Tag Archives: milf
Government assures Islamic scholars of sincerity in MILF peace talks
The GPH PEACE PANEL during a recent press briefing in Kuala Lumpur, from left to right: Dr. Hamid Barra, Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Panel Chair Marvic Leonen, Yasmin Busran-Lao, and Senen Bacani
MANILA, May 26 – The government has assured the Ulama or Islamic scholars of its sincerity in the ongoing peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said on Saturday that Dr. Hamid A. Barra, a member of the government peace panel, made the assurance during a consultation with the Philippine Usrah Foundation Inc. (Usrah) in Marawi City last Tuesday.
“Sincerity is out of the question because the GPH (Government of the Philippines) has always been sincere in the negotiations,” Barra said.
The consultation was made ahead of the next round of the GPH-MILF formal exploratory talks in Malaysia next week.
Barra is an aleem, a scholar on Islamic history, laws, and ways of life. Ulama is the plural form of aleem.
The forum was attended by Ulama from the municipalities of Ramain, Maranto, Masiw and Bacolod in Lanao del Sur.
Islamic educators from Mindanao State University-Marawi (MSU), Jamiatu Marawi Al-Islamia Foundation, and Qualisi International School were also in attendance.
Dean Talib Benito, head of the King Faisal Center for Islamic, Arabic and Asian Studies at the Mindanao State University, cited the importance of the consultations by the government.
“This consultation is important because it determines the valid opinions of the Ulama in Marawi with regard to the current GPH-MILF negotiations. We all hope for the speedy signing of a peace agreement between the two parties before the 2013 elections,” he said.
OPAPP said Barra provided pertinent information to the forum participants, particularly on the recent developments in the GPH-MILF talks wherein both parties signed the Decision Points on Principles in Kuala Lumpur last April 24.
The document contains 10 mutually identified standpoints that will guide the succeeding round of negotiations toward a final peace pact.
Aleem Abdul Salam Disomimba urged other Usrah members to get involved in the peace process.
“As Islamic educators, each of us should share our views with respect to the negotiations between the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. We know that our contribution is not limited,” he said. “What then can we suggest to the GPH and MILF panels?”
In response to this call, Judge Aboali Cali of the Regional Trial Court Shari’ah suggested the creation of a national and local contact group which will raise valid concerns and suggestions of the Bangsamoro groups in the area to the GPH and MILF panels.
He said he hopes for the panels to accommodate his proposal but stressed that he “recognizes the effort and help being provided (to the negotiations) by the International Contact Group (ICG) and the International Monitoring Team (IMT).”
The ICG, which is composed of members from international government and non-government groups, is mandated to exert the necessary leverage and assistance towards sustaining the trust and confidence of both sides at the negotiating table.
On the other hand, the IMT is a group that monitors the ceasefire, civilian protection component, rehabilitation and development, and socioeconomic agreements between the government and the MILF. It is comprised of representatives from Malaysia, Brunei, Libya, Japan, Norway and the European Union.
Meanwhile, Aleem Ustadj Omar raised the issue on the alleged delaying tactics happening in the talks. He said that “[he] knows from the past and up until now, that there are delaying tactics happening in the negotiations.”
However, Barra countered this allegation and reiterated his assurance that the GPH panel is sincere in its efforts to craft an agreement that will solve the Bangsamoro problem that has been there for over four decades.
He promised to relay their concerns to the GPH panel before the next round of talks wherein substantive issues will be tackled.
The GPH and MILF are expected to meet anew later this month to discuss thoroughly the substantive issues in the negotiations. (PNA)
JICA to extend more aid to Muslim Mindanao
COTABATO CITY, May 3 (PNA) – The Japanese government is willing to extend more development assistance to Muslim Mindanao once a peace agreement is signed between the government and Moro rebels, the president of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said.
Emerging from a meeting with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) officials in Maguindanao, JICA president Dr. Akihito Tanaka said Japan was very happy the existing development assistance being implemented in war torn areas in Muslim Mindanao were well appreciated and supported by the people.
“Japan is very happy that JICA assistance and undertakings are well appreciated and supported by the MILF and Bangsamoro people,” Tanaka told reporters after meeting with MILF officials, led by Chairman Murad Ebrahim and Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF political affairs chief.
Tanaka said JICA will certainly increase its assistance and cooperation in order to help build sustainable peace and development that will benefit all the people of Muslim Mindanao.
