Richard Fernandez returns to The Philippines to write a fascinating essay about the century old Muslim insurgency in the southern parts of the island nation:

Dalasi, the King of Bulig had crossed from Basilan with a hundred ships. Three thousand kris-wielding Muslims closed in on on all sides of the fort to annihilate the Spaniards. Amid the noise of battle, a desperate council was held in the Spanish commander’s quarters. One priest volunteered to descend the walls by rope. He evaded the Moro pickets, stole one of Dalasi’s sailing vessels and made his way alone five hundred miles north to Manila to get reinforcements. Dalasi was killed and Fort Pilar beat back a two-month siege. The garrison’s survival was considered a miracle by the local community. But though that battle of Zamboanga was over the Moro war continued. It continues to this day.

It is revealing to note that successive presidents in Manila have never been able to either quell or settle the conflict. And as Fernandez reports, the initiative may now be firmly in the hands of the Muslim forces, funded through various overseas sources.

Tomorrow you can read Part II.