To our forefathers who fought tirelessly for our rights through the golden years, ensuring that future generations could enjoy the liberties they themselves could only dream of; who stood bravely on the front lines of battle, facing oppression and injustice with unwavering resolve. Your perseverance and relentless spirit have laid the foundation for the freedoms we now cherish.

Who bled and sacrificed in the quest for peace, long before we took our first breaths, laying the groundwork for a more harmonious society. Your blood, sweat, and tears have nourished the seeds of peace, allowing them to grow into the strong, unyielding tree that now provides shelter and hope to countless souls. Your sacrifices have not been in vain, for they have paved the way for a future where harmony reigns over discord.

Who raised their voices in defiance of tyranny across decades, never wavering in their conviction and determination. Your voices, though sometimes silenced, have echoed through the annals of history, resounding in the hearts and minds of those who dared to listen and act. Your unwavering commitment to justice and liberty has inspired generations to carry the torch forward, ensuring that your struggles were not forgotten but rather celebrated and built upon.

Who laid down their lives selflessly for the future and welfare of the Bangsa, so that we might live in a world shaped by their courage and vision. Your ultimate sacrifices, made in the heat of battle for the greater good, have left an indelible mark on our history. You envisioned a world where future generations could live free from fear and oppression, and your courage has made that vision a reality.

To the Mujahideen who continued the fight, the war is over. You can now rest and start over, embracing a life of peace and renewal. No more running from shadows or hiding from threats. The days of fear and uncertainty have given way to a new dawn of safety and security. Your perseverance has brought us to this moment where we can begin anew, unburdened by the weight of past conflicts.

You can now take to the streets freely, dancing with your grandchildren without a single worry in your heart. The joy of watching the younger generations thrive in a world free from the turmoil you once knew is the ultimate reward for your sacrifices. The laughter and playfulness of children, the carefree running in the streets, are the manifestations of the peace you have fought so hard to secure.

The weight of the past has lifted, replaced by the joy and freedom of the present. The shadows of old fears have dissipated, replaced by the light of newfound hope and opportunity. This is a time for celebration, for embracing the fullness of life that was once overshadowed by conflict.

No more guns to carry, only pens to write new beginnings, to script the stories of a hopeful future. This time, a beautiful one, filled with dreams realized and a legacy of resilience and triumph. The tools of war are now exchanged for the tools of creation and expression. With pens in hand, we write the next chapters of our history — chapters filled with innovation, progress, and unity.

As we reflect on the sacrifices of our Mujahideen, we cannot forget the pain and suffering endured by the families left behind — the mothers who lost their sons, the wives who became widows, and the children who grew up without their fathers. These families bore the heavy burden of war and conflict, living with the constant fear of loss, and the deep sorrow that came with each life sacrificed for our freedom. But now, as the shadows of the past begin to lift and the dawn of peace emerges, a new chapter unfolds for them as well.

The tears of the mothers, the widows, and the orphans, who have endured unimaginable sorrow and loss, will now transform into joy as their sacrifices bear the fruit of peace and prosperity. The anguish and heartache they have known will be replaced by smiles and laughter, as they witness the realization of the dreams their loved ones fought and died for. Their resilience and strength through the darkest times have been a beacon of hope for us all, showing that even in the face of immense loss, the human spirit can endure and overcome.

The flowers will bloom in the battlegrounds once stained with the blood and sweat of the Mujahideen, symbolizing the resilience and rebirth of our land, honoring the bravery and sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom. These flowers, vibrant and full of life, will stand as living testaments to the transformation from war to peace, from despair to hope. They will serve as a reminder that out of the harshest conditions, beauty and renewal can emerge, honoring the bravery and sacrifices of the Mujahideen.

The scars of the bullet wounds from the past, etched deeply into our flesh and memories, will now begin to heal, marking the end of an era of pain and suffering. These scars, both physical and emotional, serve as reminders of the trials we have endured and the strength we have found within ourselves. As they heal, they signify the beginning of a new chapter, one where healing and growth replace pain and suffering. The wounds that once symbolized our struggles will now transform into marks of resilience and triumph, testament to our capacity to overcome adversity.

To our Mujahideen, the mothers, the widows, and the orphans, your strength, your sacrifices, and your unwavering hope have brought us to this moment. As we move forward, we carry your legacy with us, committed to building a world worthy of your dreams and sacrifices.

