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PNoy-Murad meet: “a great leap forward” for the peace process
By Carolyn O. Arguillas
Mindanews
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim shook hands and talked peace for two hours in a hotel in Japan with their respective panel chairs taking down notes, the President’s Cabinet members and the MILF’s peace panel and Central Committee members as well as the Malaysian facilitator waiting outside the meeting room.
The President and the MILF chair agreed to move the negotiations forward to ensure that whatever agreement is forged can be implemented within the Aquino administration whose term ends on June 30, 2016, the chairs of both panels told MindaNews in separate telephone interviews. How the talks can move forward, the panels will discuss when they meet within the month, they said.
“This explains the silence,” government peace panel chair Marvic Leonen and MILF chair Mohagher Iqbal, said.
Both panels had kept the meeting under wraps since late June. President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address on July 25 was silent on the peace process.
The panels were supposed to meet in Kuala Lumpur on August 2 to 4 in KL, where government was expected to present its counter-proposal to the MILF draft peace settlement submitted in February. As agreed upon in the April 27 to 28 talks, government was supposed to submit its draft peace proposal during the June 27 to 28 talks also in KL.
But Leonen said President Aquino wanted to meet with Murad (as the MILF chair is popularly called), hence the deferment of the submission of the counter proposal and the transformation of the June 27 talks into an executive session so they could discuss the President’s offer to meet the MILF chair.
Iqbal had referred to a “grand gesture” on the part of the government peace panel, as quoted in the MILF’s website on June 28. But he did not elaborate on what the “grand gesture” was all about.
Thursday’s meeting was scheduled in the evening, after Iftar (breaking of the fast), in deference to Ramadan. Leonen said it started at 8:45 p.m. and lasted two hours. Iqbal said the meeting took an hour and 40 minutes. The two chairs took notes as their two principals talked.
“There was a general agreement on the need to come to an agreement very, very soon, to fast-track the peace negotiations,” Leonen said.
“There is something to hope for but it takes a lot of legworking,” Iqbal said.
He said the meeting “adds confidence to the parties to proceed. The meeting gives more reasons for the parties to strive hard (at reaching an agreement),” he added.
Iqbal said the meeting ended with a handshake. “The mood at times was jolly, at times, serious,” he said.
“They had good chemistry,” Leonen noted.
Asked if there was mention on the appointment of officers in charge who would serve the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for 21 months from September 30, Leonen said, “they did not talk about that. “
President Aquino’s party included Leonen, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and government peace panel member Miriam Coronel-Ferrer.
Murad’s party included Iqbal, some panel members and MILF Central Committee members.
Iqbal said the Malaysian facilitator of the talks, Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, “has full knowledge of the meeting. He was present during the meeting but not insider the meeting room.”
The parties had a “greet and meet” session before the President, Murad and the two panel chairs entered the meeting room.
Thursday’s meeting came exactly three years to the day the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the already initialed Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), preventing the government panel from signing the agreement the next day in Kuala Lumpur.
The President actually did what her mother did 25 years ago.
The Preident’s mother, Corazon Aquino, President from 1986 to 1992, met with Moro National Liberation Front chair Nur Misuari in Sulu on September 5, 1986, to talk peace. The meeting paved the way for the resumption of the peace talks which had collapsed under the Marcos dictatorship.
President Aquino’s party is expected to arrive in Manila at 1:30 p.m. today.
Japan was mutually chosen as venue because it is a member of the International Contact Group and International Monitoring Team which are bodies involved in the ongoing peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF.
The talks have not collapsed during that time. On the other hand, it had been concluded with the aid of Moammar Khaddafi. That document is more popularly known as the Tripoli Agreement. The autonomous region was thereafter created, and MNLF leader Misuari self-exiled abroad. The Mindanao problem was finally resolved. Mindanao has not seen peace like it.
It was a breakaway faction headed by Salamat Hashim who rejected the autonomous region formula and called for total independence, this small group later became the MILF which at the time was already insignificant.
But the zombie of Misuari was breathed new life as two idiotic Corystas – Nene Pimentel and Butch Aquino, fetched Misuari from exile and brought him back to ARMM. The Mindanao problem has resurrected since then.
They should have followed the old adage: “Let sleeping dogs lie.”
I don’t see a need then for another peace talk when Misuari had already agreed to autonomy in front of their financier, Khaddafi.
Now I understand why Pimentel is pushing for Federalism, he wants to give away ARMM to the Moros.
