From GMANews (Oct 12): PNP heightens alert in some Mindanao areas as anti-Bangsamoro forces move
The Philippine National Police will be on full alert in some regions in Mindanao in time for the signing of a framework peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), following reports on "movements" by some groups opposed to the agreement in Sulu province. But PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. was quick to say that the heightening of the alert level was due to the expected arrival of foreign dignitaries to witness the signing, which will be on Monday in Malacañang.... On Friday, Sulu Governor Abdusakar Tan said he has received information regarding "movements" of some factions of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) that are opposed to the agreement.... Tan also said at present, no untoward incident had occurred in any part of Sulu.....
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/277970/news/nation/pnp-heightens-alert-in-some-mindanao-areas-as-anti-bangsamoro-forces-move
Friday, October 12, 2012
Massive info drive on Mindanao peace deal set
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 12): Massive info drive on
Mindanao peace deal set
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will spend about P10 million on a massive information campaign aimed at making ordinary people understand what the framework agreement is all about. ARMM Governor-in-charge Mujiv Hataman said on Friday the information drive could start after President Aquino and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) representatives sign the agreement, aimed at ending the Moro rebellion in the south, on Monday. “We don’t want a repeat of the past mistake,” Hataman said, referring to the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), which was heavily criticized and which was eventually stricken down by the Supreme Court....
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/287804/massive-info-drive-on-mindanao-peace-deal-set
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will spend about P10 million on a massive information campaign aimed at making ordinary people understand what the framework agreement is all about. ARMM Governor-in-charge Mujiv Hataman said on Friday the information drive could start after President Aquino and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) representatives sign the agreement, aimed at ending the Moro rebellion in the south, on Monday. “We don’t want a repeat of the past mistake,” Hataman said, referring to the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), which was heavily criticized and which was eventually stricken down by the Supreme Court....
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/287804/massive-info-drive-on-mindanao-peace-deal-set
Misuari vows to ‘never forgive’ peace panel, says summoned by OIC
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 12): Misuari vows to ‘never forgive’ peace panel, says summoned by OIC
Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari on Thursday vowed to “never forgive” the peace panel behind the framework peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and disclosed that he was summoned by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). “The Bangsamoro people will remember October 12 and October 15, these days when they manipulated the so-called talks that ended in what they claimed as Framework Agreement. October 12 is the day when they signed the agreement in Malaysia and October 15 is another signing of agreement in the Philippines and the Bangsamoro people will never forgive these people,” said Misuari in his home where he was preparing to meet MNLF commanders from various areas in Mindanao....
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/287828/misuari-vows-to-never-forgive-peace-panel-says-summoned-by-oic
Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari on Thursday vowed to “never forgive” the peace panel behind the framework peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and disclosed that he was summoned by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). “The Bangsamoro people will remember October 12 and October 15, these days when they manipulated the so-called talks that ended in what they claimed as Framework Agreement. October 12 is the day when they signed the agreement in Malaysia and October 15 is another signing of agreement in the Philippines and the Bangsamoro people will never forgive these people,” said Misuari in his home where he was preparing to meet MNLF commanders from various areas in Mindanao....
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/287828/misuari-vows-to-never-forgive-peace-panel-says-summoned-by-oic
MILF set to sign framework deal amid protests
From the Philippine Star (Oct 12): MILF set to sign framework deal amid protests
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is set to sign the “framework agreement” with the government for the establishment of the new Bangsamoro political entity amid oppositions citing the deal contained ambiguous provisions. Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF political chair, called critics to give peace a chance, citing that the agreement would help stabilize peace and bring development not just in the Muslim region but in the whole of Mindanao. He told local radio that the MILF hierarchy has been prepared and ready for the signing on Monday in Malacanang....
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=543&articleId=858760
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is set to sign the “framework agreement” with the government for the establishment of the new Bangsamoro political entity amid oppositions citing the deal contained ambiguous provisions. Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF political chair, called critics to give peace a chance, citing that the agreement would help stabilize peace and bring development not just in the Muslim region but in the whole of Mindanao. He told local radio that the MILF hierarchy has been prepared and ready for the signing on Monday in Malacanang....
