What if we also want an Ilonggo Nation?

There is an existing Ilonggo Nation Movement community on the Internet organized in December 25, 2005 by Ilonggos based in the United States and the Philippines. The group claim that the Ilonggo Nation predates the Republic of the Philippines. What are their basis?

*That Spain had already formally surrendered to the Federal Republic of the Visayas even before Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was proclaimed Philippine President in Malolos, Bulacan on January 23, 1899. That our Independent Visayan Republic, had never been under the authority and jurisdiction of Aguinaldo’s “Katagalogan” Republic in Luzon.

*That the 1898 Treaty of Paris preliminaries, should not have included territories of the sovereign “Visayan Nation”; the confederation of Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Romblon cantonal governments –by virtue of Spain’s formal surrender prior to this U.S-Spain treaty of peace and the $20-million buy-out. Spain had no more legal right to sell.

*Nov. 6 & Dec. 23, 1898 -Spain formally surrendered to both; the Negros Republic that merged (Dec. 2, 1898) with the Federal Republic of the Visayas based in Iloilo (respectively). (Source: INM Blog)

The Ilonggo Nation Movement website features history of the Ilonggo Nation dating back to the time of Datu Puti of the Maragtas legend. I have posted a short opinion about the Code of Kalatiantaw in one of my previouse posts. Articles from Ilonggo historians on the website may shed some light as to whether the Maragtas is just a legend or represent the history of the Ilonggos.

Is the Ilonggo Nation Movement Secessionist?

Indeed, if historical events will only be recognized by the national government, the Ilonggo Nation (comprising of the provinces of Western Visayas) is a legimate sovereign nation. If Ilonggo Nation is not originally part of the Republic of the Philippines, where is secession in that? However, the INM claim they are only advocating Federalism.

So are Ilonggos ready to take up arms and force to be recognized as a sovereign state? I don’t think so. Ilonggos are genteel folks unless forced against the wall. We like to take the route of our National Hero and Pride of the Ilonggos, Graciano Lopez Jaena. We can always agree to disagree but violence is never a way of life for us.

Much as I take pride in learning about the Ilonggo Nation, I do not really want to be separated from the Philippines. I am for Federalism as long as it is mandated by the Constitution. Regionalism has already taken so much toll on our country. Being an archipelago, it’s very difficult for us to unite since every region has it’s own peculiarities. I believe Federalism will address these problems.

What if we also want an Ilonggo Nation?

I guess we’ll have to take the long and slow route to Federalism. And everybody should be involved in the decision making. All Filipinos should be well-informed in order to make a decision for this does not only affect our region but the whole country. The national interest is still first and foremost on my mind and in my heart. I believe that first, I am a Filipino. Second, an Ilonggo.