Missing the opportunity

MANILA, Philippines - The unresolved conflict between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government has not only resulted in the increase of death tolls between the MILF, the military and civilians, it had also displaced Muslims, Christians and the Indigenous Peoples in Western and Central Mindanao who have nothing at all to do with the armed struggle of the secessionist front.

The injustice does not end there. Foreign government and aid agencies which have seen the futility of the destructive struggle have been waiting in the bend for a meaningful and stable peace agreement to be in place. They needed the atmosphere of peace to be able to deliver the necessary rehabilitation and developmental aid to the conflict areas in order that the displaced communities can rebuild their homes, till their farmlands and, like the rest, live a normal life. But the Front, goaded by its basic secessionist agenda, is not contented with autonomy, but wanted to be an independent state. They abhor being called Filipinos, declines to acknowledge the sovereignty of the Philippines over their claimed territories in fact addressing the government peace panel negotiating peace with them as “GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) Peace negotiators.

We grant this posture to be all within the context of revolutionary struggle. However we doubt whether GRP will relinquish an inch of the territory to the Front outside of an autonomy which the government already conceded to the Moro National Liberation Front. This, plus the fact that even the Organization of Islamic Countries frown at the idea of dispensing with the sovereignty of the Philippines in the peace negotiations with the MILF.

Last week we have seen the auspicious display of unity of the MNLF during the celebration of its anniversary. A formal ceremony during the event saw its founding chairman Nur Misuari with members of the OIC and government top peace negotiators in a lively dialogue. The resuscitation of the MNLF can only be engendered by the adamancy of the MILF to return to the peace negotiating table. Add to that the growing number of former anti-MNLF forces which have extended their hands of friendship and reconciliation with Misuari and are now drafted in the MNLF.

The MNLF which had signed a peace agreement with the government has been receiving numerous assistance from various international aid agencies. It cannot be denied that not a few of the former guerillas are now engaged in livelihood projects and developmental infrastructures are being set up in their communities. Programs like these could be expanded in no time at all in other conflict areas but these are being put on hold because of threats of armed conflicts which can derail multimillion-peso projects which are being lined up if and when the peace pact between the MILF and the government will be concluded.

The present situation represents an opportunity lost. For as long as the volatile condition prevails, we do not see any development aid going to territories influenced by the MILF. — MIRIAM DAHUNOG, Iligan City