US keeps Mindanao

When the US granted independence to the Philippines, a number of Muslim leaders in Mindanao asked the US to keep Mindanao. The US opted not to. What if they had decided--partially for natural resource reasons--to keep Mindanao? How does the addition of a largely Muslim territory effect US politics, and the politics of the Philippines?
 
When the US granted independence to the Philippines, a number of Muslim leaders in Mindanao asked the US to keep Mindanao. The US opted not to. What if they had decided--partially for natural resource reasons--to keep Mindanao? How does the addition of a largely Muslim territory effect US politics, and the politics of the Philippines?

They'll keep it for a while, but by this time, I don't think political boundaries can be overcome to keep the island forever or to make it a state. Mindanao is granted independence after a while.
 

Thande

Donor
But a divided Philippines also has consequences down the line. One could argue that a Muslim state historically friendly with the US might affect the current world situation, but there are some counter-arguments to that, like Bosnia.
 
They'll keep it for a while, but by this time, I don't think political boundaries can be overcome to keep the island forever or to make it a state. Mindanao is granted independence after a while.
Or commonwealth status. That's what Puerto Rico has, after all.

But like Thande said, butterflies. The US government and armed forces, at least, would have increased understanding/experience dealing with muslims, as commonwealth citizens can and do serve in the US military. So at least from conflicts like Vietnam, more American troops would serve with muslims and take that experience back home with them.
 
If US keeps Mindanao, since I am Filipino citizen, Philippines without Mindanao would be a stable country and economically progressive because there is no rebellion by the Muslims and if Mindanao is still in US hands, Mindanao would be a commonwealth status like in Puerto Rico and Mindanao would be predominantly Muslim because commonwealth of Mindanao would be in favor to the Muslims than to the Christians.
 
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