Mindanao, the Land of Promise, fascinates because of politics and riches.

Politics because the separatists MILF and MNLF plus the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf thrive there and had, one time or another, made use of the over 40 training enclaves in Mindanao as virtual universities of international terror.

Mindanao is such an important factor in the global war of terror that the US and other nations are doing covert espionage work even though the "all out war" of Erap in 2000 drove the militants to pitch headquarters in Indonesia.

Riches, because mining potential in the land of Mindanao runs to billions of dollars in value and the energy and oil substitutes near the Surigao Deep run up to mind-boggling trillions of dollars. That's why research work on them has been largely cloak and dagger types, straight out of Ludlum's and Fleming's books.

Because of civilian support for the Abu Sayyaf (in the past) because they portrayed themselves as the Robin Hoods, the good guys and Muslim vigilantes, this is Mindanao's first problem.

The Abu Sayyaf, named after (6'3 footer and 250 pounder Abdul Rasul Sayyaf) legendary warrior and founder of the Afghan Islamic Movement (with its training camps) is well funded. Some come from Mr. Bad Guy (Osama Bin Laden) plus part of the US$25-million ransom money paid for hostages through these many years. Unwittingly, media also helped by giving money for interviews as CNN did for P50,000 for a single coverage.

With that kind of money, they could afford to hire even child combatants for P50,000 or (about US$1,000). The foxholes, high powered artillery and grenades, training and propaganda came from this cache of funds.

The second problem in Mindanao is the MILF - the breakaway and more pugnacious separatist group who linked up with the Abu Sayyaf for training and mayhem. They continue to be a nuisance - just last week opening a giant hole in the underbelly of a North Cotabato prison cell that caused many MILF members and criminals to escape prison.

The third problem is the MNLF whom President Fidel Ramos had the fortunate (or unfortunate) chance to sign a Peace Agreement with Nur Misuari in 1996. Misuari eventually became governor of the ARMM but his tarnished reputation stopped with the development of his own bank account and not the region, according to critics.

Misuari is now under house arrest but remains to have considerable influence with the powerful Muslim tribe called the Tausugs. He sports a double face - one chanting the mantra of peace, the other clothed with violent and bad intentions. He refused to acknowledge he had knowledge - or tacit approval - of the MNLF attack of Sulu in 2005 that killed 150 people.

Just a few days back, the MILF "hostaged" two government officials and 20 men just to ensure that the Tripartite Agreement among the GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines), the MNLF (with Misuari as spokesman) and the Organization of Islamic Conference will be held soon. The incident, often called the "MILF Tantrum" saw the detention of General Mohamad Benjamin Dolorfino (converted Muslim government Peace Maker) and undersecretary for peace Process Ramon Santos for 50 hours until the assurance was made by Government for a meeting on the Tripartite Agreement to take place. That meeting has been postponed several times.

Though treated well, unlike POWs (prisoners of war), the 22 were detained for 50 hours against their will with ill-tempered MNLF boss Habier Malik throwing fits - if not threats - when he could not get his way. No amount of sumptuous meals and lechon baka can justify those acts.

The MNLF - for that clear blackmail act - got cash, food and publicity from the government it is waging war against. The Government appeared like a wimp here - kowtowing to a braggart who, having found no law to pound on, no facts to pound on - simply pounded on the table - and Government blinked.

Since this class A blackmail gave them the Jeddah Saudi Arabia tripartite meeting, what will the MILF ask - release Misuari who is presently criminally charged and languishing in his house arrest?

Where does all this "bending backwards" bring us to?

To be sure, our faces don't light up like neon lights when we hear the festering problem of Mindanao - for the island had suffered too much for too long. Even in mainstream political participation, it had produced fewer senators and never a Philippine president (with VP Emmanuel Pelaez closest to the presidency but was ambushed before the declaration of Martial Law).

The war of steel and food - for the hearts and minds of the people in Mindanao - is a tough one, given the many antecedents of treacherous attacks, unfulfilled promises and bad faith from both sides of the fence.

AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon, under whose tour of duty, the heads of Abu leaders Janjalani and Solaiman were figuratively severed to totem poles, believes Government must address the root problems of dissent. Not addressing the issues of "poverty, corruption and injustice" will make peace in Mindanao just another "pipe dream."

What military success would remain "hollow victories" if the final answer to the Mindanao war like peace and development especially in the poorest sitios of the ARMM (Autonomous Regions of Muslim Mindanao). People there starve for food or die without medicines and doctors. The only way to combat the attraction away from banditry, separatism and support for terrorism is to build wharves and better roads, setting up schools with computers and more livelihood program (not dole outs).

We understand there exists a US-AID-funded "Growth with Equity Program" for the Mindanao area. Who will be creative enough to move these locomotives for development fast?

That there have been many ceasefires in Mindanao only confirms that the war is not really over. A ceasefire can only be called in times of war.

That there have been many clamors for peaceful settlement of the many religious and socio-political debates in the Land of Promise, confirms there indeed is conflict - for it is only those who are at war who clamor for peace.

To say the least, the problems affecting the Abu Sayyaf, MILF and the MNLF are separate, not equal and disparate.

It would be a tragedy for Government to mistake one for the other and a fatal wrong to apply a uniform solution to all three.