Showing posts with label gph-cpp peace process. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gph-cpp peace process. Show all posts
Friday, June 10, 2011
GPH panel consults Tawi-Tawi local officials
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Peace group to GPH and NDFP: Avert looming postponement of formal talks
The Sowing the Seeds of Peace calls on the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines to persevere in overcoming current issues that can possibly stall the scheduled continuation of the peace negotiations in June this year.
We call on both parties to comply with the “GPH and NDF Oslo Joint Statement of 21 February 2011” signed in Oslo, Norway in the presence of the representatives of the Royal Norwegian Government.
The pertinent sections of that statement read:
“… Based on the Joint Notes dated January 18, 2011, the GPH shall continue to work on appropriate measures to effect the expeditious release of all or most of the fourteen (14) NDFP listed JASIG consultants and personalities before the second round of formal talks, subject to verification as provided in the JASIG Supplemental Agreement dated June 26, 1996, or on the basis of humanitarian and other practical reasons. The NDFP added four (4) names (Danilo Badayos, Leopoldo Caloza, Alan Jazmines and Ramon Patriarca), whose release shall be subjected to the same process.
The GPH as confidence-building measure reiterated its commitment to undertake steps for the release of prisoners and detainees, including those committed to be released as found in the Second Oslo Joint Statement of 2004…”
We believe that the spirit and intent of that joint statement calls for continued confidence building measures to sustain the peace talks. With this in mind, we were thus pleased when peasant rights advocate Angelina Bisuna Ipong, the country’s oldest woman political prisoner, was released on 17 February 2011 as the GPH-NDPF peace talks were being held in Oslo.
The NDFP has announced a possible postponement of the talks pending release of political prisoners which, they say, has not been complied with by the GPH. We see this as an unfortunate development worthy of serious consideration by both sides and of advocates like us who are supporting the peace process.
We call on President Benigno Aquino III to ensure that the talks are not stalled anew on this account. We hope that the GPH will eventually uphold its civilian authority over voices within the AFP which, at the moment, are opposed to such release. Political authority should be of primordial consideration over tactical concerns of the military establishment. After all, it is incumbent upon any state to release “prisoners of conscience” in adherence to international human rights and humanitarian law.
The same principle applies when NPA prisoners of war are released on humanitarian grounds and as an exercise of the political authority of the NDFP over its armed revolutionary army. On an equal vein, we call on the NDFP as well to release prisoners of war as a way to reciprocate confidence measures which we expect the GPH to adopt in the days ahead.
We call on both sides to agree to a definite timeline that will allow GPH compliance with release of political prisoners. We believe that whenever there is political will from both protagonists in the armed conflict, there is time.
Our hope lies in the following paragraph which the Oslo Joint Statement of 21 February 2011 contained:
“The two Panels expressed satisfaction over the achievements of the first round of formal talks. They also expressed their determination to make progress in forging agreements on the remaining items of the substantive agenda on social and economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms and end of hostilities and disposition of forces. (emphasis ours)”
As Mindanawons and as Filipinos who have a stake in the resolution of the roots of the armed conflict, for immediate benefits through concrete reforms, and for the eventual attainment of a just and lasting peace, we express to both the GPH and NDFP the people’s desire for sustained peace negotiations.
Convenors
ARCHBISHOP ANTONIO LEDESMA
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro
Bp MelzarCo-Chair, Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform
HON. VICENTE Y. EMANO
Mayor
Cagayan de Oro City
BISHOP FELIXBERTO CALANG
Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Chair, Initiatives for Peace in Mindanao
BISHOP MELZAR LABUNTOG
United Church of Christ of the Philippines
Ecumenical Bishops Forum
SR. FRANZ BLANDO, RGS
Sisters’ Association in Mindanao
We call on both parties to comply with the “GPH and NDF Oslo Joint Statement of 21 February 2011” signed in Oslo, Norway in the presence of the representatives of the Royal Norwegian Government.