He noted that aside from the provinces composing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), JICA has other development projects in other parts of the country.
He said when there is peace as a result of a peace dialogues, the Bangsamoro and the people of Mindanao have many things to do to build and develop communities.
Both the JICA president and the MILF leadership shared optimism on the breakthroughs on the last peace talks in Malaysia where the government and MILF signed a 10 Decision Points of Principles that serves as the framework in the discussion and formulation of the comprehensive peace compact.
A political scientist, Tanaka said: “I know that peace process is very hard but with strong commitment and determination then all obstacles will be overcome.”
“One of our intentions is to make this as important consideration in devising best approaches to help the peace process and Mindanao development,” Tanaka said.
Earlier, Tanaka met with acting ARMM Gov. Mujib Hataman and both expressed optimism of the signing of the peace accord within the year.
Hataman assured Tanaka and other Japanese embassy officials of his administration’s support to the impending signing of a peace deal that will eventually bring forth development package for the impoverished region.
ARMM is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. (PNA)
PUBLIC URGED TO STUDY GPH-MILF PEACE TALK ISSUES
MANILA, May 4 (PNA) — Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles has called on the people to study the issues surrounding the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) so they can input their ideas in the crafting of a final peace agreement.
“Read and study. You will see how broad and deep the GPH-MILF peace process is. You will understand how much there is that needs to be discussed on the peace table,” Deles told stakeholders during the People Power Volunteers for Reform (PPVR) National Volunteers Expo held at the Xavier School Multipurpose Center in San Juan City early this week.
“Ask if there are things that need to be further explained and help in crafting an agreement that is acceptable to the majority,” she added.
In her speech, Deles stressed the value of citizen participation in the peace process, saying that “ordinary citizens should take part in supporting and guarding the peace talks,” in light of the successfully concluded 27th GPH-MILF formal exploratory talks held in Kuala Lumpur on April 24.
During the talks, both parties signed the Decision Points on Principles which serve as a guide in the discussions on the substantive agenda of the negotiations.
The peace adviser said that the milestone document will dismiss negative feedback that nothing is happening on the peace table.
Among those present at the PPVR confab were President Benigno S. Aquino III, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Commission on Overseas Filipinos Chairperson Imelda Nicolas, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas, National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Joel Rocamora, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Joel Villanueva, and Education Undersecretary Lino Rivera.
The expo was highlighted by the turnover to President Aquino of PPVR’s citizen mapping report which details the activities and projects of PPVR, and serves as a ready resource for civil society groups and government agencies in identifying who to engage on the ground in pursuing strategic local reform agenda.
A strong supporter of the peace process, PPVR is a national coalition of geographic Citizens Volunteer Assemblies and National Volunteer Organizations that commits itself to contributing to good governance and poverty alleviation. (PNA)
MILF military chief dies of heart attack
COTABATO CITY, May 4 (PNA) — The highest military leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) died of heart attack Thursday night in Lanao del Sur.
Aleem Abdul Azis Mimbantas, MILF vice chair for military affairs, succumbed to heart attack at about 11:50 p.m. Thursday in his house in Camp Palestine, Butig, Lanao del Sur, MILF vice chair for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said on Friday.
“We are sad of his untimely demise,” Jaafar added.
Mimbantas, a Muslim cleric, was named military chief in 2003 after Al Haj Murad, then vice chair for military affairs, was named MILF chieftain when founding Chairman Hashim Salamat died due to illness.
Mimbantas will be laid to rest at 3 p.m. Friday in Butig, Lanao del Sur. (PNA)
reports……
KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/04 May)—A senior official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front died of cardiac arrest Thursday night, another top official of the Front confirmed on Friday.
Ghazali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for political affairs, said that Aleem Abdul Azis Mimbantas, the Front’s vice chairman for military affairs, succumbed to stroke.
“He died in a hospital,” Jaafar told a radio station here, declining to give further details saying the MILF Central Committee would be issuing an official declaration.
Mimbantas reportedly died in Butig, Lanao del Sur.
His last known public appearance was on May 1 when the new president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, visited the Front’s main Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
Tanaka vowed that Jica will increase its assistance to Mindanao once the government and the MILF ink a final peace agreement.
Last August, Mimbantas was among the senior rebel officials who accompanied MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim in a historic meeting with President Benigno S. Aquino III in Tokyo, Japan.