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=543&articleId=858760
Sulu governor wary of MNLF troop movements; BIFM denies any plot to disrupt Bangsamoro roadmap
From InterAksyon (Oct 12): Sulu governor wary of MNLF troop movements; BIFM denies any plot to disrupt Bangsamoro roadmap
Troop movements among members of the Moro National Liberation Front have been taking place in Sulu amid the MNLF's protest over the framework agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), according to provincial governor Abdusakur Tan. “MNLF Commanders are making their rounds in some parts of Sulu, I was able to talk to them and sinabi ko na pagbigyan nila tayo tungo sa kapayapaan [and I told them to give us a chance for peace]. I also sent word to my brother Chairman Nur Misuari and done of these days, mag-uusap kami [we will talk],” Tan said in a recent statement. Tan added that he had sent word to Misuari to calmly resolve any misunderstanding for "genuine peace in Sulu and the whole of Mindanao." Despite the movements, no untoward incident has occurred in Sulu, according to Tan....
.... Meanwhile the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement belied government intelligence reports suggesting that the BIFM - a splinter group from the MILF - is plotting to sow disorder and disrupt the agreement between the government and the MILF for the creation of a Bangsamoro autonomous entity. BIFM spokesperson Abu Misri Mimi said his organization respects the pact between the government and the MILF. He said the BIFM would have nothing to lose if the agreement proves to be the answer to their long-awaited dream of having an "independent" Bangsamoro state. But Misri was quick to add that while the BIFM respects the agreement, it doesn't necessarily mean that the group would lay down its arms. The BIFM spokesperson said the group would only stop their armed struggle if it is convinced that Bangsamoro has indeed gained independence and that it has its own laws based on the Koran, the sacred writings of the Islam. For now, the BIFM said it will keep an eye on the developments in the framework agreement between the MILF and the government.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/45378/sulu-governor-wary-of-mnlf-troop-movements-bifm-denies-any-plot-to-disrupt-bangsamoro-roadmap
Troop movements among members of the Moro National Liberation Front have been taking place in Sulu amid the MNLF's protest over the framework agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), according to provincial governor Abdusakur Tan. “MNLF Commanders are making their rounds in some parts of Sulu, I was able to talk to them and sinabi ko na pagbigyan nila tayo tungo sa kapayapaan [and I told them to give us a chance for peace]. I also sent word to my brother Chairman Nur Misuari and done of these days, mag-uusap kami [we will talk],” Tan said in a recent statement. Tan added that he had sent word to Misuari to calmly resolve any misunderstanding for "genuine peace in Sulu and the whole of Mindanao." Despite the movements, no untoward incident has occurred in Sulu, according to Tan....
.... Meanwhile the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement belied government intelligence reports suggesting that the BIFM - a splinter group from the MILF - is plotting to sow disorder and disrupt the agreement between the government and the MILF for the creation of a Bangsamoro autonomous entity. BIFM spokesperson Abu Misri Mimi said his organization respects the pact between the government and the MILF. He said the BIFM would have nothing to lose if the agreement proves to be the answer to their long-awaited dream of having an "independent" Bangsamoro state. But Misri was quick to add that while the BIFM respects the agreement, it doesn't necessarily mean that the group would lay down its arms. The BIFM spokesperson said the group would only stop their armed struggle if it is convinced that Bangsamoro has indeed gained independence and that it has its own laws based on the Koran, the sacred writings of the Islam. For now, the BIFM said it will keep an eye on the developments in the framework agreement between the MILF and the government.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/45378/sulu-governor-wary-of-mnlf-troop-movements-bifm-denies-any-plot-to-disrupt-bangsamoro-roadmap
Some MILF rebels don't want to give up arms despite peace deal with gov't
From InterAksyon (Oct12): Some MILF rebels don't want to give up arms despite peace deal with gov't
After watching two of his brothers die during four decades of fighting in the southern Philippines, Muslim rebel Abdulhamid Ganalan feels a planned peace deal could be surrender. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leaders are set to sign an accord with the government on Monday that will aim to end the rebellion by 2016, but the guerrilla said he and his subordinates did not want to give up their arms. "I will not agree. That is like full surrender," Ganalan told AFP from inside Camp Darapanan, the MILF's administrative headquarters, when asked whether he would lay down his weapons as part of a peace accord. Ganalan, who is a senior member of an MILF elite security detail guarding rebel chief Murad Ebrahim, said he had invested all his life in the rebellion and years of fierce fighting had taught him one lesson. "There is no surrender," said Ganalan, who is in his 50s and whose wiry battle-scarred body is a testament to hard living on the war zone....