The pertinent sections of that statement read:
“… Based on the Joint Notes dated January 18, 2011, the GPH shall continue to work on appropriate measures to effect the expeditious release of all or most of the fourteen (14) NDFP listed JASIG consultants and personalities before the second round of formal talks, subject to verification as provided in the JASIG Supplemental Agreement dated June 26, 1996, or on the basis of humanitarian and other practical reasons. The NDFP added four (4) names (Danilo Badayos, Leopoldo Caloza, Alan Jazmines and Ramon Patriarca), whose release shall be subjected to the same process.
The GPH as confidence-building measure reiterated its commitment to undertake steps for the release of prisoners and detainees, including those committed to be released as found in the Second Oslo Joint Statement of 2004…”
We believe that the spirit and intent of that joint statement calls for continued confidence building measures to sustain the peace talks. With this in mind, we were thus pleased when peasant rights advocate Angelina Bisuna Ipong, the country’s oldest woman political prisoner, was released on 17 February 2011 as the GPH-NDPF peace talks were being held in Oslo.
The NDFP has announced a possible postponement of the talks pending release of political prisoners which, they say, has not been complied with by the GPH. We see this as an unfortunate development worthy of serious consideration by both sides and of advocates like us who are supporting the peace process.
We call on President Benigno Aquino III to ensure that the talks are not stalled anew on this account. We hope that the GPH will eventually uphold its civilian authority over voices within the AFP which, at the moment, are opposed to such release. Political authority should be of primordial consideration over tactical concerns of the military establishment. After all, it is incumbent upon any state to release “prisoners of conscience” in adherence to international human rights and humanitarian law.
The same principle applies when NPA prisoners of war are released on humanitarian grounds and as an exercise of the political authority of the NDFP over its armed revolutionary army. On an equal vein, we call on the NDFP as well to release prisoners of war as a way to reciprocate confidence measures which we expect the GPH to adopt in the days ahead.
We call on both sides to agree to a definite timeline that will allow GPH compliance with release of political prisoners. We believe that whenever there is political will from both protagonists in the armed conflict, there is time.
Our hope lies in the following paragraph which the Oslo Joint Statement of 21 February 2011 contained:
“The two Panels expressed satisfaction over the achievements of the first round of formal talks. They also expressed their determination to make progress in forging agreements on the remaining items of the substantive agenda on social and economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms and end of hostilities and disposition of forces. (emphasis ours)”
As Mindanawons and as Filipinos who have a stake in the resolution of the roots of the armed conflict, for immediate benefits through concrete reforms, and for the eventual attainment of a just and lasting peace, we express to both the GPH and NDFP the people’s desire for sustained peace negotiations.
Convenors
ARCHBISHOP ANTONIO LEDESMA
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro
Bp MelzarCo-Chair, Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform
HON. VICENTE Y. EMANO
Mayor
Cagayan de Oro City
BISHOP FELIXBERTO CALANG
Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Chair, Initiatives for Peace in Mindanao
BISHOP MELZAR LABUNTOG
United Church of Christ of the Philippines
Ecumenical Bishops Forum
SR. FRANZ BLANDO, RGS
Sisters’ Association in Mindanao
Thursday, June 9, 2011
MILF peace panel to consult Iligan, CDO
Press Release:
June 10, 2011
For immediate Release
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The peace panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is set to dialogue with non-Moro and Moro leaders of civil society organizations (CSOs), business, church, local government, media and academic institutions in Northern Mindanao in response to calls for inclusiveness and participation in the government-MILF peace negotiations.
The MILF peace panel, led by Chairman Mohagher Iqbal, will first stopped in Iligan City on Saturday (June 11) to dialogue with non-Moro CSOs at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology MSU-IIT) from 9am to 3pm.
MSU-IIT chancellor Dr. Sukarno D. Tanggol, DPA, will be hosting the event in partnership with the Forum for Peace, led by Managing Director Jun Enriquez.
In the morning of June 12, the MILF panel will be at the International Center for Peace (IC Peace) in Barangay Bulua, this city to dialogue with leaders of Moro CSOs and Lumad groups.
