A day for peace

How do you make Mindanao peace advocacy second skin to every Filipino so that it transcends administrations and politics? How do you communicate that it must be personal yet shared with the rest of the world, because no one deserves to live a life in a violent and poor environment?

Maybe it can begin by inspiring people, including former Muslim rebels, to dress up and join a celebration. There is something about Filipinos donning a beautiful outfit, be it new or something kept in the closet, and making an effort to attend an event. These characterize optimism, happiness and excitement, just like on March 27, 2014 – the day of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The spiffy outfits jibed with the venue – the sprawling Kalayaan grounds of Malacañang – which did not need much decoration that day. The huge trees and the grass being green were refreshing, though it was uncomfortably hot before the program began at 4 p.m. The tents that were put up provided some relief, along with the native fans placed on each of the chairs. A small stage was adorned with a thousand paper doves and large screens were strategically mounted on both sides.

There were not much flowers around, and there were no tables, because it was not a wedding that was happening. Not really – but it was a touching union nevertheless, an experience that would leave one hopeful and dazed with the mix of emotions.

The STAR’s John Unson, who is from and who covers Mindanao, was present and could not help but pose difficult questions amid the celebration: Can the government really convince Mindanaoans to part with their guns? Will corruption and political dynasties be curbed?

There will be endless questions for sure, that day and in the days to come.

But “we count our blessings,” according to Augusto Miclat Jr., executive director and co-founder of the Initiatives for International Dialogue, an advocacy and solidarity organization based in the Philippines with campaigns and programs in East Timor, Mindanao and Myanmar.

For Miclat, being “hopeful” really invites a lot of challenges because of the work that has to be done for one’s aspirations to come true.

He described the atmosphere as “somber” compared to the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in Oct. 15, 2012 at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang. “That was more euphoric,” Miclat noted.

It was understandable, he said, since people were aware of the process. Indeed, in his speech, President Aquino laid down the steps that would still have to be taken to establish the Bangsamoro government to replace the Autonomous Region on Muslim Mindanao. The Transition Commission has to come up with a draft of the law, which will then be submitted to Congress. When the law is passed, it will be put up for approval by the Bangsamoro people through a plebiscite.

“We cannot rest on our laurels,” he said.

“Ang sakit ng kalingkingan ay sakit ng buong katawan (The pain felt by the pinkie finger is felt by the whole body). The whole body must heal itself,” Miclat noted.

But this early, he pointed out the gains of the peace process with the MILF were manifested on many fronts and that psychologically and physically, there was more sense of “hope, security and direction.”

Also, Miclat said negotiating peace meant that a military general now gets his star not for the body count during encounters but with lives protected when the guns are silent. He suggested that the development projects be expedited and expanded rather than implemented piecemeal.

“May mababaw, may malalim ang kaligayahan (There is superficial happiness, and there is deeply rooted joy), but peace advocates like us are perennial optimists. There are highs and lows, we don’t worry much about the stops. It’s the journey, not the destination,” he said.

There is one thing he wants to emphasize, and that is the need to shield the process from getting politicized.

“The people must embrace this as their own project, their own product. We want to give credit where credit is due because President Aquino really made headways. But it should cross party lines. It should not be an election issue because the opposition might try to find loopholes just to negate the success of the current administration,” he argued.

“We must be able to get it out of that framework. It should not buttress a candidacy. Spare this one, ibalato niyo ito sa mga Pilipino para makausad tayo (give this to the people so we can move forward),” Miclat said.

There are still conditions and practices that will be hard to break and problems that are cultural and systemic. Still, Miclat commends the good intentions being displayed by the administration.

A

s the document was actually signed, there were tears, applause and standing ovations.

More than 600 MILF members took part in the celebration. It was a bit awkward to dwell on their sufferings when they came to enjoy the moment. But we all know what they have been through.

Aquino pictured the kind of Mindanao he wanted to enjoy in the future.

“If our goals as a nation are fulfilled, my brothers Al Haj Murad (Ebrahim, MILF chief), (MILF chief negotiator) Mohagher Iqbal and myself can all look forward to that one day in the not-so-distant future, when we will all sit back and enjoy a quiet sunset in Mindanao – perhaps with the company of friends such as (Malaysian) Prime Minister Najib Razak. On that day, we will look back to the 27th of March 2014, and allow ourselves a little pride. For now, more work needs to be done, and I look forward to building a peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive Bangsamoro with all of you,” the President said.

Najib was special guest because Kuala Lumpur facilitated the talks and he made an effort to be present at the signing despite pressing concerns back home regarding the missing Malaysian Airlines plane.

Looking at the guests enjoying and savoring the moment, one realizes: We will have more of such celebrations if we carry on for peace, no matter the challenges.