Don’t forget they also released Joma Sison from prison. Joma immediately fled to Utrecht and has not returned since 1986. I’m not surprised there were many disgruntled military officers staging coups one after another.
Tongue, Gazmin was with Pnoy in this meeting. So, I suppose it has the consent of the military.
I think so too. But I was referring to the time of Cory. They gave the rebels belligerency instead of considering them mere insurgents. This bought them time to lick their wounds and much leeway in their recruitment.
Although I wish the talks today will succeed, there are forces out to stir trouble including our neighbor in the southwest.
I hope they are able to find solution to the issue of ancestral domain.
Ang gulo! Bakit hindi na lang sa Malacanang ipatawag kung sino man ang gustong kausapin ni Pnoy, bigyan na lang nila ng pass? Gumastos pa! Bakit todo sekreto ang usapan sa peace talk, akala ko ba may transparency sa lahat ng isyung pambansa?
“They had good chemistry,”
The parties had a “greet and meet” session before the President, Murad and the two panel chairs entered the meeting room.
Finally….
“There was a general agreement on the need to come to an agreement very, very soon, to fast-track the peace negotiations,”
Ito lang ba ang usapan na naganap pa sa Japan?
Sana nga napag-usapan ang ancestral domain at meron ng hinaharap na solusyon, sayang mga power suits nila.
I wonder if Pnoy will also hold meetings with the MNLF and other groups in Mindanao. MILF lang ba kelangan para sa peace talk na tunay sa region?
Personally I would prefer that there should only be one standing army in the country, the AFP, but all out war and tough talks in the past didn’t seem to work. Again lets try talking, talking, and then talking some more, who knows. According to Churchill, to jaw jaw is better than to war war anyway.
The rebel leaders in the past like Joma Sison were given their shot at peace and their voice heard but they blew it. Was it because they doubted the sincerity of the government knowing fully well the grip of some unscrupulous generals on the necks of necks of presidents? Clean up the military and they won’t find any reason not to go back to the folds of normal society. If they still insist, to hell with them and let them take Satur Ocampo, Lisa Mata, the KMU, the LFS, and all the troublemakers so we can have some peace and quiet already.
Ideally there shouldn’t be any MILF/MNLF, etc. Its time we find out what these people really want. Why the need to fight the government? Whats the difference between us and them? What do they aspire for? Do they really speak for the Muslim majority? Where do we differ, what is our common ground? We need to thresh these things out to find out if we can really coexist, then again, they aren’t really serious in talking peace if they still brandish guns.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the talks would expose some generals’ kalokohan in Mindanao. Trillanes was quite vocal about these before why the sudden silence?
Chi,re # 10. the government under FVR already had a peace agreement with MNLF. Their armed component have already been assimilated in the military.
There was a problem though in the implementation of the development programs because of Misuari and his men, who were not able to transition successfully from warriors to government administrators.
Remember Misuari was made ARMM governor for many years and what happened to ARMM?
What do the rebels want? Power! No use talking with them with that kind of mindset. I agree with what Erap did during his time, he ordered an all out war against the rebels and captured several major camps. He believes that the gov’t should negotiate from a position of strength.
Marami pang kailangang gawin para sa “peace” sa Mindanao. A lot of people had been displaced by the “war”. Ang mga bata mangmang ang all they know is to hold a pistol. Ano ang dapat gawin sa mga ito? How can they be rehabilitated. Kung bibigyan mo naman ng mga lupa itong mga ito matututo ba silang magsaka? O mas lucrative yung humawak ng baril dahil mas maraming kita sa kidnapping na may ransom. How can these hard core criminals change their ways? Baka ang magyari dyan, gagatasan lang nila ang gobierno ng pera para sa “progress” kuno yun pala ibibili nila ng mga baril atbp. I do not see any point making peace with these hoodlums. Helping the peace loving muslims, pwede pa but the terrorist groups, forget it!
Sadly, it seems like it’s the rebels who’s dictating and negotiating from a position of strength so much so that the president had to “beg” for an audience with them in a neutral country. I agree with Sen. chiz when he said that the president is ill advised:
“I think the President may have been ill-advised to meet personally as he is not even his counterpart and this might not be even a good tactic regarding negotiations (for a peace pact) with them (MILF),” – Sen Chiz Escudero
Di pwedeng malamya ang dating ng gobyerno sa pakikipagusap sa mga rebeldeng walang gustong gawin kundi maghasik ng lagim.
mike.