On June 13, Iqbal’s team will consult with non-Moro leaders of CSOs, business, church, LGUs, media and academic institutions at the IC Peace from 9am to 3pm.
More than a hundred non-Moro participants are expected to attend Monday’s (June 13) consultation, which is being organized by the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro (ACDO), Balay Mindanao Foundation Inc, (BMFI) MPC and FREEJourn, Inc., an organization of Mindanao journalists working for empowerment, equality and welfare of media practitioners.
In all these consultations, the point of discussion will center on the MILF’s peace agenda contained in the Comprehensive Compact it submitted to the government peace panel, led by Dean Marvic Leonen.
“This forum seeks to promote better understanding of the attending issues in the negotiations,” said Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., D.D.
“It will also serve as a unique opportunity for us to take part in shaping viable and sustainable options to resolve the root causes of the armed conflict in Mindanao,” added BMFI Executive Director Paul Richard A. Paraguya.
Iqbal said that the MILF does not want a repeat of what happened to the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), which is why early in the negotiation they wanted to conduct the dialogues with various sectors in the country in order to get their views, ideas, and questions on the MILF’s proposals in the negotiations.
The Northern Mindanao consultations is the fourth leg in the ongoing nationwide dialogue the MILF peace panel has been conducting.
Prior to the consultations, the FREEJourn, Inc., in partnership with MPC, has organized trainings on peace reporting, which stressed on the need to cover the MILF-GPH peace talks. More than 20 select media personalities in Cagayan de Oro City underwent the training on May 28.
Some 20 journalists in Iligan City also underwent a similar training yesterday in through the efforts of the Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace in partnership with FREEJourn Inc, and the MPC. (Bong D. Fabe, FREEJourn, Inc., Peace Collective)
June 10, 2011
For immediate Release
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The peace panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is set to dialogue with non-Moro and Moro leaders of civil society organizations (CSOs), business, church, local government, media and academic institutions in Northern Mindanao in response to calls for inclusiveness and participation in the government-MILF peace negotiations.
The MILF peace panel, led by Chairman Mohagher Iqbal, will first stopped in Iligan City on Saturday (June 11) to dialogue with non-Moro CSOs at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology MSU-IIT) from 9am to 3pm.
MSU-IIT chancellor Dr. Sukarno D. Tanggol, DPA, will be hosting the event in partnership with the Forum for Peace, led by Managing Director Jun Enriquez.
In the morning of June 12, the MILF panel will be at the International Center for Peace (IC Peace) in Barangay Bulua, this city to dialogue with leaders of Moro CSOs and Lumad groups.
On June 13, Iqbal’s team will consult with non-Moro leaders of CSOs, business, church, LGUs, media and academic institutions at the IC Peace from 9am to 3pm.
More than a hundred non-Moro participants are expected to attend Monday’s (June 13) consultation, which is being organized by the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro (ACDO), Balay Mindanao Foundation Inc, (BMFI) MPC and FREEJourn, Inc., an organization of Mindanao journalists working for empowerment, equality and welfare of media practitioners.
In all these consultations, the point of discussion will center on the MILF’s peace agenda contained in the Comprehensive Compact it submitted to the government peace panel, led by Dean Marvic Leonen.
“This forum seeks to promote better understanding of the attending issues in the negotiations,” said Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., D.D.
“It will also serve as a unique opportunity for us to take part in shaping viable and sustainable options to resolve the root causes of the armed conflict in Mindanao,” added BMFI Executive Director Paul Richard A. Paraguya.
Iqbal said that the MILF does not want a repeat of what happened to the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), which is why early in the negotiation they wanted to conduct the dialogues with various sectors in the country in order to get their views, ideas, and questions on the MILF’s proposals in the negotiations.
The Northern Mindanao consultations is the fourth leg in the ongoing nationwide dialogue the MILF peace panel has been conducting.
Prior to the consultations, the FREEJourn, Inc., in partnership with MPC, has organized trainings on peace reporting, which stressed on the need to cover the MILF-GPH peace talks. More than 20 select media personalities in Cagayan de Oro City underwent the training on May 28.
