he's devoted
all his life to this -- what is he fighting for? He turned to
me and thought about the question. Then he began to sob. He tried
to regain his composure, but it was useless. The tears flowed
down his face. He struggled to speak. "We want to achieve freedom
and independence for Mindanao's Muslims," he said. "We'd rather
die fighting for an independent homeland," he said tearfully,
"than continue living under this oppressive system." The armed
men around Congressman shifted uncomfortably. They may never have
seen their commander break down like this.
MILF fighters raise their arms in solidarity after prayer. |
On our way down the mountain, I thought about why he had cried.
I tried to imagine how it would feel to spend 30 years of your
life in the jungle, hoping that change will come. I imagined
how it would be to put up with years of living in hiding, in
danger, with little food or shelter, fighting a military much
more powerful than yours. I wondered how many would willingly
choose the path he'd taken.
Little boy at Camp Abubakar.
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We were escorted down the mountain with a group of young MILF
cadres. Some looked as if they were still in their teens. At some
point they stopped to change into civilian clothes. Their 10-day-a-month
stint in the jungle was over, and it was time to rest and blend
back into society. A few miles down the track, we met a group
of young men making their way up the mountain. It was their turn
to be rebels. The commander, it seemed, would not be alone. And
the war in Mindanao would continue.
***
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