(This is a longer version of a poem I wrote back in 2019, during the result of the plebiscite in Cotabato City, titled ‘Bangsamoro Mujahideen.’)

to our forefathers;

who fought for our rights for golden years

who bled for peace even before we were born

who screamed for our freedom for decades

who died and dedicated their lives for the future and welfare of the Bangsa,

THANK YOU.

the tears of the mothers, the widows and the orphans will now turn into joy

the flowers will bloom in the battleground of the blood and sweat of the Mujahideen

the scars of the bullet wound from the past will now heal

to the survivors who continued the fight;

the war is over, you can now rest and start over.

no more running, no more hiding.

you can now take the streets and dance with your grandchildren without worries.

no more guns to carry, only pens to write new beginnings

this time, a beautiful one.

The Mujahideen fight for their way of life
They simply want to practice their religion
Follow their religion
And live in peace

The Soviets have no right to invade
And tell them how to live

Rocket propelled grenades
Were effectivey used at the Kandahar pass
Soviet tanks were sitting ducks
They met their end

Guerilla fighters
Walk and fight in the mountains
They mastered the ambush

The Battle of Arghandab
The Soviets attacked
An entrenched Mujahideen
The Afghan government forces often defected to the resistance

Some Soviet aircraft
Were shot down by Stinger missles
Provided by the U.S.

The Russian people were lied to
About what their military was doing there
They were told they were nation building

The war caused around one million civilian deaths
And the emigration of 5 to 10 million Afghans

1 million Afghans and 15,000 Soviet conscripts died
Fought with American guns

Foreign nations had tried for centuries to conquer Afghanistan
In the 1970's it became a focus for the superpowers

To Moscow, a friendly Afghanistan was important

Afghanistan's new leader looked to the Soviet Union for support
The Soviet Union sent advisors to advance socialism

Land was taken from large owners
And handed to the peasants who worked it

Women were encouraged to stop wearing veils
And were put into literacy classes with men

The reforms were seen to threaten ancient customs
And the authority of the Mullahs

The Mullah says,
"God has decided who is rich and who is poor,
It can't be changed by communists."

Opponents of the reforms
Burned down schools and universities
Resistant grew throughout the country

Iranians joined in
Calling for a Jihad
Against the communists

The U.S. thought
That the Soviets might use the Afghan crisis
To move south
And seize the oil of the Persian Gulf

Meanwhile the Shah of Iran was overthrown
The U.S. lost its most important ally in the region
The U.S. considered the possibility of a Soviet controlled Iran

Carter sent the Mujahideen equipment,
Mostly communication equipment
They were mostly peasants

Recruits for the Jihad walked for days
Across the mountains to reach the fighting

Soviet trained Afghan army
Thousands of men deserted
Kabul requested Soviet troops

Afghan president met with Soviet leader

The Soviets feared the spread of Islamic fundamentalism
Into Afghanistan from Iran
The Soviets felt they had to send troops to stabilize the region
Moscow hoped they could complete their mission in weeks

Moscow had Amin assassinated
They didn't like him talking with the Americans

At the United Nations
The invasion of the Soviet Union was condemned

The Soviets began with large sweeps
Their approach was a disaster
Mujahideen remained in the villages
Guerilla fighters remained in the mountains

Reagan stepped up aid to the Mujahideen

The Mujahideen were spilt along tribal lines
They sometimes fought each other

A war fought with our gold
And their blood
According to CIA man

The U.S. viewed the conflict in Afghanistan as an internal
Cold War struggle
The U.S. provided assistance to anti-Soviet forces
Through the Pakistani intelligent services

The Red Army changed tactics
And took to the air
Soviet commandos
Dropped in by helicopters

Soviet aircraft bombing indiscriminantly
Village after village pummeled into oblivion
Then overrun by Soviet troops
The village men who refused to join the Afghan army were murdered

Thousands of civilians killed in Soviet atrocities

The mujahideen attacked Soviet convoys
2,000 Soviets died each year
The war seemed pointless to the Soviet soldiers

The mujahideen favored sabotage operations and assassinations
The Stinger missiles were effective for them as well

Reagan said,
"To watch the courageous Afghan freedom fighters
Battle modern arsenals with simple hand-held weapons is an inspiration to those who love freedom."

The war lasted almost a decade
The early foundations of al-Qaeda
Were allegedly built on relationships
And weaponry that came from billions
Of dollars in U.S. support for the Mujahideen

Scholars have argued that Bin laden was outside
Of CIA eyesight
And that there is no support for the claim
That the CIA funded Bin Laden