Some 20 journalists in Iligan City also underwent a similar training yesterday in through the efforts of the Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace in partnership with FREEJourn Inc, and the MPC. (Bong D. Fabe, FREEJourn, Inc., Peace Collective)
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
GPH seeks support of religious for peace talks with NDFP
Manila, June 7 – As the government raises its stakes in the peace process, it constantly seeks the support of stakeholders in moving forward the negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).
In a recent dialogue with Catholic bishops, priests and lay leaders from the cities of Davao, Digos, Tagum and Mati, Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel member Ednar Dayanghirang urged the religious sector to back the decades-old peace talks and continuously engage the community by providing information on the substantive agenda of the talks. The religious sector can also offer spiritual and moral guidance particularly with regard to lowering levels of tension, violence and atrocities.
During the monthly Presbyterium Meeting of the Diocesan Clergy of Tagum at the Clergy Development Center in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, the panel member delivered updates on the peace process between the GPH and the CPP-NPA-NDFP. The meeting was attended by Bishop Wilfredo D. Manlapaz D.D. and more than 50 priests.
Fr. Ulysses Perandos said Dayanghirang's inputs were “very informative and comprehensive," and pledged, on behalf of his fellow clergy, “to do our share as we’ve always been doing and to encourage other people to participate in the government's peace initiatives.”
The Tagum diocese covers the provinces of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley, among the top NPA hotspots in the country. Abundant in mineral resources, these provinces are home to banana plantations which dominate agribusiness investments in the area. These provinces also share borders with other NPA hotspots in Mindanao--Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Agusan del Sur.
Dayanghirang graced a bigger gathering of Catholic religious and lay leaders at the Benedictine Sisters Monastery in Digos City, Davao Del Sur. The meeting was led by Archbishop Fernando Capalla, Bishop Manlapaz, Bishop Patricio H. Alo of Mati City and Bishop Jimmy Afable of Digos City.
Dayanghirang appealed for the support of the Catholic leaders in sharing the information with their respective parishioners. He also stressed that engaging the people in a meaningful peace dialogue will bring their voice to the negotiating table, crucial to the success of the peace talks.
Dayanghirang observed that the call for reduced levels of violence was a common sentiment. Best expressed by one bishop: “What is most important is the urgent need for violence to stop so that the people can continue living normal lives while negotiations are pursued.”
In a recent dialogue with Catholic bishops, priests and lay leaders from the cities of Davao, Digos, Tagum and Mati, Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel member Ednar Dayanghirang urged the religious sector to back the decades-old peace talks and continuously engage the community by providing information on the substantive agenda of the talks. The religious sector can also offer spiritual and moral guidance particularly with regard to lowering levels of tension, violence and atrocities.
During the monthly Presbyterium Meeting of the Diocesan Clergy of Tagum at the Clergy Development Center in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, the panel member delivered updates on the peace process between the GPH and the CPP-NPA-NDFP. The meeting was attended by Bishop Wilfredo D. Manlapaz D.D. and more than 50 priests.
Fr. Ulysses Perandos said Dayanghirang's inputs were “very informative and comprehensive," and pledged, on behalf of his fellow clergy, “to do our share as we’ve always been doing and to encourage other people to participate in the government's peace initiatives.”
The Tagum diocese covers the provinces of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley, among the top NPA hotspots in the country. Abundant in mineral resources, these provinces are home to banana plantations which dominate agribusiness investments in the area. These provinces also share borders with other NPA hotspots in Mindanao--Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Agusan del Sur.
Dayanghirang graced a bigger gathering of Catholic religious and lay leaders at the Benedictine Sisters Monastery in Digos City, Davao Del Sur. The meeting was led by Archbishop Fernando Capalla, Bishop Manlapaz, Bishop Patricio H. Alo of Mati City and Bishop Jimmy Afable of Digos City.
Dayanghirang appealed for the support of the Catholic leaders in sharing the information with their respective parishioners. He also stressed that engaging the people in a meaningful peace dialogue will bring their voice to the negotiating table, crucial to the success of the peace talks.
