Gumbay Piang (21st Century Crisis)

Tun Sri Ahmad Salamal Salahuddin (Jawi: تون سري احمد سلامال صلاح الدين, September 1, 1912 - December 1, 1979) was a Philippine politician and Moro nationalist who found the Parti Kebangsaan Mindanao or the "Mindanao Nationalist Party". He led Mindanao and Sulu's independance struggle, he found and served as the first President of the de facto Republic of Mindanao.

Born into Maranaoan royal descent in Marawi City, Ahmad Salahuddin fought the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and led well-coordinated insurgencies against Japanese forces in Mindanao. In 1945, he refused to acknowledge Mindanao as Philippine territory, and thus-began the insurgencies against Filipino occupation.

Influenced by Indonesia's independance movements, Salahuddin spent time in the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia) to gain inspiration where he eventually recieved counsel from Sukarno who would become his mentor. He also spent time in Indonesia to learn Malay, since he preferred Malay to become the Republic of Mindanao's national language. He supported Indonesia's independance movement, and in turn, recieved the support of Indonesian nationalists.

Upon his return to Mindanao, he declared an independant republic and in 1946 after his return from the Dutch East Indies, and in 1949 eventually united the peoples of Mindanao whether they be Muslim, Christian or any religion to establish the Mindanao Nationalist Party. He served as the Commander in Chief of the Mindanao Free Army.

Fighting through four presidencies, the Republic of Mindanao was ended in 1967 during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos when the Mindanao Free Army signed a treaty with the Philippine government, brokered by Indonesia. However, he retained political influence in the Southern Philippines. In 1968, he was elected to become the Governer-General of Mindanao. He was the first Muslim to attain a high position such as this.

Though failing to gain independance from the Philippines, Salahuddin was and is still regarded a cultural and political hero for people of the Southern Philippines. He is known as being the protecting father of native southern Filipino culture, who resisted attempts to Latinize the south. In 1979, he died of old age and his funeral was attended by thousands of people which he requested at will for the commoners to be at his funeral. He was buried in his home city of Marawi City where a mausoleum was built in his honor. Even Villa Ortiz, the former leader of the Conservative Party (a political enemy of the Mindanao Nationalist Party), attended his funeral to pay his respects.

There are many places and parks in Mindanao named after him, and built in his honor, A memorial park, known as the Salahuddin Merdaka Memorial Park was built in honor of Mindanao's independance strugge. The Salahuddin International Airport in Cotabato City was built in his honor as well.

Childhood
Ahamad was born to Omar Salahuddin and Zeinab Salahuddin on September 1, 1912 in Marawi City in the Moro Province. The family was largely agrarian, and his father was a wealthy landlord and a chief.