Tag Archives: peace talks
USAID, MinDA sign new agreement on peace and dev’t initiatives in Mindanao
COTABATO CITY– Making its commitment a reality, the US government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed a bilateral assistance agreement (BAA) with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) for the implementation of peace and development initiatives in southern Philippines.
The BAA was signed by USAID Deputy Administrator Donald Steinberg, USAID Philippines Mission Director Gloria Steele, representing the US government; and MinDA Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino for the Philippine government.
“This bilateral signing comes at an opportune time as we all gear up for an accelerated implementation of major peace and development initiatives in Mindanao,” Antonino said in a statement.
A cumulative amount of US$ 7.7 million is allocated through the agreement to strengthen the Mindanao Peace and Development Program (MPAD) implemented in six conflict-affected areas in Mindanao — Cotabato City, Isabela City, Zamboanga City, Marawi City, Jolo, and Southern Basilan.
MPAD, a USAID grant assistance currently under the oversight of MinDA, aims to promote economic growth in the identified areas through expansion of economic opportunities, infrastructure development, improvement in governance and social services.
Antonino said the USAID-MinDA partnership had been one of the most formidable tandems in the sphere of collaboration between the Philippine government and official development assistance.
Some of the MPAD projects under the oversight of MinDA are Growth with Equity in Mindanao Program (GEM-3), Microenterprise Access to Banking Services (MABS-4), Transparent and Accountable Governance (TAG-4) Project, Barangay Justice Service System (BJSS) Project, and Credit Union Empowerment and Strengthening (CUES) Project.
BJPP and CUES ended in February 2010 and December 2011, respectively, while the three other ongoing projects will all end in September 2012.
Bilateral agreements were also signed between the USAID and the Department of Health (DOH), Antonino said. The allocated funds will be used for the implementation of universal health care and family health programs.
These assistance agreements are in line with the priorities outlined in President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Social Contract with the Filipino People as well as with the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan and the Philippine Development Plan.
“This partnership strongly supports the implementation of programs that promote inclusive growth in the Philippines under the Partnership for Growth (PFG),” Steinberg said.
PFG is a partnership between the governments of US and Philippines that is seen to fast track the reforms of growth centers in various localities including in Mindanao, and provide remote and conflict-affected areas with more opportunities for growth.
“It’s not just about economics or governance. It is mainly about the (Filipino) people,” stressed Steinberg in a statement released by MinDA.
Philippines is one of the only four countries identified to be part of the PFG. MinDA has already committed to continue providing the needed oversight support for the MPAD initiatives in Mindanao.
USAID is among the international organizations that have been extending assistance to Muslim Mindanao or areas where past armed conflicts hindered the development of communities. (PNA)
MILF ready to resume talks, hopes for the ‘best’
With the southern peace talks now in the crucial stage, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) expressed hopes on Monday that “things will turn out smoothly” as negotiations proceed.
Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief peace negotiator, said they are ready to resume peace talks with the government and just awaiting the date of the next meeting.
“It’s difficult to predict [the negotiations] but we are hoping for the best [once we meet again],” he said over the phone.
Malaysia, the mediator of the southern peace process, has yet to set the date for the resumption of amity talks that shall be concurred upon by both the government and the MILF, Iqbal said, adding they are looking towards the end of May for the resumption of the negotiations.
During the 27th exploratory talks in April, the parties agreed to meet again this month.
Significantly, both sides signed in their last meeting in Kuala Lumpur the “Decision Points on Principles,” which shall serve as the framework in the discussion and formulation of the comprehensive peace compact.
Aside from the creation of a new autonomous political entity to replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the points laid out in the signed document include introducing the ministerial system, strengthening of the Shari’ah courts, protection of the people’s basic rights, and power and wealth sharing between the national government and the autonomous body.
In their next meeting, Iqbal said the MILF may bring up on the negotiating table the creation of a new Moro entity and territory matters.
Both parties earlier agreed to continue talks on wealth and power sharing, he added.
Mario Victor Leonen, government chief peace negotiator, said they are exercising “due diligence” in negotiating with the Moro rebels as issues are expected to become more difficult on the peace table.
In a statement, he said the government is carefully examining substantive issues particularly those of legal concern, such as the creation of a new political autonomous entity that will replace the current ARMM, as well as power-sharing and wealth-sharing that are contained in the Decision Points on Principles.
Emphasizing that the peace negotiations is conducted within the framework of the Constitution, Leonen pointed out that agreeing to create a new political autonomous entity is allowed as stated in Article 10, Section 15 to 22.
He cited Section 15 which stated that “there shall be created autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao…(in) areas sharing common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage, economic and social structures, and other relevant characteristics within the framework of this Constitution and the national sovereignty as well as territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Further, Leonen said that “the basis of autonomy is democracy.”