.... MILF brigade chief Guiazakallaha Jaafar, 28, who boasts of 3,000 fighters under his command, said he and his men believed their leaders would not order them disarmed without without consensus from key officers. He likened himself to "a fighting cock without spurs" if he no longer had a weapon. Jaafar said they would consent to be transformed into a police force or a special militia unit under the envisioned MILF autonomy. "They can make us into a police force, or village watchers, even militia units. But they can not just take away our guns," he said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/45385/some-milf-rebels-dont-want-to-give-up-arms-despite-peace-deal-with-govt
After watching two of his brothers die during four decades of fighting in the southern Philippines, Muslim rebel Abdulhamid Ganalan feels a planned peace deal could be surrender. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leaders are set to sign an accord with the government on Monday that will aim to end the rebellion by 2016, but the guerrilla said he and his subordinates did not want to give up their arms. "I will not agree. That is like full surrender," Ganalan told AFP from inside Camp Darapanan, the MILF's administrative headquarters, when asked whether he would lay down his weapons as part of a peace accord. Ganalan, who is a senior member of an MILF elite security detail guarding rebel chief Murad Ebrahim, said he had invested all his life in the rebellion and years of fierce fighting had taught him one lesson. "There is no surrender," said Ganalan, who is in his 50s and whose wiry battle-scarred body is a testament to hard living on the war zone....
.... MILF brigade chief Guiazakallaha Jaafar, 28, who boasts of 3,000 fighters under his command, said he and his men believed their leaders would not order them disarmed without without consensus from key officers. He likened himself to "a fighting cock without spurs" if he no longer had a weapon. Jaafar said they would consent to be transformed into a police force or a special militia unit under the envisioned MILF autonomy. "They can make us into a police force, or village watchers, even militia units. But they can not just take away our guns," he said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/45385/some-milf-rebels-dont-want-to-give-up-arms-despite-peace-deal-with-govt
Army justifies arrest of 2 rebels
From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 12): Army justifies
arrest of 2 rebels
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division yesterday justified the arrest of two suspected leaders of the New People’s Army in Mandaue City, Cebu, and said that it was done in accordance with the rule of law. Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto, 3ID spokesman, said Calixto Vistal and his wife, Jimmylisa Badayos, were arrested by the Philippine National Police and military, by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Dumaguete Judge Roderick Maxino, for the crime of murder...
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/October/12/topstory9.htm
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division yesterday justified the arrest of two suspected leaders of the New People’s Army in Mandaue City, Cebu, and said that it was done in accordance with the rule of law. Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto, 3ID spokesman, said Calixto Vistal and his wife, Jimmylisa Badayos, were arrested by the Philippine National Police and military, by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Dumaguete Judge Roderick Maxino, for the crime of murder...
