TIMKANG,Jensie Kai B.

Lit101-C
05 May 2014
Path to Peace
Peace is a never-ending task and beyond the reach of humanity. Since the human race is
exceptionally persevering, optimist and competitive individuals, different recourses of finding
lasting peace and stability have incessantly used even though perceived in an altered way due
to the distinction of the nature of a person. Peace, indeed, embraces meanings in several
perspectives. One must have the broader understanding of peace to completely comprehend
my premise in this article. Two major methods in instituting peace will be discussed in the
succeeding paragraphs accompanied by its benefits and disadvantages. This article also
highlights the Parang Sabil epic, a story which encompasses the culture of Tausug particularly
their approach towards peace. The purpose of this composition is to tackle a larger scope of
peace and for the readers to decide which route towards serenity is more effective and
unbiased. Everyone is free to choose their own path. Everything in this article is a bit of
enlightenment, but actually a suggestion only.
The first method of achieving peace is through the use of coercive force. Peace through
war, according to Islam is conducted in a disciplined way so as to avoid injuring non-combatants
with the minimum necessary force and humane treatment towards prisoners and without any
grievances. Like for instance, the Muslim fundamentalist has their own Islamic teaching called
Jihad or Holy War. They are not trying to malevolently hurt others, but rather they are only
observing Gods commandments. And in doing so, they are guaranteeing themselves a place in
Paradise. In this sense Jihad is the struggle for the cause of disseminating Islam, using all means
available to Muslims, including violence. War in itself is not that bad. Victims may perceive it as
a barbaric act, but its goal or aim of engaging in war is what makes it immoral. The human race
was made to fight because of limited resources, variation of race, culture, and ethics. It is
indeed inevitable. War is hell, but the peace is worth the price. But why does an individual,
community or a nation willing to risk their lives for tranquillity? One is their duty to abide by
their cultures principle like what I mentioned earlier concerning Muslim fundamentalists. Due
to the cultural factors such as those that were trained as freedom fighters, they usually have
this mind-set that war is the best and quickest approach to conquer peace. Another is to regain
the authority or power over their community or nation from foreign colonizers. Others also
think that to fairly implement justice, the penalty must be with violence to equalize the great
torment they had received from aggressors. When humankind reach the extent that even
peaceful talks and agreements fail to accomplish its agenda, war also becomes their last resort
to peace. But the aftermath of this war, many innocent lives are lost, especially civilians under
forceful command. Resources worth a million are damaged. These may really happen,
especially when it arises out of ones vengeance or selfish motives. Hence, there is a tendency
that those defeated now may avenge tomorrow. In relation to the Parang Sabil epic, Putli Isara
and her fianc Abdulla risk their lives for the peace in their minds. In their culture, it is said that
Tausug name is more than fame. Tausug women are also conservative, that is, even physical
contact between opposite sex is forbidden. Since a Spanish soldier touched her intentionally
causing the loss of Isaras dignity, Abdulla feels the urge to seek the price of the act of disgrace
of the Spaniards. Another reason is to serve as a warning that whoever tries to belittle their
peaceful tribe may receive punishment. In the ancient era, Tausug resort this kind of way to
peace probably because of the lack of police and law enforcement. They dont have formal laws
written which must be known, if ever it has.
Prior to colonization by Spaniards and Americans in the Philippines, majority of Filipinos
are illiterate and lack the formal knowledge in handling disputes regarding peace. Most of them
prefer to fuel revolutions and bloody combats than a mere encouraging talk with the
oppressors. But in this contemporary world, a new path to peace has been created. This is the
peace through diplomacy. It is a kind of negotiation that involves the use of speech, whether
written or oral. This can be as powerful as a dagger that can hit a dozen of audience. Everyone
has this capacity and so peace is much more attainable compared to war that requires only
skilled armed forces. This can be exemplified through a quote saying the pen is mightier than
the sword. Moreover, the benefits of this kind of recourse it that no military action is necessary.
No blood was spurted. No resources were devastated. But only a new foundation of the
relationship between nation through peace treaties that can help to settle their legal matters.
On the other hand the disadvantages are the difficulty to write down or say your true aim
verbally. The tendency of being ignored is also one of the effects because most people fear
violence than words. Again, in the story Parang Sabil the characters didnt resort through
peaceful negotiations merely because of cultural factors, lack of formal education, and absence
of communication between other nationalities. There is also tension between the two
conflicting parties because of the greed of power over a territory.
Lasting peace is the ultimate necessity of mankind, yet with no certainty on being
rewarded. Historical events prove the inevitability of war. Every alternative has been crossed,
every path has been walked. But none of us can say that we are harmoniously living in this
complex world unless we wholly understand and accept people regardless of race, religion,
culture and other barriers that hinders people to merge into one peace-loving society.