The MILF is the largest Moro armed group in the country waging an armed struggle for self-rule. However, it has dropped its bid for independence and is negotiating instead for a Bangsamoro sub-state with “asymmetrical relations” to the Philippine state.
Peace talks between the government and the MILF have gained a significant stride last month after they agreed on the “ 10 Decision Points on Principles” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)
Signing of Decision Points on Principles part of GPH commitment to maintain transparency – Leonen
MANILA, April. 29 (PNA) — The Government of the Philippines (GPH) chief peace negotiator Marvic Leonen said over the 
weekend that the document Decision Points on Principles it signed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is not the final peace agreement but to make public the direction and substance of the peace negotiations.
“The government wants to know the viewpoints of the public on the peace process,” Leonen said, adding that the government will conduct dialogues and consultations with affected sectors in Mindanao.
He said that making the document open to the public by laying down commonalities in the proposals of both parties serves to “engage the public to learn and understand” the status and projection of the peace process.
The GPH and the MILF peace panels signed the document at the 27th formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur on April 24.
The Decision Points on Principles contains a list of initial agreements that will serve as a guide in the discussions on the substantive agenda of the negotiations.
Leonen reiterated that the signed document is not yet the final peace pact.
“It should be read as a memorandum for the parties of the general directions of the substantive negotiations to navigate the details and context in crafting a comprehensive peace agreement,” Leonen added.
Among the points laid out in the document are the creation of a new autonomous political entity to replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), strengthening of the Shariah courts, assertion of the people’s basic rights, as well as power and wealth sharing.
More consultations
Leonen said that the GPH panel is set to undertake more consultations with the people to generate inputs on how to move the peace process forward which has been off and on the past 15 years and interrupted by heavy fighting between government forces and MILF rebels in 2000 and 2008.
“Given the breadth of the constituencies involved which is national in scope, all we can do is make the best use of our time and resources not only to prepare for the negotiations, but also to conduct consultations,” he said.
“At the end of the day, we are directed by the President (Benigno S. Aquino III) who, in turn, is accountable to the people. We in the peace panel take care that our positions are always just and legitimate,” he added.
To date, the GPH has already conducted 66 consultations with “local officials, including mayors, governors within and around the ARMM, some members of House of Representatives, some members of the Senate, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, various civil society groups, and members of the media.”
Pressure from the ground
When asked if he thinks the crucial time to forge the peace agreement with the MILF is before the 2013 elections, Leonen said that he hopes the signing will happen as soon as possible because addressing the situation of areas in Mindanao is serious, urgent and important.
“It takes time, but we are considering the political realities. We are pressured because of the condition in the area; many people have died (because of the armed conflict),” he said. (PNA)
DURIANBURGDAVAO NEWS FORUM
FOR PEACE IN MINDANAO
UK impressed by progress in Mindanao peace process
MANILA, April 27 (PNA)–The British government has welcomed progress in the Mindanao peace process, following the signing on April 24 of the 10-point agreement between the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Kuala Lumpur.
The British government is a member of the International Contact Group (ICG) on the peace process. Diplomats from the British Embassy Manila and British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur were among those present at the talks this week.
In a statement released through the British embassy in Manila, Foreign Secretary William Hague said: I “welcome the progress which the latest round of peace talks made earlier this week in Kuala Lumpur.”
Hague, in a lecture on April 26 in Singapore, highlighted Britain’s participation in the ICG. “We are working in support of President Aquino’s efforts to resolve tensions in the Philippines through the Mindanao peace process, along with Malaysia, Brunei and other international partners,” he said.
In Manila, British Ambassador Stephen Lillie echoed Hague’s words. “There is still a lot of hard work to be done to reach a final agreement in Mindanao. But this week’s developments give a boost to confidence. They demonstrate that progress towards a just and lasting peace in Mindanao remains possible”.
Among the points in the agreement is the creation of a “new autonomous political entity,” or a Muslim sub-state, according to MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal.
This would replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which is comprised of the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao.
Aside from the UK, other ICG members are the governments of Japan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia and international NGOs the Asia Foundation, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Conciliation Resources, and Muhammadiyah.
The ICG was created to complement the work of the Malaysian facilitator, particularly to aid in maintaining a level of comfort and mutual trust between the negotiating parties. (PNA)
GPH-MILF PEACE TALKS RESUMPTION: “There is really still a long way to go.”