Dayanghirang observed that the call for reduced levels of violence was a common sentiment. Best expressed by one bishop: “What is most important is the urgent need for violence to stop so that the people can continue living normal lives while negotiations are pursued.”
LET THE PEACE TALKS PROCEED
PEOPLE POWER VOLUNTEERS
for REFORM – CARAGA
LD Apartment, Santan St., Butuan city
We, members of the People Power Volunteers for Reform – Caraga (PPVR-Caraga), read the news on the proposition of the National Democratic Front (NDF) “to postpone the scheduled resumption of the peace talks this month until the imprisoned rebels have been freed” with fear that the fresh round of the peace negotiations may end up, like those in the past, a failure. We see in such tit-for-tat scheme a pattern of the ways that preceded withdrawals of the NDF’s peace panels from the negotiation table in past. And we dread the thoughts of having this another chance at forging peace go down the drain because of just one unmet demand that for us is far from the substantive issues that have to be resolved in the negotiations.
A multi-sectoral organization that takes peace building as one of its advocacies to help make the quality of life in the region better, PPVR-Caraga is among those active in promoting the current round of peace talks as a way to peace. We have initiated the conduct of peace forums in the past weeks and more activities are lined up to keep the people in the region at pace with the progress of the peace talks and in some ways have their voices and positions on the issues that surround the 42-year old insurgency be considered in resolving the conflict.
We are doing all these fully aware that we have gone so far in the ways of war. We live in a region where the armed conflict between the government forces and elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) has been more pronounced than the other regions in the country and been there for decades.
Of course we understand if the NDF would ask for the release of detained comrades and other requests in the course of the negotiation. We would also welcome if in the process the government side would give way to those requests. They could be all parts of the process. But we hate it if at this very early stage conditions that could be hollow for us and the public to appreciate are dangled as conditions for the talks to proceed. After all it is us, the public, who suffer most in this armed conflict.
We, therefore, appeal to the NDF panel not to postpone the scheduled resumption of the talks this month just because of the non-release of the arrested comrades. We are expressing this appeal in the same breath that we also ask the government to consider the merits of such request in the light of what is best to attain a lasting peace in the land.
We urge both panels to let the peace talks proceed. June 7, 2011
CONCEPCION C. ASIS
CHAIRPERSON
PEOPLE POWER VOLUNTERS
FOR REFORM - CARAGA
for REFORM – CARAGA
LD Apartment, Santan St., Butuan city
We, members of the People Power Volunteers for Reform – Caraga (PPVR-Caraga), read the news on the proposition of the National Democratic Front (NDF) “to postpone the scheduled resumption of the peace talks this month until the imprisoned rebels have been freed” with fear that the fresh round of the peace negotiations may end up, like those in the past, a failure. We see in such tit-for-tat scheme a pattern of the ways that preceded withdrawals of the NDF’s peace panels from the negotiation table in past. And we dread the thoughts of having this another chance at forging peace go down the drain because of just one unmet demand that for us is far from the substantive issues that have to be resolved in the negotiations.
A multi-sectoral organization that takes peace building as one of its advocacies to help make the quality of life in the region better, PPVR-Caraga is among those active in promoting the current round of peace talks as a way to peace. We have initiated the conduct of peace forums in the past weeks and more activities are lined up to keep the people in the region at pace with the progress of the peace talks and in some ways have their voices and positions on the issues that surround the 42-year old insurgency be considered in resolving the conflict.
We are doing all these fully aware that we have gone so far in the ways of war. We live in a region where the armed conflict between the government forces and elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) has been more pronounced than the other regions in the country and been there for decades.
Of course we understand if the NDF would ask for the release of detained comrades and other requests in the course of the negotiation. We would also welcome if in the process the government side would give way to those requests. They could be all parts of the process. But we hate it if at this very early stage conditions that could be hollow for us and the public to appreciate are dangled as conditions for the talks to proceed. After all it is us, the public, who suffer most in this armed conflict.
