There is only one sure way to change the status quo: launch a revolutionary armed struggle and once victory is attained, everything falls in place. The other way is through reforms, but this approach is held by the neck by the power-that-be. It hardly changes anything. The third option is through negotiation after a long and bloody engagement between the warring parties. This is what the MILF and GPH is doing for the last 16 years.
However, common in all three options is that all takes too long to see results or to achieve the avowed objectives. Sometimes, the situation worsens in the transition. Besides, armed struggle is bloody and destructive and the outcome cannot be ascertained until all the prerequisites needed for victory are present. Mere reforms will hardly make any difference. The powerful will only listen with closed ears and minds to people’s voices and rumblings. Sometimes, force is used to cow people and kill their aspiration dead on track. Similarly, negotiation is not an assured menu for solving, say, the Bangsamoro Question. Without effective safeguards and people’s participation and foreign good offices or helping hand, agreements can be set aside by powerful partners in negotiation.
However, in the case of the GPH-MILF peace negotiation, there is clearly enough goodwill on both sides. The MILF has found a fitting and reliable peace partner in President Benigno Aquino III. This alone gives enough reason for the success of these peace talks.
However, much of the difficulty in the current peace negotiation between the GPH and MILF is about the mistrust for the future. Both sides have legitimate fears and risks that cannot be aside just that. However, between the two partners, the MILF is clearly the weaker partner and, therefore, its fears shall be seriously considered by government. There is no guarantee for the uncertain future except good agreement and effective implementation mechanism. More importantly, this agreement should be enshrined in the Constitution to make it difficult for the next administration in Manila to change.
Moreover, the GPH should be magnanimous enough to give enough powers and resources to the Bangsamoro, so that it can stand on its feet, without detaching the umbilical cord that connects the son to the mother. The Bangsamoro is still part of this country and it is still Filipino by citizenship. The real guarantee for the unity of this country is to give what is fair and due to everybody, especially to the Bangsamoro. On top of it all, this government must have the political will to overcome all challenges to the deal with the MILF.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/613-changing-the-status-quo
However, in the case of the GPH-MILF peace negotiation, there is clearly enough goodwill on both sides. The MILF has found a fitting and reliable peace partner in President Benigno Aquino III. This alone gives enough reason for the success of these peace talks.
However, much of the difficulty in the current peace negotiation between the GPH and MILF is about the mistrust for the future. Both sides have legitimate fears and risks that cannot be aside just that. However, between the two partners, the MILF is clearly the weaker partner and, therefore, its fears shall be seriously considered by government. There is no guarantee for the uncertain future except good agreement and effective implementation mechanism. More importantly, this agreement should be enshrined in the Constitution to make it difficult for the next administration in Manila to change.
Moreover, the GPH should be magnanimous enough to give enough powers and resources to the Bangsamoro, so that it can stand on its feet, without detaching the umbilical cord that connects the son to the mother. The Bangsamoro is still part of this country and it is still Filipino by citizenship. The real guarantee for the unity of this country is to give what is fair and due to everybody, especially to the Bangsamoro. On top of it all, this government must have the political will to overcome all challenges to the deal with the MILF.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/613-changing-the-status-quo
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