Government peace negotiators say RP governed by rule of law

MANILA, Philippines – The chairman of the government panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front reminded yesterday the Muslim rebel group that the country is governed by the “rule of law” and not of men and the government recognizes the Supreme Court declaration of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) unconstitutional.

Government peace panel head Rafael Seguis said the collapse of the MOA-AD should not be blamed on the government because it is an action of the Supreme Court as an independent and co-equal branch of government.

Seguis took exception to the statement attributed to MILF panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal that the MILF is “disgusted” by the failure of the Arroyo administration to seal a peace agreement with them after nine years of talks.

“The comment is understandable as it reflects the frustration of some parties. However, playing to the sidelines and imputing blame while delicate talks are on-going are not helpful. Peacemaking is never easy, and the search for a political settlement to long-standing conflicts, such as that in Mindanao, requires continued focus, lots of compromises on both sides and tons of patience,” Seguis said.

The MILF has singled out the collapse of a draft major agreement in 2008 that would have created a large autonomous area in Mindanao under their control.

“The MOA-AD was aborted for a reason. It was judicially challenged and subsequently declared unconstitutional by the Philippine Supreme Court,” Seguis said.

“In a vibrant and strong democracy like ours, it is not fair to put the blame on President Arroyo for an action which was made by an independent and co-equal branch of government. Ours is not a totalitarian government. We are governed by the rule of law and not of men. We need a political settlement,” he said.

Seguis, who is also Foreign Affairs undersecretary, emphasized that the record of the present administration in peace-making is clear and substantial, and President Arroyo has never lacked political will on this matter.

In a meeting of international peace negotiators at the New World Hotel held earlier, the President told them that she declared a policy of all-out peace in Mindanao upon assumption of office and has fought every day in office to bring that peace there.

The President stated that she will continue to work for peace in the island until the last minute of her term and beyond, adding that as congresswoman she will file the bills that are needed in order to bring just and lasting peace in Mindanao.

Breakthroughs

A number of breakthrough agreements with the MILF have been signed during the Arroyo Administration, notably the Tripoli Agreement of 2001, the Implementing Guidelines of both the Security and Relief, Rehabilitation and Humanitarian Aspects of the Tripoli Agreement, the Term of Reference of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), the Framework Agreement on the International Contact Group, the Agreement on the Protection of Civilian Component of the IMT and the Implementing Guidelines on the Clearing of Land Mines and Unexploded Ordnance in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao.

The GRP and MILF Peace Panels are expected to convene this week in Kuala Lumpur to continue their talks.

According to Seguis, the peace talks have achieved considerable gains in the past few months.

“The International Monitoring Team has been redeployed, and added to it the Civilian Protection Component. Both parties have agreed to ensure the return of the remaining internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their respective communities and places of origins,” he said.

A basic architecture is expected to ensure the continuity of the talks under the administration of the newly elected President.

“Most importantly, we have kept the peace, and have put in place measures to further protect civilians in conflict-affected areas and ensure economic development programs and livelihood opportunities continue to expand, for the benefit of all the peoples of the region,” he said.