• The factors that dog the Sulu Sultanate is as ubiquitous as the rising and falling of the tides. Even with all the work we are doing to try to help the region, and moving as fast as we can within the legal system, there are rumors among a few constituents that put the members of Sultan Esmail D. Kiram II family in a stressful spot. It is this predilection that often divide a people rather than unite. Some are apparently asking when they will see the restoration of the Sultan’s Mansion or the other projects become true. There is a general lack of understanding about collaterals, land titles, ROI and stable financial projections. There is also a general lack of understanding of project development and trade investments as a whole. It has only been 7 months since we were given the titles of Ambassadors but already, the burden of delivery is heavy. We have opened offices in Makati as well as Jolo The living conditions of the people are dire, worst than when I used to roam the place while growing up in Zamboanga. For the jealously curious, our staff are getting paid salaries in pesos and are working too hard to advance our causes. No one in the Sulu Sultanate is getting a dollar largesse from us. One World Institute, our privately funded 501C3, funds the offices.

• Another Ramadhan season is over without a break from the military initiatives that have failed to bring about the much sought after peace in the region. There is not much for the people to celebrate. Yesterday’s bombing at the Glorietta that killed and injured innocent people only help to increase prejudice against Moslems as the bombing is again blamed on the ASG. Modern technology is available to help police public areas. There are many firms offering the latest in surveillance equipment. Mayor Binay should consider installing them everywhere and outsource the surveillance to a bonded private firm who is wired to a central warning system.

• Rumors that the DOJ branch of BID is for sale 24/7 are rife. Many foreign victims are coming out of the closet to reveal tales fit for a movie. Drugs, Food, Day Passes, Pet visits, Cell Phones and new SIMs, anything and everything goes - for a price. And prices go as high as 5Million pesos for an indefinite vacation into a private detention home in more pristine environments if you want to rent it for 100K pesos per month. Your passport held up? 2Million pesos may do the trick. Need a hold departure order? 2 Million will do. Need it signed by the boss? Another 5 Million pesos will work. A guard in Bicutan who wants to remain anonymous says that it is well known that foreigners in Bicutan with money stay in Bicutan forever, and the poor ones are deported FAST! A guard in Bicutan also informed a close source that the facility that detained 300 Moslems (after a major past incident in Jolo) now only holds 100 “because we have already killed the other two – hehe”. A foreigner writing a book about his experiences in Bicutan, when asked what he thinks of the place where he has spent 3 out of 15 years of incarceration said, “Muntinlupa, where I was for 12 years, is a 5 star hotel compared to Bicutan.”

• ARSSA, a resolution to carve a separate Autonomous Region of Sulu Sultanate looks dead in the wind as other resolutions by competing forces are brought in. Cong. Hermilando Mandanas, the sponsor of the bill, is standing at center of this proposal. We sent a copy of the bill to the office of GMA and requested feedback, but have not gotten one. The office of Sen Loren Legarda, whose assistance the Sultan requested in sponsorship at the Senate did not respond either. But there is another resolution to divide Jolo into 2 provincial districts. Author unknown at the moment. Reader, please participate in our survey and give us your feedback. Visit www.SultanofSulu.org and let your voice be counted.

• WHAT TO DO?

Central Government:

1. Establish an Economic Master Plan that maximize territorial productivity utilizing constituents from the same economic base.

Local Government:

2. Increase territorial interaction by promoting local tourism that is market based while engineering the restoration of historic sites and the construction of one major Cultural/Arts Center that showcase the people’s history and culture through Pang-alay and historic artifacts.

NGO’s

3. Encourage diversity in the conflict areas through joint seminars on cottage industries.

USAID

4. Conduct seminars on WAR and its economic, social, psychological damage to society. Forget PEACE seminars. The word is overused. Work on behavior modification with negative reinforcement. Audience: GRP, To Whom it May Concern

Local Businessmen

5. Construct decent boutique hotels for tourists. Develop products for the local as well as domestic and other markets. Build decent mini-malls master-planned to make the territory a pleasing and safe place to visit.

Filipinos of the Philippines

6. Buy the products of Sulu: fruits, seafood, textiles, pearls, etc.

Churches and Mosques

7. Preach Honor, Integrity, Transparency, Courage and Humility. Call for a non violent WAY.

Banks

8. Provide micro loans under joint supervision for trade, commerce and real estate development.

AFP-PNP

9. Protect the innocent from unnecessary harm.

MEDIA

10. Verify and spread the truth.

THEN WHAT?

11. Peace today can only be constructed piece by piece from very Good Intentions and good intentions can only come from the good heart. If the people of Sulu want to know what their future will be, they need only look at the company they are keeping, protecting, and entertaining or fighting today. SO KEEP ONLY THE COMPANY OF THOSE WHO MAKE YOU BETTER THAN YOU ARE SO YOU CAN BE WHATEVER YOU WANT TO BE!

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Published on: 2007-07-24 (1014 reads)