GRP-MILF peace talks

By Saeed A. Daof
Director General
Center for the Promotion of Peace and Development in Mindanao

Alarm bells are signaling that all is not well with the ongoing peace talks in Malaysia between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). This is due to the stiffening of the bargaining positions of both sides, particularly on the issue of control of certain ancestral lands that have yet to be carved out from publicly unidentified and still not quantified areas or barangays in Mindanao, and their proposed establishment into a Bangsamoro Homeland without holding a plebiscite as "demanded" by the MILF.

Nevertheless, in spite of the war of nerves that is going on in backdoor negotiations, and "saber-rattling" public statements, there are valid reasons to believe and assume that this contentious issue is surmountable because both sides, including the international communities, wish, and are desirous, to end the war, and start the reconstruction and development of this war-torn region of the Philippines. Likewise, the country’s general population – particularly the peoples of Mindanao – are tired of the war, and would like to move on with their lives in peace, and transform the region into what it has been described all along as "the Land of Promise."

The rhetorical outbursts of MILF leaders – particularly Chairman Ibrahim Al Haj Murad – could be interpreted as a frank and serious conveyance of the intent and substance of the MILF’s demand and bargaining position in the peace negotiation of such magnitude and scope in his capacity as paramount leader, and de facto over-all negotiator of the MILF, rather than a signal to abandon or pull out from the peace talks, and it is good to know from the MILF Leader himself what the MILF actually wants instead of only from his staff.

Again, this could mean that the negotiation has come to a point when the MILF is asking whether they are negotiating with the right party who has the authority to commit the Philippine Government since it has been observed from the past that it is only on very rare or extraordinary occasions that the Chairman of the MILF makes direct statements concerning their position. Whether this is a good omen or not for the peace process, the next few months will provide the public some indication where the peace negotiation is headed to. In this manner, establishing a line of communication between the President and the MILF Chairman through "trusted emissaries or envoys" on both sides without disturbing the mechanism and flow of the on-going official peace talks, could greatly ease the current impasse. It would not hurt for these "trusted emissaries" to personally convey an exchange of greetings during this Holy Month of Ramadan or the Eid El Fitr.

Although unsolicited, it is wise on MILF Chairman Murad’s part in the interest of a lasting peace in Mindanao, if he sticks to, instead of going back to the hills, and continues to lead the MILF in the peace negotiation with the Philippine Government until, in God’s will, hopefully both sides agree, and sign a comprehensive peace agreement at the earliest time possible.

I hope and pray I am right, and I hope my Muslim brothers and sisters will understand and agree that it would be a shame for both sides – the Philippine government and the MILF – if they fail to meet again and continue their peace talks until they reach full agreement inasmuch as they began their exploratory talks almost ten (10) years ago.

Published reports include that the MILF is claiming or demanding control of 1,000 barangays for incorporation into the proposed Bangsamoro Homeland. On the other hand, the government is offering 600 barangays. From this information, we can see that both are receptive to face and solve the problem squarely. They can, and should, continue to talk in the interest of peace and their respective constituencies.

Also according to published reports, the MILF is not in favor of a plebiscite for the creation of the proposed Bangsamoro Homeland – more so perhaps, in electing the officers who will manage the affairs of the proposed Bangsamoro Homeland. This alleged position of the MILF seems strange because the MILF is supposed to be in full control – political control that is – of the areas they are claiming for incorporation into the proposed Bangsamoro Homeland, and therefore it can be assumed that the MILF can easily win a landslide in any protracted plebiscite – whether for the creation of the Bangsamoro Homeland or electing officials who will run the affairs of the so-called Bangsamoro Homeland.

As stated above, the people want the peace talks to succeed. But at the same time, they would appreciate it if they are informed and clarified about what exactly is the meaning of the Bangsamoro homeland in the context of the ongoing GRP-MILF peace talks, how much land area is involved and where are they located, steps to be undertaken to protect the rights of the non-Muslim Minority in the proposed Bangsamoro Homeland, steps to ensure that there is no overlapping of MNLF and MILF claims, and the wording of the agreement to be in consonance with the spirit and intent of the Philippine Constitution which, even the President of the Philippines – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in this case – can not, and will be able to countermand.

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