All news releases of the Philippine government about the peace negotiations with the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front – always say that a peace pact is expected sooner…and this every time the negotiations end in Kuala Lumpur.
Everything the Aquino government and his peace panel say is the same and over and over again, but nothing has been achieved as far as the Muslim sub-state is concerned.
If there is really a breakthrough, it would be the MILF the first to say so, but all we hear is total silence. The MILF has said it many times that it would not sign the peace accord unless the Muslim sub-state is granted.
And yet, the government peace panel and its propagandists continue to sing in a different tune. And forcing their propaganda – as if peace is just around the corner – to the throat of journalists and media outfits, and make it appear that peace is at hand.
Before a peace accord can be achieved with the MILF in Mindanao, the government should first address the opposition of politicians, who have vested interest in the southern region; the landlords and corporations and companies which have vast landholdings and business in Muslim areas.
And the issues of poverty, human rights violation and security and corruption in government and many more, including the disillusion that the country is now in good hands.
This is reality and unless all these are answered by the Aquino government, peace remains an elusive goal not only for the MILF or the Muslims, but to the nation as a whole. Give Mindanao what is due Mindanao – Peace, Progress and Prosperity!
20