Chief Moro negotiator sheds tears for peace

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 10): Chief Moro negotiator sheds tears for peace

.... Besides the demand for self-rule in the pretext of a substate for the Moros, the MILF gave up a lot of concessions: dropped its objections to all of these major points of contention: plebiscite, congressional imprimatur for the basic law, ARMM elections for 2013, and governmental say in the composition of the Transition Commission.  The MILF also reconsidered its hardline position seeking constitutional amendments to legitimize either a parliamentary or a federal form of government. The government panel, for its part, gave in to the MILF’s demand for the use of “Bangsamoro” to describe the new Moro homeland; recognize Bangsamoro identity to correct historical injustices; and accept the “asymmetric” relationship between the national government and the Bangsamoro. The government also accepted changes in the phraseology of the framework agreement such as “normalization” instead of DDR, which stands for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, a term for postconflict peace consolidation. “They will not accept surrender, disarmament [in the agreement], so we left it out,” Leonen said, adding that the MILF had “dignity and pride” to preserve, as well. But the MILF, for the first time, agreed to a “graduated program for decommissioning of its forces so that they are put beyond use,” short for phased and gradual disarmament. In sum, he said: “They changed their positions; we conceded a lot of language.”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/286726/chief-moro-negotiator-sheds-tears-for-peace