NDFP supports Bangsamoro struggle, but says leaders should make sure masses want BBL

From InterAksyon (Apr 22): NDFP supports Bangsamoro struggle, but says leaders should make sure masses want BBL



NDFP negotiating panel member Coni Ledesma and NDFP negotiating panel chairman Luis Jalandoni at the forum on April 18, 2015. (Tricia Aquino, InterAksyon.com)

Ahead of its 42nd anniversary on April 24, the National Democratic Front (NDFP) said it supported the “just struggle” of the Bangsamoro people for self-determination, but that its leaders should ascertain whether the Moro masses actually supported the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

NDFP negotiating panel chairman Luis Jalandoni, with NDFP negotiating panel member Coni Ledesma, revealed his thoughts on the subject  at a recent forum organized by PinoyMedia Center, Inc. in Quezon City.

Their statements were based on their experience in brokering peace with the government of the Philippines since 1992, as well as their “friendly” relationship with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“We recognize their long history of struggle,” Jalandoni said. “They are fierce fighters.”

The biggest question, however, was whether the BBL had the Moro masses’ support, including the decommissioning of firearms which it entails.

Jalandoni recalled attending an international forum where the peace process in Aceh, Indonesia was discussed. The rebel group’s firearms were surrendered to an international committee, and these were blown up to bits. He said he overheard two leaders of the MILF as saying this was against the Moro culture.

Jalandoni acknowledged, however, that GPH negotiating panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles said that the arms would not be destroyed.

Reservations on key provisions

He added that he had certain reservations about the BBL, particularly the provisions that “promote” Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements in mining. (See the ones below, as found in the draft BBL):

 Article XIII, Section 13. Mines and Mineral Resources. – The Bangsamoro Government shall have authority and jurisdiction over the exploration, development, and utilization of mines and minerals in its territory. Permits and licenses and the granting of contracts for this purpose shall be within the powers of the Bangsamoro Government.

Article XIII, Section 14. Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements. – The applications for financial and technical assistance agreements (FTAAs) covering mineral resources within the Bangsamoro shall be commenced at and recommended by the Bangsamoro Government to the President. The manner by which the Bangsamoro Government shall make the recommendation shall be in accordance with the mining policy that shall be adopted by the Bangsamoro Parliament.

This would not be for the good of the Moro, but for the good of the businessmen, Jalandoni claimed.

He also warned against possible public-and-private partnerships, which in the experience of “legal democratic movements” led to demolition and the uprooting of the urban poor. Would this happen to the Moro and Lumad masses, among other groups, as well?

“We also see that the BBL is not yet fully formed, nor is it really approved, at this stage. It looks like there are a lot of moves to dilute the BBL to the point where it might become similar to, or a little bit better-looking than, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM),” Jalandoni added.

Asked why the Philippine government seemed eager to clinch the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the MILF, but not a peace agreement with the NDFP, Jalandoni speculated that the government of President Benigno Aquino III with the United States wanted a Bangsamoro government “that they think might be more pliable to their interests” to be installed in Mindanao. These interests, he said, included expanding U.S. bases in Mindanao.

An agreement with the MILF, added Jalandoni, would enable the U.S. and Philippine military to concentrate a big amount of their forces on the New People’s Army “because they know that the NPA is growing stronger.”

“They want to destroy the NPA because a revolutionary movement will not agree to the interest and domination of the U.S. all around,” he said.

Jalandoni, however, said that the NDFP was open to negotiating with any administration “that seriously wants to engage in peace talks.”

“We leave it open for any possibility,” he said.

The Aquino government, he added, can pay attention to more than one peace agreement at a time.

Marcos' time: NPA grew as AFP focused on Moro rebs

During the forum, Jalandoni also narrated how, at the time of President Ferdinand Marcos, Philippine troops were focused on fighting Moro rebels, thus helping the NPA thrive in other areas.

Considering their “past cooperation,” Jalandoni said, it was the NDFP’s responsibility to express their concerns with the BBL.

He added that the NDFP agreed with the MILF that the NPA would not create armed groups in areas controlled by the MILF so that the two groups would not clash against each other.

Back then, the relationship was forged as a political alliance, said Jalandoni. “Of course, conditions are changing.”

Should the BBL be passed, Jalandoni said that the NPA would still be open to other Moro groups who would ask their help to organize.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/109253/ndfp-supports-bangsamoro-struggle-but-says-leaders-should-make-sure-masses-want-bbl