We, therefore, appeal to the NDF panel not to postpone the scheduled resumption of the talks this month just because of the non-release of the arrested comrades. We are expressing this appeal in the same breath that we also ask the government to consider the merits of such request in the light of what is best to attain a lasting peace in the land.
We urge both panels to let the peace talks proceed. June 7, 2011
CONCEPCION C. ASIS
CHAIRPERSON
PEOPLE POWER VOLUNTERS
FOR REFORM - CARAGA
WE WANT PEACE
(A Call by Civil Society Organizations in Caraga in Support of the Ongoing Peace Process. Issued on the occasion of the conduct of a Peace Forum on 19 February 2011 at the regional capital of Butuan City)
We want peace and we welcome the resumptions of the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front (GPH – NDF) and the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH – MILF) this month.
We want peace and we call on everyone to initiate or support activities that would lead to the successful conclusion of the peace negotiations.
We are making this call fully aware that we have gone so far in the ways of war. We live in a region where the armed conflict between the government forces and elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) has been more pronounced than the other regions in the country and been there for decades.
We respect those who take up arms as an option to correct what could actually be said as injustices in our midst in the same way that we understand the government’s armed forces in unleashing the machines of war. But we hate seeing in the process so much blood spilled, disruptions and destructions, lost lives, insecurities and missed opportunities to improve our well being.
We will work for the necessary transformation in the same way that we will defend a threatened state. But let that be done in the ways of peace. The resumptions of the peace talks therefore deserve all the support we can extend. Along this line we commit to take the following activities as support to the peace process:
Initiate or join a peace forum or discussions in our localities
Initiate a peace wall signing in the offices or coordination centers of our organizations or schools
Conduct signature campaign in our offices, schools or communities
Initiate candle lighting for peace in front of houses, along the streets
Call on other organizations to also take the initiatives to support the peace process
Support activities of other entities that support the peace process
We want peace and we place our stake into it in the ongoing peace process.
We want peace and we welcome the resumptions of the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front (GPH – NDF) and the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH – MILF) this month.
We want peace and we call on everyone to initiate or support activities that would lead to the successful conclusion of the peace negotiations.
We are making this call fully aware that we have gone so far in the ways of war. We live in a region where the armed conflict between the government forces and elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) has been more pronounced than the other regions in the country and been there for decades.
We respect those who take up arms as an option to correct what could actually be said as injustices in our midst in the same way that we understand the government’s armed forces in unleashing the machines of war. But we hate seeing in the process so much blood spilled, disruptions and destructions, lost lives, insecurities and missed opportunities to improve our well being.
We will work for the necessary transformation in the same way that we will defend a threatened state. But let that be done in the ways of peace. The resumptions of the peace talks therefore deserve all the support we can extend. Along this line we commit to take the following activities as support to the peace process:
Initiate or join a peace forum or discussions in our localities
Initiate a peace wall signing in the offices or coordination centers of our organizations or schools
Conduct signature campaign in our offices, schools or communities
Initiate candle lighting for peace in front of houses, along the streets
Call on other organizations to also take the initiatives to support the peace process
Support activities of other entities that support the peace process
We want peace and we place our stake into it in the ongoing peace process.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Statement of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles Regarding the NDFP’s proposal to defer peace talks and demand to release consultants
The statements made by National Democratic Front of the Philippines' (NDFP) chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni and NDF panel member Fidel Agcaoili are most unfortunate.
I would like to refer to the statements made in January of this year, of government chief negotiator Alexander Padilla, after the preliminary negotiations between the government and the NDFP. I quote negotiator Padilla, who said in his statement that “the government agreed to work, on best effort basis, for the release of NDFP consultants and personalities who are qualified under the JASIG so they may meaningfully participate in the negotiations."
"The resumption of the formal negotiations with the NDFP will focus on the remaining substantive agenda on: socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms and end of hostilities and disposition of forces. To avoid unwarranted disruptions of the negotiations, the Parties also established sidetable mechanisms to review and address procedural and non-substantive issues such as JASIG implementation, the release of alleged political prisoners (APOs), and confidence-building and goodwill measures."
