GPH urges civil society to support inclusive peace deal with MILF

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 11): GPH urges civil society to support inclusive peace deal with MILF

The Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) called on civil society groups to support the inclusive peace deal to resolve the armed conflict in Mindanao.

GPH chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer stressed the inclusivity of the GPH-MILF peace process, saying that, “even though we are talking to the MILF, our main goal here is to address the Bangsamoro question, and all stakeholders will be benefited in the succeeding socio-(economic) development programs.”

The peace panel, composed of Ferrer, and panel member Secretary Mehol Sadain, chair of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), and Atty. Tarhata Basman, head of the panel’s legal team made the appeal durihg a series of consultations in Zamboanga City where they met with representatives from the Silsillah Dialogue Movement’s Interfaith Council of Leaders, Peace Advocates of Zamboanga (PAZ), Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development, Inc (ZABIDA) and leaders of Muslim migrant communities.

The negotiating team also met with Zamboanga City local executives, led by Mayor Beng Climaco, Vice Mayor Cesar Itturalde, District 2 Councilor Juan “Kim” Elago, among others. They likewise consulted Rep. Lilia Nuño along with members of Darul Iftah.

“We really want to know the thoughts of the stakeholders and listen to their suggestions and advice because we don’t want the occurrence of armed conflict,” Coronel-Ferrer explained to the stakeholders here.

“We encourage everyone to be part of this whole peace process,” she urged.

According to Coronel-Ferrer, the presence of the government peace panel in Zamboanga City – even if it is not part of the proposed Bangsamoro territory – is to provide the stakeholders accurate information on the ongoing peace talks with the MILF.

“We all know the vitality of having accurate information. That is why we are here to share the information to you. At the same time, we also want you to be part of explaining accurate information to other people. This will help us reach a common understanding,” she said.

For his part, Sadain said that the government’s “efforts with the MILF will benefit also the people of Zamboanga to reap the dividends of peace.”

“I think it is but proper that we put our acts together now, and we should realize that whatever happens in other provinces will somehow affect not just Zamboanga City but also the rest of the country,” he said.

Sadain, through the NCMF, also committed to help in the rehabilitation of communities affected by the Zamboanga siege, in collaboration with other government agencies.

Last Sept. 9, forces of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) associated with Nur Misuari attacked Zamboanga City where hundreds were killed and wounded, thousands were displaced, and millions worth of properties were destroyed. The siege occurred following Misuari’s declaration of independence and accusation against the government for allegedly sidelining the MNLF in the peace process.

The peace panel explained the relevance of the ongoing talks with the MILF to the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) between the government and the MNLF. The government has ensured with the GPH members of the Transition Commission (TC) to consider the legislative agenda of the MNLF as inputs in the Bangsamoro Basic Law, specifically the 42 consensus points on amendments to RA 9054, the law which created the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The TC is tasked to draft the Basic Law which will be submitted to Congress.

Members of the peace panel explained that issues arising from the MNLF peace process, particularly the issues and concerns of the Nur Misuari faction could be addressed in a proper venue such as the review process, where the two sides can discuss and dialogue, rather than use violence. In fact, the government was preparing for the 5th GPH-OIC-MNLF Tripartite Review Meeting originally scheduled on September 16, 2013 when said meeting was postponed due to a request made by MNLF chair Nur Misuari citing the "situation in Zamboanga City."

Abdul Hamid Irin, barangay chair of Santa Barbara, said one of the ingredients to end the armed conflict in Mindanao is for the peace process to be inclusive not just for the Moro rebel groups. Santa Barbara is one of the affected villages during the standoff.

“It is time for us Muslims to put our acts together and unite for our common good,” Atty. Yaser Sapion of the Darul Iftah said.

On the same note, Nuño said “it is high time for all Muslims to unite and work together for the common good of all Bangsamoro.”

Coronel-Ferrer said that despite the attacks perpetuated by the MNLF-Misuari faction in this city, the government is not abandoning the peace process with the MNLF. She also pointed out that other factions within the organization still believe in the primacy of the 1996 FPA and did not support the actions taken by Misuari and his followers.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=585724