COMMENTARY
10-POINT PRELIMINARY COMMENT ON THE “GPH-MILF DECISION POINTS ON PRINCIPLES AS OF APRIL 2012″
by Judge Soliman M. Santos, Jr.
Naga City, 27 April 2012
1. GPH Peace Panel Chair Dean Marvic Leonen’s Statement of 24 April 2012 on the “GPH-MILF Decision Points on Principles As Of April 2012″ is already a very good summation of the import and true nature of this document, particularly his point that “it should be read as a memorandum for the Parties of the general directions of the substantive negotiations.” His summation may, however, turn out to be not completely shared by the MILF. In any case, one significant point he presented was the concrete application of the principle of transparency, of course within limits, with the release of the document AND its intended use for engagement of the public in the peace process.
2. The document is definitively a positive step forward but it is also indicative that there is really still a long way to go. Let there be no mistake about this or any undue euphoria again (like after the breakthrough Aquino-Murad meeting in Tokyo in August 2011) about this interim breakthrough.
3. The opening or introductory paragraph of the document is an important guide to it. It clarifies that it is not complete and to a large extent not also final. It not only avowedly helps guide further negotiations; it also helps demonstrate to the anxious publics some substantive progress in the talks. The latter — lest another round end without sufficient progress shown – appears to be the major impetus for the release of the document as early as Day 1 of the scheduled 3-day talks from 24 to 26 April 2012. Apparently, the panels were not ready for the agendaed remaining nitty-gritty discussions on power-sharing and wealth-sharing. At the same time, it is clear that the panels already had a draft of the 10-point document probably several months back, as they could not have just drawn this up in the morning of Day 1. Apparently, they could not previously finalize and agree to it. The nagging concern about a possible “stalemate” and the apparent push of others concerned was part of the push that led to its release.
4. For me, the most significant paragraphs in the document are 2, 3, 8 and 10. 6. Of these, Paragraph 2 is the most significant consensus point substance-wise. It indicates or lays the ground for a real breakthrough of “a new autonomous political entity in place of the ARMM” (underscoring supplied) that breaks through/away from the “unacceptable status quo.” The only logical direction of this is a qualitatively higher form of self-determination/self-governance than the level of the ARMM, which is a constitutionally mandated level, not just a RA 9054 level. There is no clear consensus yet though that this qualitatively higher level is the MILF-envisioned special asymmetrical semi-federal relationship which would definitely require a constitutional amendment — and for that matter for any arrangement qualitatively higher than the constitutional level of the ARMM which is tied to the status quo of the national unitary system of government (the old formula under the Constitution and its jurisprudence) that precisely has to be breached/broken through in Muslim Mindanao. And precisely this is at the core of the expectedly tougher nitty-gritty issues in the further negotiations on power-sharing and wealth-sharing. The reported GPH peace panel’s presscon statements on 25 April 2012 that “the two sides were talking about an autonomous political entity that would meet the requirements of the Constitution” and that “replacing the ARMM with a new entity would require getting Congress to pass a law” (rather than the more difficult process of a constitutional amendment) remains to be borne out by the MILF side.
5. Paragraph 3 is the assurance long sought by the MILF on “the continuity of negotiations in the context of agreed documents.” This was a matter that MILF Peace Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal had pounded on, with a recap of key agreed documents in the history of the negotiations, in his Opening Statement to the 27th Exploratory Talks on 24 April 2012. He among others highlighted from the “Tripoli Agreement on Peace” (2001) this paragraph under its “Security Aspect,” thus: “The negotiation and peaceful resolution of the conflict must involve consultations with the Bangsamoro people free from any imposition in order to provide chances of success and open new formulas that permanently respond to the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people for freedom.” (underscoring supplied) It is significant that Dean Leonen cites the 2010 “Declaration of Continuity of Peace Negotiation” under the preceding (and Aquino-hated) Arroyo administration and his predecessor GPH Panel Chair Ambassador Rafael Seguis’ statement thereon. Relatedly significant to continuity is Dean Leonen’s saying that “The Parties agreed to put these points in writing to fix their positions in the current stage of the negotiations,” as part of his explanation of the context of the 10-point document. In other words, it would appear that further negotiations can no longer diminish but can only enhance or add to the already achieved consensus points.