You have to read Chi’s words more, he said that the president should have “deniability” and that the he should let the negotiating panel deal with these people. That smacks of insincerity, of a lack of transparency, leaving a way for you to go back on your words later on. Shame on him.
A leader must take the bull by the horns, Aquino’s personal meeting with them shows that the government is sincere, that the president has no hidden agenda.
The all out war didn’t work, if we go that way again it will escalate the conflict into worst case scenarios. Erap may have looked like a tough cowboy during that time but the risk of making the Mindanao conflict appear as a “persecution of Muslims” will draw other Muslim countries’ support. Before we know it we’ll have a jihad at our doorstep complete with the backing of more powerful Muslim states.
We have to treat this issue with honesty and sincerity, to really understand the real needs of our Muslim brothers, treat them as Filipinos, let them feel that they too are under the protection of a genuine democratic government. For the moment treat the Abu Sayaf as a different issue, as a police matter and not allow it to cloud our judgment with anger. Too many lives have been lost in this conlict and unless I’m willing to put my own life on the line, personally I don’t want to see our soldiers risking life and limb anymore, stop the killing first, they too are Filipinos. If we just kill them, many more will take their place, they will lose ground initially but the impetus of defending their land, their people, fed by a strong religious fervor will prove to be a lose/lose situation, nobody wins. Engaging in an all out war with them is like playing a game where everybody loses and the only way to win is not to play the game at all.
Hopefully, our muslim brothers will see the light of day, that there is no need to have a separate state or separate government, and that they are no different from any other FIlipino who enjoys the benefits of democracy that works.
Hopefully. Kung walang manggagatong.
Hopefully this administration will look closely at the Mindanao issue with the objective of actually resolving it. There are parties who benefit from a protracted conflict from both sides and these must be weeded out. Some people on out side were taking advantage of the conflict, enriching themselves, same with their side.
Hopefully this time around both parties cut through the defense mechanisms built all these years of suspicion and taking unfair advantage, abuse, etc., our muslim brothers will be convinced or they just realize/accept by themselves that a genuine peace is the road to prosperity.
The key here is for them to “trust” in the government and accept it like the rest of us FIlipinos, and that they are not getting the raw end of the deal at all.
Jug, I genuinely believe that the president is sincere and meant well. That he trully believes that a peaceful resolution to the conflict will bring peace and stability in the region. But I differ with his approach. There are more peace loving Muslims than there are rugged ones. The minority composed of the rebel groups has a different and selfish agenda, they want to rule, to perpetuate themselves in power without the dictates of the national government. Like a spoiled child, they won’t know their place if spared the rod.
Several peace agreement has already been agreed upon. But what do we get? Breakaway groups disagrreing and it’s back to square one. Enough is enough, the gov’t must show it’s muscles in containing these rugged elements.
#13. Thanks Ellen.
“There was a problem though in the implementation of the development programs because of Misuari and his men, who were not able to transition successfully from warriors to government administrators.”
I hope Pnoy and advisers have focused plans to fix this problem by appointing a good and well-intentioned OIC governor at ARMM.
Ellen, I am also concerned of the peaceful groups in the region, I hope their opinions or whatever they say about attaining lasting peace in the region be given attention, too (kahit superficial lang), para hindi naman sila maiwan sa usapan.
I trust in the sincerity of Pnoy to put an end to the peace problem in Mindanao, pero hindi ako ayon sa mga advisers na kinakaladkad nila ng sekreto ang pangulo kung saan-saan para kausapin ang dapat kausapin. First, Malacanang is the seat of the presidential power, si Murad hindi nya ka-level, kaya dapat ipatawag sa Palasyo dahil ang usapan ay pambansang isyu. Second, ang kanyag personal na security. I could just imagine kung meron traidor…!
Hindi sa gusto kong sisihin lahat ng kapalpakan kay Gloria, pero nung inagaw niya ang kapangyarihan kay Erap, sa isang iglap ay isinoli nya lahat ng kampong hawak na ng gobyerno sa mga rebeldeng MILF.. The gov’t then already had the upperhand, why return it to them? Di mo tuloy masisi ang mga sundalo nuon na mainis kay bulinggit. Binuwis nila ang kanilang buhay upang mabawi at masakop ang mga kampo at kuta ng mga rebelde para isoli ng Gloria.
Mike,
Yes Gloria made a boboo that time, if there were only two options ie all out peace or all out war, we started with the latter already why suddenly make the shift? Was she that naive to believe any peace negotiation was still possible when both parties didn’t trust each other any more? The rebels just used the time to regroup and gather strength to strike again.
