While everybody was busy moving heaven and earth to prevent Justice Alberto Agra from clearing Zaldy Ampatuan, former governor of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao, and his uncle Akmad of complicity in the Nov 23, 2009 massacre in Maguindanao, the government panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Muslim rebel group are moving towards signing agreement that officials say would lead to peace in Mindanao but others are concerned could spark another round of war.
Are the two issues connected? After all, didn’t the government arm and coddle the Ampatuans as vigilantes against the MILF?
We hope Agra’s shocking decision of exonerating the two Ampatuans from the crime so shocking it earned for the Philippines the dubious distinction of being the most dangerous country for journalists was not meant to make us too pre-occupied that they would be able to finally sign an agreement that would result in the dismemberment of the country.
In a 10-paragraph joint statement that Ambassador Rafael Seguis, chair of the Philippine government panel and Mohagher Iqbal, MILF panel chair at the conclusion of the 18th round of exploratory talks last Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur, there’s a one sentence that is causing a lot of concern to many who are worried that Arroyo would try again what she failed to do last year with the MOA-AD (Memorandum of Agreement- Ancestral Domain), which is to create a Bangsamoro state within the Philippine state.
It’s the second from the last paragraph. It said, “The Parties formally exchanged amended draft proposals and matrices, discussed their proposals and agreed on areas of common ground, subject to endorsement by the Panels to their respective principals. This would be the basis of crafting the interim document in early May 2010.”
Deceptively simple, the sentence hid the contentious issues of autonomy, areas of jurisdiction, and ancestral domain. It didn’t even mention the word “agreement”. Just “an interim document in early May 2010.”
Mindanews’ Carol Arguillas, who has closely followed the peace negotiations, said, “The crafting of the two-page, 10-paragraph Joint Statement appears to have been carefully studied as it lumped in one paragraph only, the discussions on the draft interim agreements.”
Ambassador Seguis said the document would simply be a framework of an agreement that could be worked out later under the new administration. He added that it’s not sure yet whether there would be an interim agreement that would be signed, in answer to the request by North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol for a copy of the accord which is supposedly to be signed before the end of Gloria Arroyo’s presidency on June 30.
As to calls to suspend the talks and not bind the new government with any agreement with the MILF, Seguis said, “Why should we walk away from the peace process?” He said it is important that they preserve the gains the peace process has achieved these past years.
Seguis denied any knowledge of the reported expressed desire by the United States for a peace agreement with the MILF.
Government sources said an agreement with the MILF was reportedly one of the two concerns (the other is May 2010 elections must push through) that US State Secretary Hillary Clinton conveyed to Arroyo when she visited here last year.
Sources said Arroyo needs to deliver the agreement in order to be assured of United States hospitality in case she would need a safe haven from the wrath of the Filipino people once she is out of office.
We go back to our earlier question, was the exoneration of Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan a diversionary tool from what the government fear would be another public outrage over an agreement that would dismember the country to accommodate the MILF and the Americans?
At this point, we could not just rule out anything. Arroyo has done many things unthinkable. Be prepared for more as long as she is still in power.
Aba, miracle, I was able to get in after almost 10 hours of being inaccessible.
Ellen:
same problem here mozilla, but i can get through using Internet Explorer 8 browser..now it’s ok for both.
But I still believe that the decision by Agra has the implicit approval of Malacanang hoping that with the Election issues so hot, the public will soon cool down and they can let the issue die down, same as every other similar shameless transgression the Palace been doing everytime…and the sad part is GMA believes that her impunity will last forever and she is dead wrong.
Statement of CenterLaw Philippines
c/o Atty. Harry Roque
Thanks, Vic, for your patience.
In one aspect, the US has always been consistent. It is both a friend and an enemy. The bottom line is always “What is best for Uncle Sam”.
“…..Seguis said, “Why should we walk away from the peace process?” He said it is important that they preserve the gains the peace process has achieved these past years….”
What gains from these peace talks have been enjoyed by the people?
Does Seguis not know that everytime there is a peace negotiation these criminals/terrorists are able to regroup, replenish and recruit?
Does he not know that atrocities happening in between are also done by MILF rebels this government treats hit with kid gloves? MILF is associated with the Abu Sayyaf being its shield during military operations.
The best and only way to achieve peace in Mindanao is pulverizing these groups together with the political warlords like the Amputangnangmga’yan clan!
Behead them. Isama si Agra-yador!
Kahapon pa hindi makapasok dito sa Ellenville. Nang makita ko may poste na si MRivera, sure na pwede na:
Earlier, I commented in another thread that to me, the appointment of GMA’s manicurist and gardener to top government posts was a diversionary tactic to soften the public outrage on Agra’s brouhaha. It appears now that Agra’s sudden move to drop charges against Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan was the first diversionary tactic. While media and bloggers are discussing fast and furious focusing mainly on Agra-cadabra and the manicurist twist to Pagibig board, little did we know that a dubious peace agreement with the MILF is in the works. Double whammy!
Joe, nakangiting unggoy si Goyang unana, ‘kala niya nakaisa na naman sya.
Gloria will see to it that she delivers a pistok to the US before she makes a grand escape/exit. Hindi pwedeng hindi kasi yan lang ang rason kung bakit hindi sya kinakanti ni pareng OB at mareng Hil.
Manay Chi, talaga naman
Una ay pinaiikot tayo sa Agra – kadabra
Tapos ipinasok ang isang manikyurista sa Pagibig
Yaon pala’y may isang PISTOK na pinalulusot
Who want the dogs out!!! Few weeks before the election the imcumbent president does not care about her popularity rating inspite of negative respond from the public, but number of votes in Maguindanoa, where she wants to guard the area so she can stay in power like her grand daughter shouted out on national TV, “she’ll stay in power forever”.
Ms. Ellen, you may be right. It could be a diversionary tactic. Kaya lang si GMA ay hindi basta bastang balasubas na presidente. Pinakawalan ang 2 Ampatuan dahil sa gusto nya. Iyon lang.
Yung sa MOA with MILF, pinipilit nyang palusutin dahil sa:
1. Gusto nya na naman;
2. To please the Americans; and/or
3. Paguluhin ang buhay ng susunod na Presidente na hindi nya gusto. Alam naman natin, kung si Aquino ang mananalo, bubusisiin ang MOA at kapag nagkataon mag aalburoto ang mga MILF laban kay Aquino dahil pakikialaman pa ang MOA na napirmahan na ng dating administration.
Advertise ko lang to: Kindly help us gather signature with our campaign: http://www.petitiononline.com/AGRA2010/petition-sign.html
Ellen,
Oh yes, it’s possible… this regime will make this election a messy, very messy affair.
A cockroach like Gloria will do anything to divert public focus from the shitty things she’s doing.
Anna,
Hindi kokrots si gloria.
Isa siyang bug. A shit bug.
🙂
na nga ba ang bug sa Tagalog?
Magno,
Just read that Sanchez is officially dead. I wonder if Edong’s son will replace him for the gubernatorial slot.
Hmmm…
Gubernatorial slot pala ang sabi ni Magno.
Akala ko papalitan bilang Jueteng Lord!