“Genuine peace must address the roots of Moro problems. The agreement should be reflective of the real condition of Moro people and should address the roots of the problem” — Bai Ali Indayla, spokesperson of Kawagib, a Moro human rights group
By DANILDA L. FUSILERO/Davao Today
Davao Today
KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato– The framework agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has raised hopes among Moro communities, hoping to end the decades-long armed conflict in war-torn areas.
“Is this true? Can this be the solution to the Bangsamoro problem and Mindanao?” Saidamen Cali, North Cotabato coordinator of the Ulama League of the Philippines told davaotoday.com.
Cali, one of the respected Maranao religious leaders in the city, said that while they welcome the progress of the peace talks, previous experiences have made them doubtful of the sincerity of the Philippine government in attaining peace for the Moro people.
“Nothing has happened since the Tripoli Agreement up to the controversial MOA-AD (Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain). This time, we are hoping that the peace negotiations will be successful,” Cali said.
MILF political affairs chief Gadzali Jaffar said they are ready to end their armed struggle should the agreement comes into finality.
“We are ready to lay down our arms because we will have our own government, even as this is under the Philippine government. Why would we still take up arms if we have our own government and the Bangsamoro Police Force?,” Jaffar said in Filipino an interview over a local radio station in Cotabato City.
To this, Bai Ali Indayla, spokesperson of Kawagib, a Moro human rights group said, “Genuine peace must address the roots of Moro problems. The agreement should be reflective of the real condition of Moro people and should address the roots of the problem.”
She said that while they welcome the signing of the framework agreement as a “positive step in peace process,” she added that they “worry because Aquino is using framework agreement to earn good publicity especially that the elections is near.”
Abby Pato of the Integrated Rural Development Foundation, a civil society group with programs on land tenure security and sustainable development here, also welcomed the recent development of the peace talks.
Unlike the MOA-AD, Pato told davaotoday.com, the process adopted in the framework agreement “mobilized almost all sectors including the non-Moro settlers and NGOs (non-government organizations) in Mindanao.”
“It employs participatory approach engaging even non-Moro settlers and NGOs alike,” he added.
Butch Akmad, a retired government employee and a Bangsamoro leader from Kabacan town also said, “The fact that both government and the MILF are happy of the framework, I believe it will likely resolve the conflict in Mindanao.”
“But for me, it’s not the final solution to the Bangsamoro problems nor is it the answer to the impoverished situation of the Muslims in Mindanao,” Akmad said.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Orlando Quevedo also raised optimism over the framework agreement between the government and the MILF.
In a radio interview, Archbishop Quevedo challenged all Mindanaoans to take part in the discussion of the framework. (Danilda Fusilero/davaotoday.com)