6. Paragraph 8 on the expansion of the jurisdiction of the Shari’ah courts and the new political entity’s competence over the Shari’ah justice system would mean a fuller autonomy or self-governance — not just executive and legislative but also judicial. This again may entail a constitutional amendment since the 1987 Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 18 refers to “the basic structure of government for the [autonomous] region consisting of [only] the executive department and legislative assembly” and allows for “the special courts with [only] personal, family, and property law jurisdiction consistent with the provisions of this Constitution and national laws.” Paragraph 8 also goes to the core of the Islamic aspiration since Shari’ah is Islamic law, where there is, among others, no principle of inviolable separation of Church and State but, on the contrary, the integration of region and politics. Note, on the other hand, Dean Leonen’s statement that ” The autonomous political entity envisioned is a secular political unit.” One wonders whether there is a common GPH-MILF vision on this.
7. Paragraph 10 on basic rights is of course significant in terms of constitutional rights and international human rights “already enjoyed” being definitely a part of the legal regime of the new political entity, which should be assuring to non-Moro sectors. At least three of the enumerated specific rights (in sub-paragraphs b, j and k) deal with religious freedom. Also significant are the enumerated specific rights pertaining to women’s political participation (sub-par. g), and on “pursuing democratically political aspirations” (sub-par. e) which has electoral implications. And quite significantly to be specifically enumerated, the “Right to seek constitutional change…” (sub-par f). This is not usually seen as a “basic right.” But, as they say, we will take it, especially in relation to needed charter change for peace.
8. The much-highlighted consensus in Paragraph 4 on “a ministerial form of government” deals with precisely that, “form,” not substance.
9. The document might be likened to the annual (1993, 1994, 1995) interim agreements of the GRP-MNLF peace negotiations which were however much more detailed and extensive in collating the consensus points as they developed with each annual round of Jakarta Talks until Final Peace Agreement in 1996. There might be some positive learnings also from that process — like the system of support/working/mixed committees, including the extensive tapping of Bangsamoro professionals, experts and resource/technical persons — that would help with the necessary nitty-gritty work in the further GPH-MILF peace negotiations. The MILF must also realize that not everything which the MNLF did was wrong or bad, and that recognition or credit should also be given where it is due. This is important for MILF-MNLF unity and Bangsamoro solidarity.
10. Lastly for now, I find the title of the document, “Decision Points on Principles,” a bit quaint or crudely formulated. It looks like it should instead be “Principles for Decision Points,” i.e. principles or even more precisely consensus points to guide further negotiations towards complete and final agreement. Several titles of key GPH-MILF peace documents tend to be similarly quaint or crudely formulated: “General Framework of Agreement of Intent” (1998) and “Declaration of Continuity of Peace Negotiation[no "s"]” (2010). Then in the middle of the text of the 10-point document, one suddenly sees in Paragraph 6.c an improperly placed parenthetical “FOOTNOTE.” It is as if the panels made no room for improvement in crafting, style and editing, for fear that it would open up the document to substantive changes. There are more examples of quaint and crude formulations in the main body of some key peace documents esp. from 2001 up. For example, Chairman Iqbal in his Opening Statement quoted from the “Tripoli Agreement on Peace” (2001) this paragraph under its “Rehabilitation Aspect,” thus: “The observance of international humanitarian law and respect for internationally recognized human rights instruments and the protection of evacuees and displaced persons in the conduct of their relations reinforce the Bangsamoro people’s fundamental right to determine their own future and political status.” We get the point but, what does the “Rehabilitation Aspect” and “the protection of evacuees and displaced persons in the conduct of their relations” have to do with “reinforc[ing] the Bangsamoro people’s fundamental right to [self-determination]“? RSD is governed indeed by “internationally recognized human rights instruments” but not by IHL, that is stretching it too far. All-told, a better job language-wise and document crafting-wise — if we can speak of learning negative lessons from the MOA-AD — can still be done.
GPH, MILF agree on talk points
“A major step forward.”
This was how Marvic Leonen, chairman of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel, described the 27th formal exploratory talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) with the identification and signing of the decision points on principles identified by both parties that provides a new level of momentum in the negotiations in Kuala Lumpur.
The document will serve as the framework for the peace agreement.
“Today, we move forward with a healthy amount of optimism tempered by prudence, recognizing the need now, more than ever, to be guided by lessons from the past and the needs of our people on the ground,” Leonen said.
