GRP-MILF peace talks and the Muslim turf war

Center for the Promotion of Peace and Development in Mindanao

This article is a continuation of my analysis of the Mindanao Peace Process. My objective is to help in winning the peace. In my last Article "GRP-MILF Peace Talks," (Philippine STAR, Oct 28, 2006), I pointed out that the public wants the Mindanao peace talks to succeed because they are tired of the war and wish to live in peace. Likewise, the successful conclusion of the peace talks is a major key towards the acceleration of the postwar reconstruction and development in the region, and other parts of the country.

The people also want to be sure that the anticipated peace agreement is worth the time, money, and effort expended during the last ten years of negation. Hence, they wish to see an agreement that jibes within the context of the Philippine Constitution. They also wish that the creation of a Juridical Bangsamoro Homeland (JBH) is not a "sell-out" of the patrimony of the nation or an initiative that could lead to the decapitation of the country, but rather, a conflict transformation for a positive social change leading to the preservation and improvement of the way and quality of life of Muslims and Christians, and achieving a harmonious relationship among people living together in peace with "one nation-one people" motto in their hearts and minds. I agree.

Detailing the ramifications of the answers to these concerns could make the MILF leadership understand that there are things that the Philippine negotiators can not do or commit, and in the interest of peace, and the future of our children and children’s children, both sides may be able to see the wisdom of exercising pragmatism and flexibility in their respective positions.

The number of barangays to be included in the proposed Juridical Bangsamoro Homeland should be discussed with frankness, too. The size of a barangay in Mindanao is much larger than those barangays in other parts of the country. A barangay in Mindanao could have the size of a municipality or clusters of barangays in Luzon. Again, with proper explanation and persuasion, the MILF leaders may be able to see that the government offer is equitable and reasonable.

The 1996 Philippine Government-Moro National Liberation Front (GRP-MNLF) Peace Agreement covered the length and breathe of the MINSUPALA region, and therefore the ongoing Philippine government-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GRP-MILF) Peace Talks are practically addressing the same area, people, and issues. Hence, public knowledge of the location of the proposed Juridical Bangsamoro Homeland before the conclusion of the peace talks is crucial in preventing the "birth" or "growth" of major dissent from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and non-Muslims (Christians and Lumads) who may be affected.

I have recommended all along the need for a thorough physical resources inventory of conflicted areas. This was a part of my recommendations to both the MILF and the government to enter into "interim cooperation" in converting selected MILF territories or camps into Economic Zones. My idea then was to finish first a comprehensive physical resources inventory followed by the preparation of a "bankable" master development plan. I mentioned this because agreeing on the perimeter size of the areas alone is not enough. It is becoming a public concern that the barangays that may be included in the Juridical Bangsamoro Homeland are mineral-rich areas where gas and oil deposits alone allegedly amount to many billions of dollars. Knowledgeable foreign embassy officials I met say that the ball-park figure could reach US$80 billion or more. What about the gold, silver, copper, nickel, molybdenum, forest products, fishes, vast fertile agricultural lands, and the like?

If my assumptions are correct, they are likely to generate responsible positions for MILF leaders and countless jobs and tremendous business opportunities for their constituents when a peace agreement is concluded or signed, and they will have their hands full in helping transform these resources into productive states.

As a Muslim, and a strong advocate of Muslim empowerment through peaceful means, I wish all the best for the future of the Philippine Ummah (nation). With due respect however, the MILF needs the cooperation of the Philippine government for invaluable inputs and international influence towards the realization of these "dreams." Presenting and discussing in the "peace talks" factual and authoritative economic data and information, and arriving at a carefully crafted peace agreement that is supported by a comprehensive "bankable action plan" for postwar reconstruction and development that manifest positive socio-economic impact and change for the better on the lives of both Muslims and Christians, and de facto guarantees under the Philippine Constitution, may assuage and bend MILF demands.

There is now an ongoing "turf war" in Mindanao among Muslims – MILF, MNLF, and ARMM – for access and control of mineral resources, not only in the Liguasan Marsh, but also in the Sulu Seas and other parts of the MINSUPALA region. They are all Islamic/Muslim oriented organizations. They have separate and distinct economic and political agenda.

The known bulk of Philippine gas and oil reserves in the conflicted areas is somewhere in the Liguasan Marsh. This area happens to be one of the largest and strategic MILF camps. It is more than likely that the MILF is interested or will insist to have continuity of its presence in the area.

This oil-rich area happens to be under the political jurisdiction of the ARMM, and the ARMM government that is headed by a Muslim Governor, has a different political and economic persuasion than that of the MILF. The ARMM wants also to actively participate in the GRP-MILF peace negotiation, and is also likely to be keenly interested to have a piece of the action – if not, more of the piece of the action – from the dividends of the peace talks.

It also appears that the ARMM is not in favor of the creation of a Juridical Bangsamoro Homeland. It is however likely to interpose no objection to a plebiscite and election of officers of the Juridical Bangsamoro Homeland in the event that it is created, and election of its officials becomes a part of the GRP-MILF peace agreement because it has a formidable political machinery than the MILF that it can bank upon.

Without getting assurance from the ARMM Governor to dance with the music, or enter into a compromise, the government would likely delay its decision in creating a Juridical Bangsamoro Homeland. With a Muslim Ummah (nation) divided, the government will have difficulties in "selling" the creation of the Bangsamoro Homeland without a plebiscite. Nor the government will allow the MILF to lose in an election. This Muslim "turf war" could turn into violence. It may also further delay the conclusion of the GRP-MILF peace talks.

Last but not least in my analysis, it is also likely that the overt and covert "peace brokers" and "stakeholders" are exerting tremendous efforts behind the scenes in applying their knowledge, understanding and experience in the "art and science" of forging alliances and business realignments in the furtherance of their interests. While the Philippine government and the MILF may not admit or comment on the matter, this is a given reality. After all, the success of the implementation of the postwar reconstruction and development process in Mindanao also depends on how good and credible we Filipinos are, in attracting foreign investors to do business with and in the region.

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