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Statement of Mindanao NGOs and Coalitions on the Peace Talks PDF Print E-mail
This week, the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front stood on the verge of signing an agreement touted to bring an end to the decades-long war in Mindanao in the Southern Philippines. This sparked an uproar and the Philippine Supreme Court subsequently stepped in to prevent the signing. Below is a statement from a number of mainly Mindanao-based as well as national peace coalitions and formations on the issue.

We speak in behalf of the women, children and the displaced civilian communities in Mindanao who stand to benefit from the successful conclusion of the GRP-MILF peace process.  We dare to speak because of dire survival.  For many decades now, our lives depict the curse of the so-called “collateral damage” in this long internecine armed conflict.  We want to finally put an end to the war in Mindanao.  We cannot allow this cycle of violence to further victimize our children and the next generation.
The Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court effectively stalled the signing of the MOA on Ancestral Domain.  While we consider this a major setback in our quest for peace, we are confident that the Supreme Court cannot allow itself to become a stumbling block in resolving a political conflict that requires a political solution.  We have a complete trust in the collective wisdom of the Supreme Court and by God’s will, Insha Allah, the Government Peace Panel will eventually be allowed to proceed with the signing of the MOA.

As we open the avenues for debate on the Ancestral Domain agenda, we beg everyone, especially politicians and the media, to let it proceed without resorting to demonizing the Muslims of this country.  This is a very dangerous practice that is reemerging and is one that can only fuel centuries-old biases and prejudices.

Let us not be afraid of change.  We definitely need to reverse the situation of violence, hatred, anger and trauma among the people in the conflict-affected areas.  This we have to do as we also need to correct the historical injustice committed against the Bangsamoro and indigenous peoples in Mindanao and in other regions in the country.  We support the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro people as a fundamental right recognized under international laws.   A clear scrutiny of the MOA will perhaps start the change that we need to do as we turn hatred to love, violence to peace and anger to forgiveness and reconciliation.

We also need to take into consideration some concerns of kindred organizations in Manila that the peace process could be used to initiate the Charter Change as this is admittedly required under the MOA.  Let it be clear however that based on the timeframe of the MOA, this will only proceed not earlier than 2010 and therefore could not anymore be used to promote whatever political interest that there may be, rightly or wrongly.  What is clear at this point is that the interests of the peace process and those who are against charter change, are not diametrically opposed.  We ourselves will not allow any political interest to tarnish the legitimacy and primacy of the peace process.

We definitely need more consultations, dialogues and information dissemination so that people can come up with well-informed positions on the MOA on AD.  This we commit to help in doing as we proceed in educating our people on the contents of the MOA.  Let the debate however proceed in the spirit of dialogue and utmost respect.  This is an appeal that we pose to everyone especially our politicians who in the past few days became willing mouthpiece in fuelling hatred and communal violence.   Let us all be responsible enough to tackle this issue in an intelligent and dispassionate manner, bearing in mind that we are all brothers and sisters, and Muslims in this country deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.


Mindanao Peoples Caucus

Peace Advocates Zamboanga

Mindanao Solidarity Network

Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society

Initiatives for International Dialogue

Immaculate Conception Parish

Peacebuilders Community
 
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