Thursday, April 11, 2013

MILF: Advocacy on Framework Agreement held in Kidapawan City

From the MILF Website (Apr 11): Advocacy on Framework Agreement held in Kidapawan City



Advocacy on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro was successfully held last April 7, 2013 at the settler’s dominated City of Kidapawan.

It was held at Barangay Nuangan, Kidapawan City with the theme, “Peace Advocacy on Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB) towards the Establishment of Peaceful, Just and Humane Society”. It was attended by Moro natives, settlers and indigenous people.

During his opening remarks, Nasser Mustafa, MILF Provincial Vice Chairman of North Cotabato emphasized the importance of participating in peace advocacies as a medium of letting the people understand the letter and intent of the FAB and the reasons behind why the Bangsamoro is asserting their right to self-determination The Bangsamoro people where oppressed and long deprived of their rights by past foreign and local colonial governments.

Professor Esmael A. Abdula, member of BLMI Steering Committee and guest speaker provided highlights on the FAB. He related the historical background of the Bangsamoro struggle and the peace process between the MILF and the GPH which has been dragging on for almost 17 years.

He stressed that the Mindanao question needs political solutions through peaceful and diplomatic means that will redound to peace and development in Mindanao. Moreover, the FAB, he said is seen by many as the ultimate solution to the Mindanao problem that will improve quality of life of people; builds harmonious social and cultural relationships among the Moros, indigenous people and settlers.

Hon. Atty. Greg Andolana, former Congressman of 2nd District, North Cotabato and faculty of the University of Mindanao, Davao City and the University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, North Cotabato emphasized, that FAB is a done deal but there is a need to pursue and support the peace panels in completing the two remaining contentious annexes and sign a comprehensive compact agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) so that the Bangsamoro can take off.

He stressed that the tri-people in Mindanao should work hand in hand to support the FAB. In the event that Bangsamoro Basic Law is crafted by the Transition Commission, enacted into law by Congress, signed by President Benigno C. Aquino III and ratified by the people in a plebiscite it will pave the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Region as new political entity.

Hon. Angel Japar, Indigenous People representative to the United Nations made a very encouraging message in order to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao. He said everyone should understand the essence of FAB. He encouraged the indigenous people to consolidate their efforts and support the FAB.

Bai Delhia Hassan, a known traditional leader described how the Moros and the indigenous people suffered from the hands of colonial and oppressive regimes. She said that land grabbing continued to haunt the Moro and indigenous people in North Cotabato. She cited the experience of their family and said that the land they own with in the heart of Kidapawan City was occupied by settlers. To get back their land she filed a complaint in court. After expending a lot of money, they finally won the case and repossessed their land. However, to her dismay, settlers continue to occupy her land, derive income from it but she is not given rental. The local government is mum on her plight and did nothing to act on her favor. The LGU instead continue to collect taxes from her otherwise her land will forfeited by the local government.

Brother Mads Tempolok, congratulated the organizers and encouraged the leaders of the tri-people to initiate the conduct of similar advocacy program in their respective communities.

The said Peace Advocacy was attended by more than one thousand people all from Bangsamoro, Indigenous people and from the Pilipino Settler, also present in the forum are from the Local Government officials, traditional leaders from the Bangsamoro and Indigenous People.

The forum ended, with good smile and hands shake indicate, that understand the FAB establish the culture of peace and justice. Every body hope to have dreams come true, when FAB get to be done and Bangsamoro Government should be realize.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/305-advocacy-on-framework-agreement-held-in-kidapawan-city

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