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/October/12/topstory9.htm
Peace ambassador pledges books, classrooms for Bangsamoro children
From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 12): Peace ambassador pledges books, classrooms for Bangsamoro children
Filipino-American singer and volunteer peace ambassador apl.de.ap of the world-famous Black Eyed Peas expressed his desire to expand the programs of the Apl Foundation to include school-feeding programs and book donations for school children in Bangsamoro areas.... OPAPP said that as peace ambassador, apl.de.ap whose real name is Allan Pineda, received a briefing on the framework agreement over Skype from its technical staff. “Definitely, I want to be involved. This is great news!” he said, while mentioning the work of his Apl Foundation. The Apl Foundation has school-building projects in the Philippines and Asia. It has an ongoing partnership with the Ninoy and Cory Foundation and the MyLibrary program of Ayala Foundation/Philippine Development Foundation and the 57-75 Movement for educational reform.... As a peace ambassador, he pledged to do his best in spreading good news about the country, and in calling on young people in the Philippines and around the world to give peace a chance via Twitter and other social media sites. Other peace ambassadors tapped by OPAPP are performing artists Noel Cabangon, Christian Bautista, Ebe Dancel, Datu Khomeini, Gloc-9, celebrities and actors Anne Curtis, Epy Quizon, Derek Ramsey, Megan Young, Mikael Daez, Gerald Anderson, Ramon Bautista, Rovilson Fernandez and fashion designers Arnold Galang and JC Buendia.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1421350022479
Filipino-American singer and volunteer peace ambassador apl.de.ap of the world-famous Black Eyed Peas expressed his desire to expand the programs of the Apl Foundation to include school-feeding programs and book donations for school children in Bangsamoro areas.... OPAPP said that as peace ambassador, apl.de.ap whose real name is Allan Pineda, received a briefing on the framework agreement over Skype from its technical staff. “Definitely, I want to be involved. This is great news!” he said, while mentioning the work of his Apl Foundation. The Apl Foundation has school-building projects in the Philippines and Asia. It has an ongoing partnership with the Ninoy and Cory Foundation and the MyLibrary program of Ayala Foundation/Philippine Development Foundation and the 57-75 Movement for educational reform.... As a peace ambassador, he pledged to do his best in spreading good news about the country, and in calling on young people in the Philippines and around the world to give peace a chance via Twitter and other social media sites. Other peace ambassadors tapped by OPAPP are performing artists Noel Cabangon, Christian Bautista, Ebe Dancel, Datu Khomeini, Gloc-9, celebrities and actors Anne Curtis, Epy Quizon, Derek Ramsey, Megan Young, Mikael Daez, Gerald Anderson, Ramon Bautista, Rovilson Fernandez and fashion designers Arnold Galang and JC Buendia.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1421350022479
NPA rebel killed in Bukidnon clash
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 12): NPA rebel killed in Bukidnon clash
One unidentified new people’s army (NPA) rebel was killed in a clash between army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8th IB) and NPA at Minlanaw sub-village, Dumalaguing, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, Sunday, October 7. Army’s Alpha Company, 8th IB, in a spot report said it had an exchange of fire with some 15 armed rebels believed to be members of Front Committee 4A North Central Mindanao Command. The fierce encounter, led by army 1st Lt. Norman Tagros, resulted to the death of an NPA insurgent. Lt. Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, Commanding Officer, 8th IB said the gun battle started off while the government soldiers are conducting combat clearing operations in the area at 11:30 Sunday morning. "The NPA rebels immediately fled the scene after the firefight that lasted for almost two hours," he said. The army recovered one (1) AK-47 rifle after the clash. Without delay, Cuerpo said, the remains of the slain NPA member was turned over to the barangay officials for proper burial. (8thIB, 4th INF DIV, PA/RLRB,PIA 10,Bukidnon)
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1501349842978
One unidentified new people’s army (NPA) rebel was killed in a clash between army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8th IB) and NPA at Minlanaw sub-village, Dumalaguing, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, Sunday, October 7. Army’s Alpha Company, 8th IB, in a spot report said it had an exchange of fire with some 15 armed rebels believed to be members of Front Committee 4A North Central Mindanao Command. The fierce encounter, led by army 1st Lt. Norman Tagros, resulted to the death of an NPA insurgent. Lt. Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, Commanding Officer, 8th IB said the gun battle started off while the government soldiers are conducting combat clearing operations in the area at 11:30 Sunday morning. "The NPA rebels immediately fled the scene after the firefight that lasted for almost two hours," he said. The army recovered one (1) AK-47 rifle after the clash. Without delay, Cuerpo said, the remains of the slain NPA member was turned over to the barangay officials for proper burial. (8thIB, 4th INF DIV, PA/RLRB,PIA 10,Bukidnon)
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1501349842978
Peace talks transparent, all sectors consulted says government official
From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 12): Peace talks transparent, all sectors consulted says government official
A member of the government peace panel said the Moro National Liberation Front had been consulted in the crafting of the framework agreement that will serve as the roadmap for the ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Senen Bacani, member of the government peace panel issued the statement following the reaction of Nur Misuari, leader of the MNLF who said the framework agreement was illegal and will not solve the conflict in Mindanao. He said the government has been very transparent with its position on the peace process to all sectors including the MNLF which had been consulted from the start. Bacani said the MNLF will surely be represented in the Transition Commission which has 15 members, all Bangsamoro. “From the government side, it is important that the MNLF is well represented to ensure convergence in the process, because we are talking here about one territory and one people. It is good to involve everyone so that we can come up with a peace accord correctly,” he said....
