MIndanao on their minds (part 2)

During the Paminaw sa Mindanaw (Listen to Mindanao) forum with the presidentiables last April 16 at the Holy Cross College in Davao City, presidential candidates Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, Brother Eddie Villanueva, Nicanor “Nicky” Perlas, and Juan Carlo “JC” de los Reyes listened and responded to the concerns raised by representatives of the diverse Mindanao sectors and constituents.

Discussed were the peace process, the right to self-determination (RSD), Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Doman, and federalism. Former Commissioner Nasser Marohomsalic of the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy represented the Muslim communities, asking the candidates whether they would support constitutional amendment and introduce a political system such as federalism to address the demands of the Muslim liberation fronts on the right to self determination (RSD) and ancestral domain (which is also a concern of the indigenous peoples).

Marohomsalic: “The conflict in the south owes its origins to the resistance of the Bangsamoro against foreign colonialism which began in the 1500s. The insurgency of the MNLF and the MILF is its contemporary episode, this time, against Imperial Manila. Despite superior weapons and number, Spain and America failed to bring the Muslims to their civilizations. Martial law under Marcos did not defeat their insurgency. Estrada’s total war policy only worsened the condition, causing massive internal displacement. Peace talks only brought temporary respite. What, in your opinion, is the reason why this conflict eludes solution? Is it a question of insincerity on the part of government or lack of resolve? Or is it the lack of understanding or appreciation by government of the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro?”

Nicky Perlas noted that peace is elusive because of the extreme poverty suffered by the Muslim communities, the areas least served by government. He would support the RSD and provide an adequate budget to implement a peace plan. On the failed Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain, Nicky said that the concept of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity should be well defined. He would support federalism but Charter change should only be done thru a constitutional convention (after the Arroyo administration).

Brother Eddie said peace is elusive because of the absence of mutual trust. He pointed to the obvious insincerity of the parties involved in complying with the terms of their agreement, which has led to renewed armed conflicts. Brother Eddie, who has signed a covenant with the MNLF to respect RSD, will also have one with MILF and the IPs. He agreed with Perlas that federalism can be considered as a political system for the Philippines, but only thru a constitutional convention. Brother Eddie capped his discussion by stressing that the wounds of Mindanao can only be healed if the government is sincere.

If JC is elected President, he would sit on the peace panel. He would support enhanced autonomy and respect subsidiarity to address the demands of the Moro liberation fronts for the right to self-determination. JC believes that military men should not serve on peace panels as their traumas from war may color their views of the negotiations.

Gibo Teodoro cautioned that the government must approach conflict from the legal framework. In the case of the MOA-AD, he stressed that the any agreement on ancestral domain must respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state, unless the Philippine Constitution is amended (thus leaving the door ajar to an agreement on the MOAAD under a GIBO presidency) On federalism, he emphasized that it should be granted to local governments that are ready. Otherwise, governance will be dysfunctional. (To say that Gibo is not favorably impressed by the ARMM is an understatement. But then, neither are the citizens of ARMM).

In the meantime, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have arrived at a consensus on additional initiatives during their 18th Exploratory Talks between held on April 20 to 21, 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

We at the PCID acknowledge the efforts of the members of the peace panels, both from the GRP and the MILF parties, to accomplish initiatives that would further the goals of a peaceful Mindanao. Since the recommencement of the formal talks on December 8-9, 2009, the parties have steadily supported the peace process through effectively suspending aggression and hostilities, helping to reintegrate those who have been displaced, introducing international and local bodies aimed at bolstering talks and improving ground security, and lastly, through the introduction of the initiatives to embark on a Final Comprehensive Compact.

The Mindanao Peoples Caucus issued a statement welcoming the GRP-MILF initiatives and appealed “to all groups and sectors especially politicians and church leaders to refrain from issuing statements that would undermine the laudable efforts of the peace panels of both government and MILF.” The MPC cautioned leaders from “issuing false statements that could just create unnecessary anxiety among the communities who bore the negative consequences of these irresponsible remarks and false assumptions about the interim agreement.”

We now await the responses of those who aspire to lead the nation.


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Amina Rasul
Lead Convenor,
Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy
Trustee, Magbassa Kita Foundation Inc
Room 307
Continental Court
47 Annapolis St
Greenhills, San Juan City
Philippines