‘Meaning autonomy’ and lasting peace in Mindanao

With the recent breakthrough on wealth-sharing achieved by the negotiating panels from the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the successful conclusion to the long-winding peace process in Mindanao seem to be in sight. Observers are now on the look out for potential “spoilers,” particularly from among rivals of the MILF who may feel sidelined by the emerging political rearrangements, in the same manner that the previous MOA on Ancestral Domain reached during the previous administration was derailed by the protests from affected local government officials.

The commitment of President Benigno S. Aquino III to conclude and implement the peace compact within the next three years of his six-year term is by now self-evident. The avowed desire of the MILF leadership for socio-economic development and tranquility for the region’s peoples within a regime of autonomy (not independence) is much admired. Confidence in the peace process was further boosted by the recent pronouncements of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak regarding Muslim minorities in neigboring countries, notably in volatile southern Thailand and Mindanao.

During a symposium in early June at Kuala Lumpur’s Institute of Islamic Understanding, the Prime Minister called for a permanent solution to the problems of indigenous Muslim minorities in neighboring countries. “These Muslims should be made to understand that they must live under current national governments … and must recognize the true responsibilities within the current nation-states and contribute the utmost to the moral and socio-economic strengths of the nation.”

At the same time, the Prime Minister urged concerned governments to grant them “meaningful autonomy.’ “Their religious, linguistic and cultural identity must be protected. Their economic opportunities should be enhanced. They should be given due rights like the other dignified citizens in the context of a more equitable, humane and compassionate way of development.”

Also in line with the approach of moderation (wasatiyyah), Muslim minorities “must eschew violence and forget this idea of having an independent Muslim state, which is not realistic… Muslims must also understand the sensitivities of non-Muslim as well,” he urged.

This pronouncement, the first in recent years, is refreshing for its clarity and also reassuring to many in neighboring countries, and should be welcomed.

With respect to Mindanao and after years of diligent efforts, the basic peace architecture has been put in place, and major changes and significant progress are already taking place even as the talks are ongoing.

For one, the peace process has thus far presented the region in a new perspective, including what it was once before, a “land of promise.” Following the signing of the Framework Agreement, confidence-building mechanisms were put in place, notably the Sajahatra Bangsamoro, a socio-economic initiative launched last February in Cotabato by President Aquino and MILF Chair Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim to accelerate the delivery of health, education and other basic services to the Bangsamoro areas and to create jobs. The area’s largely untapped resources within the context of a robust Philippine economy (7.8 percent GDP growth for the first quarter of 2013) have also attracted investors.

Peace dividends were evident with the several economic missions to the region from other countries, including Malaysia. The first foreign investors to set foot in Cotabato after the signing of the Framework Agreement were a delegation of 19 Malaysian businessmen and women. During a visit last November, they saw for themselves not only the area’s huge investment potentials but also its safety and security situation. Others delegations have since followed suit, notably from the Putrajaya Chamber of Commerce to Manila and the Tan Chong Group to Davao both January, and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers to Manila in May.

The new atmosphere in Mindanao is paving the way for a new type of reform politics supportive of lasting peace and genuine development. The results of the senatorial and local government elections last May 13 gave a stronger mandate to President Aquino and his reform policies and programs. These also bolstered the new transformational leadership in Muslim Mindanao. Voters there poured their support to Mujiv Hataman who ran for Governor under the President’s wing, winning almost 60 percent of the 232,253 total votes. Nur Misuari, who contested the same position, came in third and got only 13% of the votes.

The end-goal of the peace process is now within reach. A Transition Commission is currently crafting a Bangsamoro Basic Law bill, and this will pave the way for a Transition Authority until the setting up of the new Bangsamoro political entity in 2016. Development funds such as the Mindanao Trust Fund and a fund jointly administered by the United Nations and the World Bank, are now operational.

If there is a subject which both sides can now give their attention, it is on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. This will also temper the gun culture that still pervades among many people in the region. Not enough emphasis was given this crucial aspect in the earlier peace accords with the MNLF, that is why many challenges from that era persist, among other reasons.

There will inevitably be challenges even after the current peace process comes to a successful conclusion and during the implementation of what have been agreed upon. The patience and commitment to peace of top government officials and Filipino Muslim community leaders will be tested. It is thus high time for concerned parties to “turn swords into ploughshares” and foreswear a recourse to arms. This path is what will ensure that future struggles will be confined to the political arena and no longer in the fields of battle, and the pursuit of jobs, justice and security for those in an autonomous Muslim Mindanao will continue with vigor.