“In the national politics, there will always be a minority whose views and concerns cannot be always accommodated because they could never become a majority. Thus, the only way to guarantee a level of democracy is allow them to govern in one region, but still remain in the entire Republic of the Philippines,” he explained.
Leonen stressed that the peace negotiations with the MILF is at the “peak of its discussions” on political settlement.
The parties are set to discuss substantive issues in the next round of talks this May. This includes deliberating “details and particulars” on power-sharing, wealth-sharing between the national government and the envisioned new autonomous political entity, mode of defining its geographical area, transition and normalization mechanism, according to another statement from the Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.
“We are now at the heart of the negotiations on political settlement. Such political settlement needs continuous consultations with different sectors. This will go through a political process (in the different branches of government and in the national and local governments),” Leonen said. (PNA)
Leonen says next round of talks between GPH, MILF will be very difficult
Marvic Leonen, chair of the government peace panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), has admitted that the next round of exploratory talks “will be very difficult” as both sides will now tackle the substantive issues to find a peaceful solution to end the decades-old Mindanao armed conflict.
“We are now at the heart of the negotiations on political settlement. Such political settlement needs continuous consultations with different sectors. This will go through a political process (in the different branches of government and in the national and local governments),” Leonen said.
The next round of talks will be held in Kuala Lumpur later this month.
The two peace panels will deliberate on the “details and particulars” on power-sharing, wealth-sharing between the national government and the envisioned new autonomous political entity, mode of defining its geographical area, transition and normalization mechanism.
“We move forward. It’s clear where the peace talks are leading us — as laid out in the Decision Points on Principles,” Leonen stated.
He pointed out that while there is guarded optimism and due diligence, the next talks will be very difficult.
Leonen assured that the government will remain engaged in the peace talks, saying that “it is important that we find a just and lasting solution to this problem in Mindanao.”
Meanwhile, civil society organizations (CSOs) in Mindanao have underlined the importance of their role in the peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF.
“We need to be aware of the position of the two panels to keep pushing the talks further,” the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) quoted Mary Ann Arnado, secretary-general of the Mindanao People’s Caucus (MPC).
The government has been conducting consultative meetings in various parts of Mindanao to inform the people on the important issues in ongoing peace negotiations.
The MPC, a group of non-government groups in Mindanao, is helping the GPH and the MILF find common grounds in the peace negotiations.
Last month, the GPH and the MILF signed the Decision Points on Principles during the 27th formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur.
The document contains 10 mutually identified common standpoints that serve as a framework for the final peace agreement.
The MPC, together with the Bishops-Ulama Conference, Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, International Alert and Mindanao Solidarity Network, has been convening various groups from civil society to hear updates from the respective peace panels of the government and the MILF “in order to plan together to support the parties on pushing further the negotiations toward the signing of a peace agreement.” (PNA)
GPH peace panel to hold more dialogues in Mindanao on peace process with MILF
After more than 70 public consultations in the past few months, 
the government peace panel will conduct more dialogues with stakeholders in Mindanao before the resumption of exploratory talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) set in Kuala Lumpur late this month.
Marvic Leonen, chair of the government peace panel, said on Monday a survey is also being conducted to feel the pulse of different sectors in southern Philippines on their views and opinions about the peace process.
The government peace panel had just held public consultation in Zamboanga City over the weekend.
Leonen assured the people that that the government is exercising “due diligence” in its negotiation with the MILF as issues are expected to become more difficult in the forthcoming negotiations.
The panel chair said that the government is carefully examining substantive issues, particularly legal aspects such as the creation of a new political autonomous entity that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the power-sharing and wealth-sharing that are contained in the Decision Points on Principles signed by both parties during the 27th formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur last month.
The consultation in Zamboanga City was attended by civil society, business groups, security sector and the media.
During the dialogue, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles explained the GPH-MILF Decision Points on Principles which contains 10 common stand points mutually identified by both parties to serve as a framework for the final peace agreement.
Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat attended the consultation.
Leonen reiterated that the peace negotiation with the MILF is conducted within the framework of the Constitution.
He said the creation of a new political autonomous entity is allowed as stated in Article 10, Sections 15 to 22 of the Constitution.
Section 15 states that “there shall be created autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao…(in) areas sharing common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage, economic and social structures, and other relevant characteristics within the framework of this Constitution and the national sovereignty as well as territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Further, he said “the basis of autonomy is democracy.”
“In the national politics, there will always be a minority whose views and concerns cannot be always accommodated because they could never become a majority.
Thus, the only way to guarantee a level of democracy is allow them to govern in one region, but still remain in the entire Republic of the Philippines,” Leonen said.
In her message, Deles underscored that the government fully recognizes the concerns of the people, saying “that’s why we are here. The panel conducts consultations in order to directly listen to the views of the public.”
