KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/9 May) – The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) separately kicked off consultations in parts of Mindanao for the public to provide insights and understand the intricacies of the Mindanao peace process.
The government, through peace panel member Miriam Coronel Ferrer, consulted local government officials, tribal leaders and teachers in South Cotabato and the cities of General Santos and Cotabato here last week.
“The guidelines of President [Benigno C.] Aquino [III] are very clear. The process must be inclusive and transparent. It must uphold the consent of the governed,” Ferrer said in a statement on Wednesday.
During the consultation, she discussed the Decision Points on Principles signed by the two parties during the 27th formal exploratory talks held April 24 in Kuala Lumpur.
Aside from the creation of a new autonomous political entity to replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the points laid out in the signed document include introducing the ministerial system, strengthening of the Shari’ah courts, protection of the people’s basic rights, and power and wealth sharing between the national government and the autonomous body.
Ferrer said that the discussions on substantive agenda that will “shape the envisioned new autonomous political entity” are moving forward but this will “take time” owing to the complexity of the issues and the need to consult stakeholders in and outside of government.
Responding to queries from the South Cotabato officials on the geographic coverage of the proposed autonomous political entity, Ferrer underscored that this matter was not included in the signed document because the two parties have not yet agreed on the mode and scope of jurisdiction for the autonomous entity.
“Our proposal is that prospective areas first indicate their interest in joining, after which a plebiscite will be held to get the vote of their constituents,” Ferrer said. “But this has to be deliberated further.
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South Cotabato officials headed by Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. and Vice Gov. Elmo B. Tolosa welcomed the consultation conducted by the government.
They expressed optimism that the Mindanao conflict will finally be resolved given the significant stride achieved last month in Kuala Lumpur.
David Gorman, mediation advisor and country representative of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, described the Decision Points on Principles as a “very solid agreement that lays the groundwork for a future agreement.”
He stated that “both parties will need trust and support from their leaders, their constituents and those affected by the conflict in Mindanao because there will be many tough decisions ahead as they work to find a final agreement.”
The CHD is one of four NGOs that sit in the International Contact Group, a foreign body taking part in the Mindanao peace process along with the International Monitoring Group (IMT).
On the part of the MILF, it also held last week a consultation in Maguindanao, a predominantly Moro province, to discuss the status of the peace talks with the government.
Ghazali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for political affairs, said that members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the Front’s armed wing, as well as civilians graced the peace consultation in the boundary of Upi, Guindulungan and Talayan towns.
Said Shiek, chairman of the MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, said the peace advocacy program has the support of the local chief executives of the three municipalities.
During the meeting, the role of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (formerly Conference) was discussed, he said.
The 57-member pan-Islamic Body was earlier allowed by both parties to sit as an observer in the Mindanao peace process.
During the gathering, the Malaysian-led IMT, which is headed by Major General Dato’ Abdul Rahim bin Yusoff, appealed for continuing support to the peace talks. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)
