AJLPP Update

February 10.2008

Moro group hits GMA’s ‘timeline’ to end rebellion in Mindanao

Manila-- A ranking official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Central Committee has criticized President Arroyo for her recent speech at the local Peace and Security Assembly in Mindanao where she reiterated her 2010 “timeline to end armed rebellion” in the region without specifically stating the current government-MILF peace process as the main component.

Khaled Musa, deputy chairman for the MILF committee on information, noted that this angling and without direct reference to the peace process only show that Mrs. Arroyo is not really committed to solve the so-called Moro problem through a negotiated political solution.

He said the Chief Executive’s reference to “soft and hard power to reference to “soft and hard power to promote peace” plus increased military budget is an indication that the peace process is only a component of the government counter-insurgency program in the country.

“This policy reiteration on Mindanao jibed with the government’s latest proposal to the MILF that the two parties will sign the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain without the fourth strand, which is governance,” Musa, in a statement posted on Luwaran Web site, said.

The Moro group rejected the idea, saying the MILF will not sign the agreement without the strand on governance.

The government proposal was taken up during the latest round of talks in Kuala Lumpur, last February.

Mrs. Arroyo, in her speech, said “coupled with our increased budget for Mindanao is our new paradigm for peace in the island.”

She added her administration’s peace formula for Mindanao “has focused on a unique combination of soft and hard power to promote peace.”

“We have been able to meld together confidence-building measures grounded on strong interfaith dialogue and cultural awareness; investments in economic and basic infrastructure development; and mutual security arrangements to keep the peace in Mindanao,” she stressed.

“The terrorists stand in the way of bringing peace, stability and order to southern Philippines. We have decided we must wipe them out once and for all. They are a menace to peace,” the President said.

The Government of the Philippines and the MILF-Committees on Ceasefire and Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), however, have dismissed allegations that the peace process has already collapsed due to the perceived impasse on the peace talks.

Both chairman Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Sealana for the GRP-CCCH and Von Al Haq for the MILF-CCCH have assured that the negotiations are still on going and expressed confidence that the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Mindanao will be achieved soon.

The GRP-MILF-CCCH vowed to further strengthen collaboration with each other and all the stakeholders, particularly the local government units, in order to significantly complement the forging of a comprehensive solution to the Bangsamoro problem.

Maj. Gen. Datuk Mat Yasin of Malaysia, who heads the International Monitoring Team (IMT), cited the continuing high level of commitment, goodwill, spirit of harmony and friendship of the joint CCCH in pursuing the ceasefire and the peace process.

He also appealed to make peace and prosperity not only a matter of discussion but a normal part of life, particularly in Mindanao in order to ensure and sustain national and regional stability.

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, for his part, assured that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is fully committed to the national agenda of upholding the primacy of the peace process and nurturing the seeds of peace in resolving the decades-old conflict in Mindanao.

The Philippine Army chief emphasized that peace is synonymous with development and should be the concern of everybody.

The GRP-MILF-CCCH issued a joint statement that they have agreed to conduct further dialogues and peace advocacy initiatives in promoting confidence-building and goodwill for the peace process between and among the stakeholders, including the international community.

Both committees viewed with concern recent incidents which resulted in the arrest, death and destruction of properties of their members and civilians.

They agreed to take immediate action on the matters by conducting joint fact-finding inquiries in order to come up with mutually acceptable courses of action through, among others, consultations and coordination with concerned authorities.

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