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Action for Economic Reforms

A CALL FOR CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES, TRANSPARENCY AND BROADENED PARTICIPATION

As development workers and peace advocates, we have worked with and among the marginalized sectors of Mindanao through development programs aimed at poverty alleviation and social change. Through the years, we saw how our modest efforts helped in bringing about peace and in improving the quality of life especially of those most in need.


When the news of the signing of the Memorandum Of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) hit the media in July this year, we had hoped that finally, the people of Mindanao – the Lumads, the Bangsamoro people, and settlers – will attain peace and eventually prosper under a climate of tolerance and mutual respect. Despite the imperfections in content and process, we view the MOA-AD as a significant though insufficient condition towards finding a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Mindanao.


We are sad that the GRP and MILF failed to ensure the participation of people, especially those living in areas included in the MOA-AD. Moreover, the absence of transparency in the negotiations has exacerbated the existing divisions and prejudice between the Moro and non-Moro populations. These fundamental processes could have helped our national and local leaders and the Christian settler-population to realise the essential purpose of the peace process, that is, to correct the historic injustice inflicted by the colonizers upon the Bangsamoro and indigenous peoples.


The turn of events following the aborted signing of the MOA-AD shattered that promise of peace. The violent clashes between MILF elements and government troops in some parts of Mindanao have yet again taken a heavy toll on the population where thousands of women, children and non-combatants are displaced and left in a state of confusion, fear and anxiety. We are alarmed by the continuing arming of civilians tolerated by local governments, which we know will worsen the violence.


We should remind ourselves that we share a common goal – the attainment of lasting peace in Mindanao and in all our land. With this we firmly demand:


  • The cessation of hostilities

  • The GRP and MILF to return to negotiation and dialogue

  • The GRP and MILF to ensure the full participation of all stakeholders especially the Lumad, women and other marginalized communities in affected areas in deliberating substantial and procedural issues of the peace process

  • The exercise of transparency through dissemination of prompt and accurate information on the agenda and outcomes of the negotiations and creation of channels for direct feedback

  • The media, to exercise fair and balanced reporting and avoid language that reinforces cultural stereotypes and discrimination


Cebu City, 27 August 2008


Signed:


Daphne Villanueva

Christian Aid – Philippines

Quezon City


Eliazar Montero

Muslim-Christian Agency for Relief, Advocacy & Development

Cagayan de Oro


Fr. Enrico Montano

DIOPIM Committee on Mining Issues

Dipolog City


Filomeno Sta. Ana

Action for Economic Reforms

Quezon City


Timuay Noval Lambo

Gukom Sog Pito Kodolungan

Zamboanga City


Datu Migketay Saway

Panagtagbo-Mindanao

Lantapan, Bukidnon


Joey Clemente

Socio-Pastoral Institute (SPI)

Quezon City


Sultan Maguid Maruhom

Ummah Fi Salaam

Pagadian City


Carl Cesar Rebuta

Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC)

Cagayan de Oro


Judy Pasimio

Legal Rights and Natural Resources

Center (LRC), Quezon City


Saturnino Oro

Bukidnon Integrated Services Assistance

Program [BISAP]

Damulog, Bukidnon


Elsa Bernardo

Community Services for Education, & Economic Development (COSEED)

Vincenzo Sagun, Zamboanga del Sur


Hadji Omar Faisal

Ranao Integrated Assistance Program

(RIAP) Marawi City


Mashor Mamolawan

Panginam O Masa (POM)

Balindong, Lanao del Sur


Maria Angela Villalba

UNLAD-Kabayan Migrant Services

Foundation, Inc., Quezon City


Gualberto Largo

Social Action Ministry-Prelature of Ipil

Zamboanga Sibugay


Gwen Rellin-Ngolaban

Fellowship for Organizing Endeavors (FORGE)

Cebu City


Pascual Tabuac

Philippine Network of Rural Development Institutes (PHILNet)- Visayas

Cebu City


Jesusa Cortez

UNLAD-Kabayan Migrant Services Foundation, Inc. – LANAO

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