“This marks a significant and concrete step forward by both Parties in their discussions of the substantive issues in these negotiations,” stated Leonen who explained that the listing of common points come from the panels’ respective initial positions -– the MILF, from their February 2011 Revised Comprehensive Compact, and the GPH, from its August 2011 ‘three-for-one’ proposal,” Leonen pointed out.
Not the final peace pact
Leonen explained that “this document is not yet the final peace agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.”
He said the GPH and MILF signed the document and they mutually recognized that there are various outstanding issues that still require further discussions between the panels and more difficult decisions for their principals.
The outstanding issues and the common points will be contextualized in the final peace pact, Leonen said.
Leonen vowed that the document will be made public as part of the government’s transparency program.
Putting the decision points into writing and opening them for the public to see, discuss and debate on are part of the government’s commitment “to maintain transparency” and “to continue dialogues and consultations with affected sectors,” he said.
Leonen reiterated the government’s determination to pursue a just and lasting peace in Mindanao.
“We look forward to the coming weeks of more thorough (perhaps, more difficult) conversations with the MILF and various affected sectors, with the understanding that only through peaceful and candid dialogues, open and public consultations and continuous reflections can a sincere, effective and acceptable solution be arrived at,” he said.
“Those who choose to be cynical of the objective to attain peace in Mindanao by peaceful means have indeed freely remarked that the ongoing peace talks have not achieved ‘much,’ especially with respect to the substantive issues at the core of the negotiations. Today, we dispel this cynicism,” Leonen added.
He said the listing is neither an “exclusive statement of all common points” nor a “detailed and precise statement of agreements,” but a “memorandum for the Parties of the general directions of the substantive negotiations, described in broad strokes.”
At the same time, the panel chair said that the listing contains initial points of agreement, such as power and resources sharing, and creation of an autonomous political entity that can replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), among others.
“The autonomous political entity envisioned is a secular political unit, existing within the Republic of the Philippines, located within its territory and subject to its sovereignty as a State,” Leonen stated.
He also said that the government of such political entity “shall also ensure guarantees of human rights and liberties for its inhabitants, such as religious freedom, the right of women to meaningful political participation, and freedom from ethnic, religious or sectarian harassment, in addition to rights already enjoyed.”
Both panels also agreed that the people should be actively engaged in “determining the role of Shariah courts and the Islamic principles of justice and fairness in the region to promote the efficient administration of justice.”
Joining Leonen in Kuala Lumpur are panel members Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Hamid Barra, Senen Bacani and Yasmin Busran-Lao. Also present are Brig. Gen. Leo Cresente M. Ferrer, GPH Senior Military Adviser; Major Carlos T. Sol, Secretariat Head of the GPH Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities; and Brig. Gen. Roland C. Amarille, Chair of the GPH Ad Hoc Joint Action Group. (PNA)
Rebel group infighting threatening Mindanao peace talks
GPH senior Army adviser urges MILF
to discipline men, prevent in-fighting
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, April 7 (PNA) – Clan wars, locally known as “ridos” in Maguindanao, continue to threaten the Mindanao peace process and raised calls for the Moro rebels talking peace with Manila to discipline their troops and prevent internal armed conflict.
Brig. Gen. Leo Cresente Ferrer, government senior military adviser, has called on the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to control its men locked in family feud who prefers to settle dispute through the barrel of guns.
“We will never stop urging the MILF to control their warring forces and help settle family disputes even before they can escalate to violence,” Ferrer said after two separate rido clashes erupted in Barangay Damalibi, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao and Barangay Balabac, Pikit, North Cotabato on Thursday.
About 100 families fled their homes and were assisted by by the Philipppine Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (MIB) and the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Light Armor Division, currently deployed in the area to help win the peace.
Brig. Gen. Ariel Bernardo, chair of the GPH Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), said that the first encounter was between the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters,(BIFF) led by Commander Rutin, and the MILF’s 118th Base Command (BC), Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), led by Commander Otok.
The clashes in Barangay Damalibi were triggered by a land dispute, which led to murder. Reports said Otok’s nephew, a farmer, was killed by the group of Rutin due to land squabbles. Thursday morning’s attack was believed to be Otok’s retaliation for his nephew’s murder.
Ferrer said the GPH-CCCH has already informed the army unit and the MILF-CCCH about the fighting.
“They have already requested the MILF-CCCH to direct the 118th Base Command to cease the fighting and leave the area once the BIFF elements have withdrawn.
