Rashid Lucman

Haroun al-Rashid Lucman (June 23, 1924 – July 21, 1984) was a Filipino legislator, journalist, World War II guerilla hero, and an early proponent of Moro independence or autonomy. As congressional representative of Lanao del Sur, he is best remembered for calling for the impeachment of Ferdinand Marcos in 1968 as a result of the President's role in the Jabidah Massacre, in which government troops massacred 68 Tausug military trainees. When the congress could not muster enough support for the impeachment, Lucman grew convinced that Muslim Mindanao needed to become independent, and founded the Bangsamoro Liberation Organization (BMLO), which later merged with the Moro National Liberation Front.^[1][2]

Career during World War II

At the outset of World War II in the Philippines, Lucman fought alongside the US Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). After the surrender of US forces in the Philippines, Lucman organized the first guerrilla force in Mindanao, engaging in numerous battles against the Japanese Imperial forces.^[1]

Political career

Because of his war record, Lucman was appointed deputy governor for Lanao del Sur in 1944, serving until 1949 when he left to work as correspondent for the Manila Chronicle. He returned to politics in 1953, then served as regional development officer of the Convention on National Integration at Marawi City from 1959 to 1961. In 1961 he was elected congressman of Lanao del Sur in 1961, serving until 1969.^[1]

Lucman's call to impeach Marcos

Lucman was serving in congress on 18 March 1968, when the Jabidah massacre took place. The Marcos administration had gathered a group of Tausug recruits for an operation called "Project Merdeka" (merdeka being the Malay "freedom"). The military began training them on the island of Corregidor to form a secret commando unit called "Jabidah," which would destabilize and take over Sabah.^[1]

After Congress

In 1971, he joined Senator Mamintal Tamano, Congressman Ali Dimaporo, Congressman Salipada Pendatun, University of the Philippines College of Arts and Sciences Dean Cesar Adib Majul, Delegate Ahmad Alonto, Commissioner Datu Mama Sinsuat, and Mayor Aminkadra Abubakar to form the Islamic Directorate of the Philippines.^[1]

Martial Law and self-exile

In 1972, with the declaration of martial law by President Ferdinand Marcos, Lucman fled to the Middle East.^[1]

Ninoy Aquino and Moro autonomy discussions

In exile, Lucman worked with opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. Aquino began discussing plans for Moro autonomy with Lucman, as an alternative to full Moro independence.^[1]

Death

The shock of Ninoy Aquino's assassination took its toll on Lucman's health, and he died the following year in Riyadh. It was 1984 – before the establishment of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 1989 under Aquino's widow President Corazon Aquino.^[1]

Legacy

In 2006, his name was inscribed on the Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City.^[1]