The Uighurs are an ethnic group composed mostly of Muslim people who want their territory, the Xinjiang province in western China, to become independent. In their claim for self-rule and self-determination, they have ‘staged bombings and other attacks against Chinese police, government, and military targets.’

Perhaps because the Uighurs call their homeland in China as East Turkestan (places suffixed with –tan or, maybe, -stan are apparently suspect), some of them were captured in Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2001 and incarcerated along with the so-called terrorists at the height of what became the ubiquitous crackdown known as the eponymous ‘war on terror.’ The Uighurs were accused of being militants seeking training in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Among the inmates at Guantanamo, the Uighurs paid a comparatively simpler price from the menu of punishments inflicted on terror suspects. They were merely held in isolation in Camp Six, a ‘supermax’ facility. They were held for 22 hours a day in cells without natural light, consequently leading to a ‘serious decline in the Uighur’s mental health.’ But, here’s the rub. Even after they were no longer classed as ‘enemy combatants’ and were approved for release, they continued to be held in solitary confinement.

Because Guantanamo is closing down (the move is just a little bit stalled because Obama is being denied the funds needed for the close down), Gitmo detainees are being farmed out to whoever would want to take them (within the US and in other countries). The U.S. isn’t considering bringing back these Uighurs to China for fear they may be persecuted, as they are clearly deemed by the communist regime as dangerous separatists.

Canada and Australia had already earlier expressed reluctance in providing asylum to the Guantanamo Uighurs mostly to avoid retaliation from China that has been demanding that these persons be returned to the country. China has declared that it will not look kindly at any nation that accepts these Uighurs. Germany is changing its mind, as well, whereas it was earlier willing to accept some of the Uighurs.

These Uighurs can’t be ‘thrown’ to Africa, either, because, as we have noticed by now, China is Africa’s hegemon. The ‘Made in China’ phenomenon is quite big in the African continent and found almost anywhere: from Sudan’s Shenyang F-7 fighter jets to Mugabe’s bathroom slippers with plaited lily leaves.

The tiny Pacific island nation of Palau has recently volunteered to take these Uighurs when Guantanamo closes. Palau President Johnson Toribiong said his country would be “honored and proud” to take the detainees as a “humanitarian gesture.” Palau, he said, had “agreed to accommodate the United States of America’s request” to “temporarily resettle” the detainees, “subject to periodic review.”

Even after the US pledged $200 million in aid to one of the least populated countries on earth, these Guantanamo Uighurs may not really leave Cuba for Palau. Some Palau residents have expressed their fear of the former prisoners. The proposed resettlement of these Chinese Muslims has even ‘sparked anger among islanders who fear for the safety of the tranquil tourist haven.’ If you’re an entire nation with all of 21,000 in population, every single complaint can be heard.

These Guantanamo Uighurs are being tossed about even before they even see any high seas.

America isn’t the enemy of the Uighurs; China is. Such is the fate of global untouchables made victims by the ‘terrorist’ stigma. (With much difficulty, I’m restraining myself from putting in superlative modifiers here.)

So, no one to take them, these Guantanamo Uighurs can stay in my house.

The Philippines is as much a paradise as Palau is (only 500 miles between the two countries). I have two huge spare rooms in my hillside home that overlooks Metro Manila (lots of sunshine and natural light!). I cook a mean mushroom-rice pilaf with braised tofu. For their delectation, I can always prepare tapioca pudding. They would love my sinaing na tulingan (slow-cooked Philippine round tuna) and nilasing na hipon (beer-braised prawns). For their delectation, I can always prepare our favorite thirst quencher of sweetened tapioca balls and diced agar-agar (seaweed) jello over crushed ice.

Heck, even if they were found to be experts at breaking down an AK-47, it doesn’t matter to me. I doubt if they can ‘break down’ the home-made improvised Philippine firearm called sumpak. Even high-tech US soldiers (in guerrilla warfare training in Philippine jungles) are baffled at how this weapon is made.