ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 7, 2012) – The Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said it is optimistic that it could sign a peace accord with Manila, ending decades of bloody fighting in Mindanao.
“There is an increasing chance now, more than ever, that the Moros in Mindanao will get a better deal with the Manila government. Signs are great that the Aquino administration and even those not in the party in power is more open to finally settle this conflict in Mindanao,” the MILF said in a statement, adding there had been so much bloodshed and destruction because of hostilities and fighting in the southern region.
President Benigno Aquino, in a public telecast on Sunday, said the government agreed with the MILF on the creation of a new autonomous political entity called “Bangsamoro” that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which he called a “failed experiment.”
“The ARMM is a failed experiment. Many of the people continue to feel alienated by the system, and those who feel that there is no way out will continue to articulate their grievances through the barrel of a gun. We cannot change this without structural reform. This is the context that informed our negotiations throughout the peace process. And now, we have forged an agreement that seeks to correct these problems. It defines our parameters and our objectives, while upholding the integrity and sovereignty of our nation,” Aquino said, reading from a teleprompter in Malacanang.
“This agreement creates a new political entity, and it deserves a name that symbolizes and honors the struggles of our forebears in Mindanao, and celebrates the history and character of that part of our nation. That name will be Bangsamoro. We are doing everything to ensure that other Bangsamoro stakeholders are brought in to this process so that this peace can be claimed and sustained by all. Sovereignty resides in the people, and consistent with the constitution, a basic law will be drafted by a transition commission and will go through the full process of legislation in Congress.”
The MILF has previously said that Aquino approved the creation of a Bangsamoro sub-state in Mindanao and also agreed to power and wealth sharing with the new sub-state.
But Aquino did not say what provinces and cities would make up the new political entity, which the MILF is calling Bangsamoro sub-state, whose areas would cover beyond the five provinces that composed ARMM – Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, including Marawi and Lamitan cities.
The MILF said that in the past, the central government – in a one-sided affair – monopolizes decision-making and disposition of resources. But under the new agreement with the MILF, the power and wealth-sharing in would be allocated or devolved to the new autonomous political entity.
“What is this deal that is deemed better than any deal the Moros got in the past? In essence, this deal is about redefining the relationship between the Philippine state and the Bangsamoro in Mindanao through power-sharing and wealth-sharing.”
“This is the real reason why the MILF is only asking for the driver’s seat up to the interim period; and after which, either it will transform itself into a political party or organizes a political party and engages in election. If it succeeds, then it will form and run the government of the new entity. If it loses, the growing democratization of the struggle will continue,” the rebel group said.
Aquino said his administration has pledged to support a law that will embody the values and aspirations of the Muslim people and that any proposed law resulting from this framework will be subject to ratification through a plebiscite and once approved, there will be elections.
He said the cycle of violence in Mindanao has already claimed the lives of more than 100,000 people and that many solutions were proposed and tried. “We have had peace agreements in the past, but still our hopes for the region remained unfulfilled. Some gained power, but instead of raising the quality of life in the region, this begot a structure that tightened the shackles of poverty.”
“This Framework Agreement paves the way for a final, enduring peace in Mindanao. It brings all former secessionist groups into the fold; no longer does the Moro Islamic Liberation Front aspire for a separate state. This means that hands that once held rifles will be put to use tilling land, selling produce, manning work stations, and opening doorways of opportunity for other citizens,” Aquino said.
He said under the new autonomous political entity, the central government will continue to exercise exclusive powers of defense and security, foreign policy, monetary policy and coinage, citizenship, and naturalization. And the Constitution and lawful processes shall govern the transition to the Bangsamoro, and this agreement will ensure that the Philippines remains one nation and one people, with all of our diverse cultures and narratives seeking the common goal, according to Aquino.
He said the “Filipinos of Bangsamoro,” on the other hand, will be assured a fair and equitable share of taxation, revenues, and the fruits of national patrimony. They will enjoy equal protection of laws and access to impartial justice.”
However, many Muslims in the Philippines do not consider themselves as Filipinos, but as separate citizens of the country.
Aquino said: “We have gotten this far because of the trust extended to us by Al Haj Murad (Ebrahim) and his Central Committee, and the members of the MILF negotiating panel led by Mohagher Iqbal. They recognized our administration’s sincerity, and our shared principles and aspirations. Together, we traversed the distance between us until we finally met in a handshake and an embrace as fellow citizens of the Philippines.”
“We have come to where we now stand, because trust has replaced doubt. There are challenges yet to face, and I entreat all Filipinos who thirst for peace with this mission – continue to sow trust, let us widen in and make it more pronounced in the days and weeks to come. Other triumphs will be sure to follow. Onward we will march toward stability; prosperity will illumine our entire country as a result of progress in one region; our dreams will become a reality,” he said.
Aquino said the agreement with the MILF would surely bring peace and development not only to Mindanao, but the whole country as well.
“I am not a young man; I think I am only slightly younger than Al Haj Murad. The time will come when we will both have to relinquish our positions. We are united by hope: hope that we may bequeath to the next generation a better situation in the parts of Mindanao long torn by conflict.”
“This Agreement allows us to dream: The time is near when any foreigner visiting the Philippines will surely have the provinces of Bangsamoro in his itinerary – the time is near when a tourist wanting to go to Pagudpud (in Ilocos Norte province in northern Philippines) can opt to go to Sulu (province in southern Philippines). Children going to school whether in Quezon City (in Metro Manila) or Lamitan (City in Basilan province in southern Philippines) will have the same quality education; hospitals whether in Pasig (City in Metro Manila) or Patikul (town in Sulu province) can offer the same quality health care; businesses will flourish, whether one chooses to invest in Marikina (City in Metro Manila) or (Islamic City of) Marawi (in Lanao del Sur province in southern Philippines),” he said.
Aquino said for so long, it was impossible to even aspire for those things. “But we have proven: Nothing is impossible to those who are willing to unite, to work for solutions, and to act towards consensus. Finally, we have achieved peace, a peace that will serve as the foundation of our dreams for Bangsamoro, for Mindanao, and for the entire Filipino nation.”
The MILF – a breakaway faction of the larger Moro National Liberation Front which signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996 – said: “It is time for every Moro, irrespective of group affiliations, to show selflessness by supporting this negotiation. Even a mere endorsement is a great boost to this undertaking. This is the best time for the current Moro leaders, in and outside of government, to do a “Mandela” for our people.”
Mandela refers to a South African militant anti-apartheid leader who spent 27 years in prison and later to become the president of his country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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