File photo of GPH panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer from cpcabrisbane.org
Negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will not be hampered by violence staged by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in some parts of Central Mindanao, GPH panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said at the opening of the 39th GPH-MILF Formal Exploratory Talks held in Malaysia Thursday.
“In this round, we will prove that we have not been waylaid by these groups’ destructive, desperate ways,” Ferrer said.
In an emailed statement, Ferrer specifically cited that both panels proceeded with a meeting last July, even when the BIFF were on a rampage, like attacking soldiers and setting off grenades and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in some parts of Central Mindanao that killed civilians and injured others.
She described such acts of violence to have all the more isolated the perpetrators from the rest of the people.
“Violence is not strength. It reflects a weakness in ideas, a lack of strength in the moral persuasiveness of one’s beliefs and causes. Its sheer force betrays a lack of legitimacy and popular support. As Hannah Arendt, one of my favorite philosophers, wisely wrote: “Impotence breeds violence,” Ferrer said.
She expressed confidence on the ceasefire committees, the Ad Hoc Joint Action Groups (AHJAG) and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, and a good number of national and local government officials that are working hard to address the continuing threats.
Ferrer thanked the bodies’ courageous performance of their duties specifically the soldiers who died while in the line of duty to ensure the safety and security of the people.
She also recognized President Benigno Aquino III’s commitment to see through the negotiation’s road map during his term.
For the GPH and the MILF panels’ end, Ferrer assured they will do their share of securing the people by reaching the goal of completing the last two remaining annexes.
“Let us show that we are ready to put to sleep the infamous devil in the details and awaken the angel of creativity and compromise,” she said.
Both panels signed the Annex on Wealth Sharing on July 13. They are now talking on the second Annex and will continue talking for the third and the final Annexes.
The MILF panel present at the talks was led by chairman Mohager Iqbal.
Ferrer also recognized all those present at the talks including some members of the Philippine Congress like Representative Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro, who sits as one of the council of observers to the peace process in the Lower House; Rep. Pangalian Balindong from Lanao del Sur, Deputy Speaker of the House, and a member of the current House Committee on Peace and Reconciliation currently chaired by Rep. Jim Hataman, and Rep. Jesus Sacdalan from North Cotabato – former provincial governor, and immediately preceding former chair of the House Committee on Peace and Reconciliation.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/69166/gph-panel-chair-belittles-biffs-threat-to-block-peace-talks
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