Mindanaons voice “Peace Talk not War”
Konsult Mindanaw, the research arm of the Bishop Ulama Conference (BUC) of the Philippines , has consulted eight regional centers in Mindanaw and has got more than 5,000 respondents.
The consultations were aimed to ensure greater participation of the greater number of stakeholders in the Mindanao peace process.
A total of 4,916 participants in 311 focus group discussions (FGDs) were asked for four questions: “What is your vision of peace? What are your recommendations on the peace talks between the GRP and the MILF? What can you recommend on the broader peace process? What can you personally contribute – or even sacrifice – for peace in Mindanao ?”
The following findings were transpired pertaining to the GRP-MILF peace process;
* Although many participants express lack of sufficient information on the MOA-AD, the peace talks between the government and the armed groups are very much alive in the mind of the people.
* People want the peace talks to continue and to be in Mindanao .In the focus group discussions (FGDs), The participants made the following recommendations;
* Peace panels should be seen as really concerned with the plight of those affected by the conflict.
* People are confused on the diverging views and actions of offices of the government in dealing with conflict and rebellion. Peace panels take an approach, military has another track, and only to be junked by the higher authority.
* On the same note, people get confused on the position of the different Moro groups and their supporters. People are not clear on the positions of the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front), MILF, and other groups and personalities.
* People are searching for sincerity as expressed in consistency and coherence of actions from all parties.
• Develop a more cohesive and rationalized government peace mechanism. Let the different government agencies dealing with the peace process-including Congress, Local Government, National Security Adviser, and other agencies-forge a strong coordination.
• Choose peace panel members who are known to have credibility and passion for Mindanao , and give them a clear, strong, and wide range of mandate to negotiate.
• Show concrete and serious action towards the full implementation of the previous
peace agreements made by the government and the revolutionary groups.
• Review the mandate of OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process), strengthen its mandate, push for a Republic Act. (e.g.similar process of transforming MEDCO [Mindanao Economic Development Council] into MEDA [Mindanao Economic Development Authority]).
• Urge Moro groups and solidarity partners to present a more unified approach towards peace in Mindanao ; let the MNLF and the MILF focus on key consensus points.
* Initiate a comprehensive communication program on the issues tackled in the peace talks including the MOA-AD.
* Media should create a positive impact in the dissemination of news on the peace talks and the broader peace processes. It should collaborate on a popular program on Mindanao history.
* OPAPP and the Government security cluster will have to push for the establishment of a secure and strong mechanism for continuous or (periodic?) consultation between the members of the two peace panels and civil society representatives. This mechanism shall be institutionalized as a regular part of the peace process.
* Both peace panel members and civil society representatives should jointly clarify or define what constitutes a valid, legitimate and sufficient consultation process. The starting point for the discussion is the Supreme Court decision against the MOA-AD, where the consultation is required but the process remains unclear.
* One possible mechanism is through the establishment of a National Contact Group, corresponding to the International Contact Group. If the International Contact Group has a local partner, this local partner may serve as the local consultation partner, but this will have to be strengthened.
* The existing caucus of consultation initiatives may be tapped in developing the mechanism for sufficient and legitimate consultation mechanism. This coalition, though, may need to upscale their scope of operation, depending on the requirements of a sufficient consultation process.
* Religious and spiritual leaders should be given a place at the table discussing plans toward a peaceful and just society as observers or regular participants.
* Examine roots of conflict particularly land conflicts. Skewed laws and policies in past dispossess ethnic groups.
* Respect the self-determination and self-governance of the Moros and the Lumads within their ancestral domains, with the intent of correcting historical injustice, while at the same time considering how Mindanao peoples can move forward in peace. Legitimate rights of settlers to their lands will also have to be respected.
* Fast track and subsidize the survey and titling of the Lumads’ domains, inside and outside the Bangsamoro territorial boundary.
* Clarify policies and processes to allay the fears on Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE).
* Integrate in the peace negotiations the concern for good governance.
* Integrate regional sources of conflict into the peace framework.
* Include women’s perspectives in the peace talks.
* Respect previous agreements and initiatives.
* Regulate the use of firearms. Disband, abolish, disarm armed groups and private armies through the concerted efforts of the religious/tribal leaders, civil society and the academe with the support of the AFP and the PNP.
* Clarify & delineate the roles of the AFP and the Police.
* Synchronize the peace negotiations with all armed groups.
Retrieve, document, and reactivate traditional and indigenous conflict resolutions.
