When I was a growing-up kid in Cagayan de Oro between 1980-1991, I remember there was an organization called Mindanao Independence Movement (MIM) and its leader was a certain Reuben R. Canoy. If my recollections are correct, I have heard people saying that he was a Christian and tribal leader and a native of Cagayan de Oro. As a child, I have known MIM as a non-combat advocacy ally of the MNLF. As a child, I have also overheard from ordinary talks in our neighborhood that Reuben Canoy attempted to manufacture and circulate a new monetary currency of Mindanao and the government launched a systematic message to the people saying that he is "a mental case".
Not much was written in history about the MIM. But there is a hint that MIM could possibly be the "secret" umbrella organization of all independent movements in Mindanao. Dr. Samuel Tan, said in his article titled Understanding the Mindanao Conflict, that "... in the late 1970s the Independence aspiration of Mindanao was again revived by the Mindanao Independence Movement of Datu Udtog Matalam of Pagalungan Cotabato, Reuben Canoy of Cagayan de Oro, and Nur Misuari of the Moro National Liberation Front."
I would like to pay tribute to Reuben R. Canoy, a lawyer, broadcaster, author of the book "The Counterfeit Revolution: Martial Law in the Philippines", Mayor of Cagayan de Oro from 1972-1976, Opposition Senatorial Candidate in 2001 under LDP and coalition Pwersa ng Masa (rank 27 in the outcome with 3,542,460 votes).
In honor to the Mindanao Independence Movement (MIM), I will start reviving it with a logo.
