“If Leonen (Marvic, head of the GRP Peace Panel vis-à-vis MILF Peace Talk) was trying to promote confidence building by saying to (the government panel was open to considering alterations in the Constitution in order to attain peace with the MILF in Mindanao), then he can be considered naïve. His pronouncement can be compared to a poker player showing his cards to his opponents before they start betting. His qualification to negotiate the peace with the MILF comes under serious question.” (William M. Esposo, “As I Wreck This Chair,” The Philippine STAR, September 12, 2010)
-oOo-
Esposo further commented: “Does Leonen understand his mission and objective? He is terribly wrong if he thinks that PEACE AT ALL COSTS is his objective. A ‘peace at all costs’ attitude will render Leonen no different from British Prime Minister Alfred Neville Chamberlain (Prime Minister from May 28, 1937 to May 10, 1940) who was blamed for not having stopped Adolf Hitler in 1938 by signing the 1938 Munich Agreement which historians considered led to World War II.”
What Esposo is saying is that “Peace at all costs’ with the MILF could mean a greater RP war.” This war could perhaps be the involvement of our country in a possible violent conflict between the US and China or perhaps a civil war in the Philippines.
Is Esposo being an alarmist or is he a well-informed and sharp analyst not only of the Mindanao sensitive situation but also of the challenging Asian and global events? What do you think?
Well, if you ask me, I consider Esposo as one of our most current analytic opinion-writer in the country. Most of the time I agree with his thinking although at times I don’t – On this particular Mindanao issue, I’m inclined to agree with his opinion that Leonen and his negotiator team should be extra careful that in seeking peace, a more deadly war will result in the end.
Allow me to reiterate below my previous proposals on this matter which I presented in my former article entitled “In Search for Peace” published in many of our local newspapers:
One of the most welcome news recently about our search for peace in Mindanao was the signing of a Unity accord between the MNLF and MILF brokered by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)” geared toward achieving the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people for genuine self-governance.” According to Philippine Daily INQUIRER, May 25, 2010, “top leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MILF) have agreed to unite efforts to advance the longing of Bangsamoro communities in Mindanao.” Per info, a coordinating committee “to consolidate their activities” will soon be formed. The MNLF and MILF, per report, “recognize that unity is indispensable to the success of the Bangsamoro struggle.” How true?
When we talk of Muslim Mindanao, we mean the ARMM area. And when we talk of Bangsamoro people, we are generally referring to Muslim Filipinos particularly those in ARMM. It is very obvious then that we are talking here of one area and one group of people. Thus, to avoid confusion to say the least, it follows that there must only be one Peace Agreement between GRP and Bangsamoro. “Di ba?”
Furthermore, we learned, both the MNLF and MILF, per info, recognize that there are “no basic difference between their two fronts as both are seeking to achieve peace, justice and a fair solution to the problems of the Bangsamoro people” and that both “are now in the right direction.” Very good we would say.
Since there is already a Final Peace Agreement (FPA) signed by the GRP and MNLF in 1996, the future logical move is merely to revisit the FPA and incorporate other needed provisions therein that can be legislated and fully implement the FPA. Other necessary measures that will require Constitutional amendment/revision can be done later for GRP and MILF to hasten the resolution of the Mindanao conflict. Continuous disorder in Mindanao will be at the expense of all Mindanawons.
When this conflict is settled, a Mini-Marshal Plan with OIC’s assistance for the rehabilitation and development of ARMM must be put in place. And those who will implement the Plan must be properly trained, transparent and made accountable.
Lastly, our history likewise must be rewritten and one ray must be added to our Philippine flag in recognition of our Muslim and Lumad Filipinos’ valuable contribution in our fight for freedom.
by Chito R. Gavino III, Lihok Pideral Mindanaw
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