Today’s Inquirer issue reports about how “Christian” north exploits “Muslim” south. An article in ABS-CBN News reports the same thing.

To be honest, exploitation is not the right word. It is two-way, so the right term is symbiosis. Or to be more blunt, it’s scratch-my-back-and-I-scratch-yours. And that is a hard thing to stop. It is corruption at its best worst.

As I try to put myself into the shoes of a lowly citizen in a village in Mindanao, given the conditions being described in news reports, the more bewildered I become. If I am an unschooled or a dropout person, given the culture, what would I do? It would be hard to go against the elder, right? Would I become an outcast? Would I still live if I go against the local warlord? What would become of my family? So many things to consider, and I no longer wonder if no one would dare. So the cycle continues. Eventually, they have to learn that what is being done to them by their elders and warlords are wrong, and may wisen up.

But there is something that can be done on our end. That is, punish those who exploit the Muslim culture to their advantage. Easier said than done, but it must be done. We start by reforming Comelec, giving it motu propio powers, making sure that only the right individuals get to be appointed to staff it. Then we reform the electoral system itself, by any means possible, be it automation, or streamlining, or whatever. And of course, voters education that must begin at the primary level; give equal emphasis on civics/citizen education, math, science, and English.

Unfortunately, it will probably take several more generations before the much needed changes take effect. So it is imperative that we must begin immediately.