Maybe she was banking too much on her warlords to neutralize the MILF?
As I said earlier, some people are benefitting from a prolonged conflict situation in Mindanao, follow the money trail see whose pockets were lined and weed them out. Take away all who took undue advantage and really come to the negotiating table with a clear and sincere intention of looking out for each other’s welfare, no hidden agendas, come out clean, no castles in the air promises, just practical attainable, even if small scale goals initially, and lets see. If we really exhausted every possible means and then some more but nothing happens ( provided there are no agitators from both sides, no sabotage), by that time most of the muslim world would have appreciated our sincerity and genuine efforts at peace and these rebel leaders have shown their true colors – then take them out.
I may be not be popular in my respect for Trillanes, but I believe he’s one of the rare breed who goes beyond the “samahan” the “brotherhood” or the fraternity like mentality of supposedly honorable men when the welfare of the country is on the line.
This is what is happening in Mindanao, thats why Aquino has to risk political assets and even security just to show that the government is sincere this time around.
————————————–
Trillanes said Oplan Greenbase included the “clearing” of the Buliok complex in Pikit, North Cotabato, from MILF influence so that the land, believed to be rich in oil and other natural resources, could be developed by foreign business groups.
He said the bombing in March and April 2003 of the Davao International Airport and Sasa Wharf, both in Davao City, where scores of civilians were killed, were also implementations of Greenbase.
“I had to find out whether President Arroyo was in on it or not. That’s how I ended up in Malacañang [on July 13, 2011], to see for myself,” Trillanes said.
He continued with his story: “I presented [the document] to her. [I said,] ‘Ma’am, what is this? Can you explain to us what this is all about, because this is causing a lot of demoralization in the ranks?’
“She went over it. She didn’t speak. Sa taray niya (despite her shrewish manner)—you know, like if I show you a check with your signature, if it’s not yours, you’d react—but she just kept quiet. She looked at General (Delfin) Bangit, and Bangit intervened. He said, ‘You know, hijo (son), there are some things you don’t need to know.’”
“That was not the answer I was looking for.
“Then I said something like, ‘This officer is corrupt, and you are going to promote him.’ And I was waiting for her to tell me, ‘Ganito kasi yan (This is how it is)…’
“I was still holding on to the Edsa II propaganda—that we removed a corrupt president and replaced him with this woman who will usher in new politics, new government, moral regeneration. A woman with a Ph.D. and political pedigree. I was still holding on … But nothing.
“In that meeting, I saw what a heartless person she was. She did not deserve to stay a second longer in office. She didn’t care about the soldiers, about the people. Nothing. The only thing she cared about was her image as President. I saw it, believe me. I felt it. Which was why my determination was firmed up.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/37423/trillanes-can%E2%80%99t-forget-arroyo-in-green-pajamas
Jug, kailangang mahasa muna si Trillianes. He has to come closer to the realities of life in the Philippines. Idealism is good but on running a country like the Philippines, kailangan din ng pagka-street smart kundi puro drawing lang and the vultures will just devour him. He has the making of a president kaya lang, hindi yung susunod na election. He is still very young anyway. Siguro in another 12 yrs, ready na siya.
Kung pagbibigyan ni Pnoy ang mga kagustuhan ng MILF, eh yung MNLF, Abus and NPAs, ano naman ang para sa kanila?
psb,
Up to now there is no clear and honest picture of what these groups really want. If you look at their ideologies, its not bad really, maybe something went wrong in the implementation of sorts?
These people at one time were fighting for something good, unfortunately things went awry along the way as it always does when something is working against you, you become defensive, go to survival mode, and the real reason why you started is blurred by violence.
The unions are good for us as they limit the corporations greed and force them to be socially responsible but when shady elements get into the picture its another story.
Let’s hear them out properly this time and judge for ourselves which ones are practicable or not.
@Jug, #25:
Di ako magtataka kung may kumita sa pagsoli ng mga kampo sa MILF. Ang tanong, sino ang mga kumita?
I knew it! Never trusted those guys.
http://m.gmanews.tv/story/228864/bangsamoro-sub-state-raised-during-aquino-murad-meet-milf-exec
mike,
Calm down, hehehe. Lets allow them to show their cards first, mas mahirap pag hindi nag uusap.
Jug,
Ok, ok. Palamig muna ako, kailangan ko ng SMB pale pilsen. Sensya na sa mga fans ng San mig light. 🙂