Stop talking peace – Moro youth urges GRP, MILF

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By Muhair Abdullah

November 7, 2010 - "There will be no future in a negotiation if one side is not sincere," thus commented a group of Moro youth who joined yesterday’s mass action in the Simuay junction in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao province.

“The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) must stop the peace talks and re-evaluate their commitment and sincerity to the peace process because nothing happened so far,” said Datuan Magon, a senior officer of the United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD).

“We taught the government already learned lessons from the Arroyo experience in dealing with the serious political and sovereignty-based problem in Mindanao,” Magon, who was also part of crafting of the Philippine Implementing Rules and Regulations on the Anti-Torture Law, added.

Magon claimed the so-called “Mindanao situation” has worsened as illegal arrests and killings have become more and more raging resulting more sufferings in the ground.

“Where will P-Noy (President Benigno Aquino III) be bringing the nation?” asked Magon.

Another group of Moro youth expressed worry that even the youth now are no longer safe because the police and the military are targeting minors for illegal arrest in exchange of reward money.

“Human rights defenders are also receiving death threats,” Magon said further.

The Moro youth group also warned the Philippine government that if the solution to the political problem in Mindanao will not be resolved today, they are more than willing to continue the struggle until the end.

The said group said they joined the public and peaceful assemblies as a manifestation of their willingness to become part of democratic and peaceful solution to the Mindanao problem.

“Should the situation force us to take any other course, at least we have exhausted all peaceful means,” said the group.

Attended by thousands of Moro people from all walks of life, the Bangsamoro Mass Action for Justice, called, among other things, for the immediate release of civilians and MILF leaders who have been victims of illegal arrests.

Raby Angkal, the spokesperson of the group claimed that “the Bangsamoro people have been dismayed and seriously disappointed over President Aquino’s lack of sincerity and political will to resolve the Bangsamoro question through negotiated political settlement.”

Angkal said “no sign of any attempt to continue the talks can be heard; instead, preparation of war by the GRP against the MILF is now very visible, numbers of soldiers are increasing day by day and MILF leaders and members are being indiscriminately arrested including civilians.”

The mass action was spearheaded by independent and non-partisan network of people’s organizations, nongovernment organizations and such other groups as business, religious and professionals as well as concerned individuals from Cotabato City and nearby provinces.