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381349939614
A member of the government peace panel said the Moro National Liberation Front had been consulted in the crafting of the framework agreement that will serve as the roadmap for the ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Senen Bacani, member of the government peace panel issued the statement following the reaction of Nur Misuari, leader of the MNLF who said the framework agreement was illegal and will not solve the conflict in Mindanao. He said the government has been very transparent with its position on the peace process to all sectors including the MNLF which had been consulted from the start. Bacani said the MNLF will surely be represented in the Transition Commission which has 15 members, all Bangsamoro. “From the government side, it is important that the MNLF is well represented to ensure convergence in the process, because we are talking here about one territory and one people. It is good to involve everyone so that we can come up with a peace accord correctly,” he said....
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381349939614
Army readies soldiers of peace
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 12): Army readies soldiers of peace
Encouraged by breakthrough in the negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the military is out to transform its men into soldiers of peace, this time to reach out to the communist rebels. Some 30 public information officers and non-commissioned officers(NCOs)coming from the major units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines(AFP)in Western Visayas and Negros Oriental gathered at the headquarters of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead)Division(3ID), Philippine Army based at Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz for a two-day seminar-workshop. Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto, 3ID spokesperson, said the seminar which ended Friday is aimed at continuing AFP’s bid to further strengthen its resolve to transparency, accountability and spreading the message for peace....
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=462114
Encouraged by breakthrough in the negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the military is out to transform its men into soldiers of peace, this time to reach out to the communist rebels. Some 30 public information officers and non-commissioned officers(NCOs)coming from the major units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines(AFP)in Western Visayas and Negros Oriental gathered at the headquarters of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead)Division(3ID), Philippine Army based at Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz for a two-day seminar-workshop. Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto, 3ID spokesperson, said the seminar which ended Friday is aimed at continuing AFP’s bid to further strengthen its resolve to transparency, accountability and spreading the message for peace....
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=462114
Gunfire rouse Maguindanao villagers from sleep
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 12): Gunfire rouse Maguindanao villagers
from sleep
Around 50 unidentified armed men strafed houses a few kilometers away from the town hall of Datu Montawal town in Maguindanao, the military here said. No one was injured but the hail of gunfire which occurred around midnight until 4:00 a.m. Friday sent Muslim villagers into panic, according to Colonel Benjamin Hao. Hao, chief of the Army's 7th Infantry Battalion, said a check with local residents showed that the gunmen, in full battle gear, arrived in the village and without provocation opened fire indiscriminately. "We are now helping the local police determine the identities of the gunmen and their real motive for the shooting frenzy," Hao said.... Montawal is a known gateway to the 220,000-hectare Liguasan Marsh, a known area identified with the MILF....
