2009 a 'comeback year' for peace process, says Razon

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino Razon Jr. has assured 27 representatives of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and international donor countries that 2009 would be a “comeback year” for the peace process despite renewed hostilities in Central Mindanao.

Razon gave the assurance during a briefing on the current status of the government’s peace efforts in Mindanao for representatives of 12 UN agencies and 15 donor countries upon the invitation of UNDP country director Renaud Meyer.

Razon told officials of the UN Expanded Theme Group (UNETG) on Mindanao that the renewed fighting between government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces “has had a tremendous impact on the peace process.”

“As such, the government had to rethink its policy and strategy not only for the government-MILF peace negotiations but for all peace efforts with rebel groups,” Razon said.

Hostilities broke out in some parts of Central Mindanao following the aborted signing of the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), which the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional, in August last year.

In line with the new paradigm adopted by the government, Razon said the peace process focused on conducting authentic dialogue with stakeholders and communities, with the Bishops-Ulama Conference at the forefront, and the pursuit of peace negotiations with rebel groups in the context of its Social Integration Program (SIP).

Razon said the government has also reconstituted a new panel composed of Ambassador Rafael Seguis as chairman, with former congressman Adelbert Antonino, representing local government units; Rep. Ronald Adamat, representing the lumads; lawyer Tomas Ong Cabili, representing the Christians; and Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman under holdover capacity whose replacement will be named soon.

He said the government panel will be supported by a group of advisers from different sectors.

Razon said the President has issued a new directive containing the guidelines on the conduct of talks with the MILF.

“The goal of the negotiations is a negotiated settlement with the MILF to achieve peace in Mindanao,” he said, stressing that it would be constitutional and consider the public sentiment.