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