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=462129
Around 50 unidentified armed men strafed houses a few kilometers away from the town hall of Datu Montawal town in Maguindanao, the military here said. No one was injured but the hail of gunfire which occurred around midnight until 4:00 a.m. Friday sent Muslim villagers into panic, according to Colonel Benjamin Hao. Hao, chief of the Army's 7th Infantry Battalion, said a check with local residents showed that the gunmen, in full battle gear, arrived in the village and without provocation opened fire indiscriminately. "We are now helping the local police determine the identities of the gunmen and their real motive for the shooting frenzy," Hao said.... Montawal is a known gateway to the 220,000-hectare Liguasan Marsh, a known area identified with the MILF....
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=462129
Demilitarizing Bangsamoro: proposals include transitional int’l peacekeeping force
From MindaNews (Oct 12): Demilitarizing Bangsamoro: proposals include transitional int’l peacekeeping force
Demilitarizing the Bangsamoro of state and non-state forces as envisioned in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) which the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forged Saturday night is, concededly a “very tough issue,” according to GPH panel member Senen Bacani but it is one issue that has also sparked interesting debates and proposals, including an international peacekeeping force during the transition period....
http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2012/10/12/demilitarizing-bangsamoro-proposals-include-transitional-intl-peacekeeping-force-2/
Demilitarizing the Bangsamoro of state and non-state forces as envisioned in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) which the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forged Saturday night is, concededly a “very tough issue,” according to GPH panel member Senen Bacani but it is one issue that has also sparked interesting debates and proposals, including an international peacekeeping force during the transition period....
http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2012/10/12/demilitarizing-bangsamoro-proposals-include-transitional-intl-peacekeeping-force-2/
Calls to support peace widen; influential Muslim governor to convince MNLF to support peace in South
From the Mindanao Examiner (Oct 12): Calls to support peace widen; influential Muslim governor to
convince MNLF to support peace in South
Civil society and Muslim religious groups have joined mounting calls for peace in the southern Philippines ahead of the signing of peace pact between Manila and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels.... But the government peace pact with the MILF would basically create a new Muslim autonomous region called Bangsamoro and replace the ARMM with several more areas in North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Lanao del Norte. Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan said he would meet and talk with Misuari to convince him that the Aquino government is sincere in achieving peace in Mindanao. Tan said MNLF commanders have been going around some parts of Sulu and that he explained to them the government’s peace process. “MNLF commanders are making their rounds in some parts of Sulu and I was able to talk to them and sinabi ko na pagbigyan nila tayo tungo sa kapayapaan. I also sent word to my brother Chairman Nur Misuari and one of these days mag-uusap kami. Ipinarating ko sa kanya na maging mahinahon, sa ganitong paraan we can resolve any misunderstanding and have genuine peace in Sulu and the whole of Mindanao.”“I have made my appeal to everybody to keep their cool. Walang mangyayari sa atin kung tayo ay babalik na naman sa nakaraan, kawawa ang mg tao dito sa Sulu at sa buong Mindanao,” Tan said....
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20121012033214
Civil society and Muslim religious groups have joined mounting calls for peace in the southern Philippines ahead of the signing of peace pact between Manila and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels.... But the government peace pact with the MILF would basically create a new Muslim autonomous region called Bangsamoro and replace the ARMM with several more areas in North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Lanao del Norte. Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan said he would meet and talk with Misuari to convince him that the Aquino government is sincere in achieving peace in Mindanao. Tan said MNLF commanders have been going around some parts of Sulu and that he explained to them the government’s peace process. “MNLF commanders are making their rounds in some parts of Sulu and I was able to talk to them and sinabi ko na pagbigyan nila tayo tungo sa kapayapaan. I also sent word to my brother Chairman Nur Misuari and one of these days mag-uusap kami. Ipinarating ko sa kanya na maging mahinahon, sa ganitong paraan we can resolve any misunderstanding and have genuine peace in Sulu and the whole of Mindanao.”“I have made my appeal to everybody to keep their cool. Walang mangyayari sa atin kung tayo ay babalik na naman sa nakaraan, kawawa ang mg tao dito sa Sulu at sa buong Mindanao,” Tan said....
