Traders unfazed by bombings

MANILA, Philippines - Businessmen are unfazed by the recent bombings in some parts of Mindanao.

“We cannot be deterred,” said Ricardo Juliano, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) vice president for Mindanao.

At the start of the Mindanao Business Conference in Davao City Thursday, Juliano said the bombings would not dampen their spirit in promoting Mindanao as an investment destination.

“We just have to move forward,” he said. “Being deterred means they – those who want to create trouble – have won.  It’s plain and simple criminality.”

The business sector in Mindanao has other pressing concerns, particularly in preparing for the integration of the economies of member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2015, Juliano said.

Speaking at the business conference, President Aquino assured the nation that the recent bombings in Mindanao will be solved.

“Make no mistake about it: This is a desperate act by a small sector dead set against the attainment of peace in Mindanao,” he said.

“For a long time, we have been working to neutralize these elements; and this is a fight in which we have had quite a few successes.  

“And so our continuing message is this: To those willing to partner with us for peace, we welcome you as brothers; but to those who want to challenge the authority of the state, you will feel the full brunt, depth, and might of the state’s response. You will not get in the way of the peace and the stability that will help fulfill the potential of Mindanao.”

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said yesterday the government is finalizing the rewards for anyone who can help solve the bombings in Mindanao.

“We’ll let you know once there are final figures,” she said, adding, “Of course, everything that we get is being vetted and vetted again just to make sure that we’re going in the right direction.” 

Perfecto Marquez, PCCI regional governor for Central Mindanao, said the public must not be scared by the atrocities.

“We will not let the terrorists or those people behind the atrocities be successful because if we get scared they will achieve their objective,” he said.

“We will not be cowed by these people. For now, we will just not talk much about it rather we will find some more developmental issues for us to focus on.”

Pedro Rufo Soliven, Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, said they trust the government security forces to address the issue.

“I want to be positive,” he said.

Luwalhati Antonino, Mindanao Development Authority chairman, said she is confident that the local business sector remains bullish in Mindanao amid the perceived threats.

“Their enthusiasm has not dampened,” she said. “Maybe businessmen from outside may have different sentiment but for as long as the Mindanao businessmen are still bullish about business in Mindanao, there is no effect.

“Mindanaons have been noted for their resiliency. The business endeavors are actually coming from within. Mindanoans are the ones who have huge investments in  the island, and they just encourage others to partner.”

PCCI president Miguel Varela said the progress in the peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is positive news for foreign investors.

“The recent developments in the peace negotiations are very encouraging for investors because they have been looking at the huge potential of Mindanao,” he said.

“They really want to come here. With the peace agreement, many doors will open for investments to come in.”

Aquino said genuine healing in Mindanao is on process through peace talks with the MILF.

“Both sides of the tension are conscious of the fact that conflict is a road that leads nowhere,” he said.

“Hence, all of us made a commitment to put the arms away, truly engaging in dialogue, and once again putting trust in one another.

“Now, the MILF and the government have a framework agreement on the Bangsamoro. Just last month, both sides signed the second annex of the agreement; and I am confident that more good news will arrive soon.”

Aquino reiterated the government’s sincerity and commitment to bring progress in Mindanao.

“The first issue – the obvious issue – we needed to address was peace and security,” he said.

“After all, any real progress must be built on the bedrock of peace. For the past 40 years, thousands of families in Mindanao have been displaced and, at times, even harmed by skirmishes.

“It was vital for us to achieve lasting peace and stability in Mindanao so that those affected by the tensions could get their lives back, so that they could hold steady jobs, so that businesses – both big and small – could focus on efficiency and innovation instead of just worrying for their safety; all this with the greater vision of inclusive growth for all Mindanaoans.”

Preventing atrocities

In a statement, government peace panel chairman Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said they are working closely with their negotiating partners to prevent atrocities in the future.

“The important thing is to settle the armed conflict through a process that can bring about good governance, peace and development in the region, and therefore isolate all the other groups that continue to use violence, especially in such indiscriminate fashion,” she said.

Ferrer said the recent bombings are an affront to the people of Mindanao’s right to personal and collective well-being and security.  â€“  With Aurea Calica