On the same note, Leonen said that the GPH panel “takes to heart the concerns” of the people and consider them on the negotiating table.
He said the panel has already conducted more than 70 consultations.
During the forum, Fr. Bert Alejo of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University asked “what constitutes valid and sufficient consultations” in view of the peace process, taking into account the lessons of the 2008 MOA-AD (Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain) that was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court due to lack of public consultations.
It may be recalled that the aborted signing of the MOA-AD had triggered renewed fighting between government forces and the MILF in some parts of Central Mindanao four years ago.
Leonen agreed that “sufficient consultations” should be clearly defined, adding that consultations are not only one set and not always a formal one.
He said “it may be a bit too legalistic” to qualify valid consultations while falling short of “looking behind its spirit.”
Leonen also said that “consultation means listening earnestly, trying to understand the points raised by various sectors, and reflecting it as best as we can in order for persons making the political decision (from the different branches of government) to be properly informed.”
The GPH panel is set to conduct more consultations with key stakeholders before their next round of formal meeting with the MILF panel by the end of this month. (PNA)
JICA President meets MILF Central Committee in first official trip abroad
President Tanaka and the Central Committee, the highest governing body of the MILF, cited the meeting as “historic and momentous.”
“This is my first official trip abroad since becoming JICA President in last month and this meeting with MILF leadership is indeed an honor and privilege for me and my party as well as very welcoming,” Dr. Tanaka.
“I am very honored and grateful for the warm welcome extended by the MILF for my delegation,” Tanaka said.
Ghazali Jaafar, MILF Vice Chairman for Political Affairs, in his statement, said “Your Excellencies, this Courtesy Meeting, just like the Courtesy Meeting between Madame Sadako Ogata and Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim in 2006 also at Camp Darapanan, is indeed historic and momentous.”
“This is a tremendous boost to the quest for peace, justice and development with the ongoing peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Bangsamoro people being represented by the MILF,” he said.
“His Excellency Dr. Tanaka, kindly convey our profound gratitude to Madame Ogata for all the invaluable contribution and assistance to the MILF – GPH Peace Process during her stint as the highest official of JICA. We kindly ask you to convey, as well, the highest respect and appreciation of the MILF and the Bangsamoro people to the Government of Japan and its people being led His Excellency Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda for the unfaltering and robust commitment to support the peace process between the government and MILF,” Jaafar said.
MILF Vice Chairman for Military Affairs, Aleem Abdul Aziz Mimbantas, Mohagher Iqbal, MILF Peace Panel Chairman, MILF Central Committee officials, General Staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) headed by Aleem Pangalian, Atty. Datu Micahel Mastura, Peace Panel Senior Member, Dr. Safrullah Diapatuan and Mohammad Yacub of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), and Said Shiek of MILF CCCH were also present.
President Tanaka was joined by His Excellency Minister Keizo Takewaka, Political Section Embassy of Japan, and top officials from JICA Headquarters in Tokyo and in the Philippines headed by Chief Representative Sasaki.
Jaafar said MILF remains committed and ready to hand its support and cooperation to all humanitarian assistance of JICA, even as he gave assurance of security cooperation and coordination through the CCCH and IMT for the JICA collaborations.
The Japanese contingents with Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT), Mr. Naoyuki Ochiai and Mr. Kei Fukunaga, and the Japanese member of International Contact Group (ICG) for the GPH – MILF Peace Talks, His Excellency Minister Keizo Takewaka were also lauded by the MILF leadership.
For his part, President Tanaka said “I am very happy to note that JICA assistance and undertakings are well appreciated and supported by the MILF and Bangsamoro people.”
He said JICA is fully committed to support the peace process between the government and MILF, adding “once the peace agreement between the two parties is concluded then JICA will certainly increase its assistance and cooperation in order to help build sustainable peace and development that will benefit all the people.”
“When there is peace agreement, there are many things that the people of Mindanao and the Bangsamoro can do to build upon its gains on long term with JICA and the Japanese Government,” he stressed.
Both the JICA President and the MILF leadership shared optimism on the breakthroughs on the last peace talks in Malaysia, wherein 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.
“The MILF welcome this breakthrough with cautions. While we see the light at the end of the tunnel, we know very well that there are still so many challenges and obstacles along the way. It is not yet the time to celebrate and rejoice,” Jaffar said.
“As a political scientist, I know that peace process is very hard but with strong commitment and determination then all obstacles will be overcome,” Tanaka said.
“I am fully aware and convince that both the leadership and MILF are committed and serious to make the peace process succeed,” he added.
“This is my first official visit abroad. One of our intentions is to make this as important consideration in devising best approaches to help the peace process and Mindanao development.”
President Tanaka assured that JICA will continue to support and work together with BDA, the development arm of MILF.
JICA President: ‘MILF leaders are capable’