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20121012033214
BAYAN slams planned construction of joint PH-US military base in Subic
From the pro-CPP Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-New Patriotic Alliance) Website (Oct 12): Bayan slams planned construction of joint PH-US military base in Subic
The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today condemned in the strongest terms the planned construction of a new military facility in Subic, Olonggapo, to be jointly used by the United States and Philippine military. The group said that if President Benigno Aquino III allowed this, he would be in violation of the Philippine Constitution.... “The construction of a new military facility in Subic shows in unmistakable terms the return of US bases in the Philippines. This is an affront to our sovereignty, a reversal of the Senate, rejection of the US bases in 1991, all courtesy of the subservient PH President Benigno Aquino III. Aquino is trying to outdo his predecessor Gloria Arroyo in being the number one US puppet in Asia,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr....
http://www.bayan.ph/site/2012/10/bayan-slams-planned-construction-of-joint-ph-us-military-base-in-subic/
The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today condemned in the strongest terms the planned construction of a new military facility in Subic, Olonggapo, to be jointly used by the United States and Philippine military. The group said that if President Benigno Aquino III allowed this, he would be in violation of the Philippine Constitution.... “The construction of a new military facility in Subic shows in unmistakable terms the return of US bases in the Philippines. This is an affront to our sovereignty, a reversal of the Senate, rejection of the US bases in 1991, all courtesy of the subservient PH President Benigno Aquino III. Aquino is trying to outdo his predecessor Gloria Arroyo in being the number one US puppet in Asia,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr....
http://www.bayan.ph/site/2012/10/bayan-slams-planned-construction-of-joint-ph-us-military-base-in-subic/
MNLF: Then September 2, 1996-MNLF-GRP Peace Agreement, Now October15, 2012-MILF-GRP ‘Framework Agreement,’ is it a Solution or Another Decption?
Editorial posted to the MNLF-Misuari Website (Oct 11): Then September 2, 1996-MNLF-GRP Peace Agreement, Now
October15, 2012-MILF-GRP ‘Framework Agreement,’ is it a Solution or Another
Decption?
.... As
expected, some of the hawkish Filipino colonizers have now expressed anxiety
and fear that the contemplation of the establishment of Bangsamoro as a form of
government in Mindanao is contrary to the
preservation of Philippine colonialism in the war-torn region, signifying that
the historical identity connotative of freedom and heroism is now a phenomenal
idea whose time has come. They cannot just accept the reality that the
Filipino-Moro war in Mindanao can be resolved
by historical truth.
On
one hand, there are some within the colonized Bangsamoro people, who are deeply
conscious of the heroic struggle of their forebears against the Spanish,
American and Japanese colonizers. Truth to tell, they are always proud of the
Bangsamoro race and consider it entirely different from the Spanish-inspired
Filipino identity that is synonymous to the Christian Catholic children of
Spanish soldiers and the Christianized Indios of Luzon and Visayas, showcasing
in Philippine history as simply colonial slaves of Spain for more than three
centuries. Thus, considering now that Bangsamoro has surfaced and even accepted
as a solution by the Philippine government is indeed a welcome event.
Hence,
for the sake of 'just and lasting' peace in Filipino-occupied Mindanao ,
can the two extreme opinions be reconciled and give hope to both the Filipino
colonizers and the colonized Bangsamoro people that there are no victors or
winners in perpetual war?
Simply
put, how can peace agreements, signed and still to be signed, become a
solution, not just a deception, in achieving permanent and durable peace to
finally end wars in Mindanao and throughout
the Philippine archipelago among the Filipino and Bangsamoro peoples?
MILF: OIC SecGen congratulates gov’t, MILF on Framework Agreement
Fron the MILF Website (Oct 12): OIC SecGen congratulates gov’t, MILF on Framework Agreement
The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has congratulated the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the breakthrough on the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.....
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2885:oic-secgen-congratulates-govt-milf-on-framework-agreement&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has congratulated the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the breakthrough on the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.....
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2885:oic-secgen-congratulates-govt-milf-on-framework-agreement&catid=31:general&Itemid=41