In line with this, the Government reiterates its sincerity and commitment to this process. In fact, in February of this year, before the start of the formal talks in Oslo, Norway, we facilitated provision of travel documents for NDFP Reciprocal Working Committee on Socio Economic Reform (RWC-SER) members Rafael Baylosis and Randall Echanis and NDFP consultant Angelina Bisuna Ipong. Likewise, the GPH took effective remedies to ensure the participation in the February talks of NDFP consultants Vicente Ladlad and Elizabeth Principe.
As far as I know, there has not been any changes on the agreements between the government and the NDFP. Preparations for the substantive agenda are moving forward. The Panel is fully aware of the developments brought about by the statements issued by Jalandoni and Agcaoili. I am confident that the Panel will manage this issue well and shall release its own official statement soon.
I am also confident that given the opportunity, the mechanisms set-up by both Parties to address the non-substantive issues will work towards the resolution of this issue. We enjoin the NDFP to continue having faith in this mechanism. The government remains committed to stay the course and discuss whatever it takes to bring a just and lasting peace for the country.
I would like to refer to the statements made in January of this year, of government chief negotiator Alexander Padilla, after the preliminary negotiations between the government and the NDFP. I quote negotiator Padilla, who said in his statement that “the government agreed to work, on best effort basis, for the release of NDFP consultants and personalities who are qualified under the JASIG so they may meaningfully participate in the negotiations."
"The resumption of the formal negotiations with the NDFP will focus on the remaining substantive agenda on: socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms and end of hostilities and disposition of forces. To avoid unwarranted disruptions of the negotiations, the Parties also established sidetable mechanisms to review and address procedural and non-substantive issues such as JASIG implementation, the release of alleged political prisoners (APOs), and confidence-building and goodwill measures."
In line with this, the Government reiterates its sincerity and commitment to this process. In fact, in February of this year, before the start of the formal talks in Oslo, Norway, we facilitated provision of travel documents for NDFP Reciprocal Working Committee on Socio Economic Reform (RWC-SER) members Rafael Baylosis and Randall Echanis and NDFP consultant Angelina Bisuna Ipong. Likewise, the GPH took effective remedies to ensure the participation in the February talks of NDFP consultants Vicente Ladlad and Elizabeth Principe.
As far as I know, there has not been any changes on the agreements between the government and the NDFP. Preparations for the substantive agenda are moving forward. The Panel is fully aware of the developments brought about by the statements issued by Jalandoni and Agcaoili. I am confident that the Panel will manage this issue well and shall release its own official statement soon.
I am also confident that given the opportunity, the mechanisms set-up by both Parties to address the non-substantive issues will work towards the resolution of this issue. We enjoin the NDFP to continue having faith in this mechanism. The government remains committed to stay the course and discuss whatever it takes to bring a just and lasting peace for the country.
Bike for Peace signifies collective action, determination, imagination to stay the course - Deles
Upi, Maguindanao, June 2 – More than a show of support to the Mindanao peace process, the “Bike for Peace” event is a symbolic act and a reminder that the work for peace involves collective action, determination and imagination to stay the course to achieve a just and lasting peace in southern Philippines, according to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles.
“This exercise as envisioned is meant to simulate our own collective experience of making and waging peace, in addition to getting a wider public interest and support for the Mindanao peace process. It is a symbolic act and a reminder to us all of what the work for peace entails: peace is action, peace is effort, peace is community, peace is reaching out, peace is going the extra mile,” Deles stressed during the bikefest held recently from Cotabato City to Upi, Maguindanao.
With the theme “Going the Extra Mile for Peace in Mindanao,” the Bike for Peace was initiated by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to gain heightened public support on the peace process. More than 600 participants from various sectors pedaled the 36-kilometer route from Cotabato City Hall to Upi Municipal Gymnasium.
Deles also said that the bikefest is a reminder of what it takes to achieve the goal of peace. “If it is not your training that will help you to stay the course, it will be your determination that will. If it is not your determination, it will be your companion who will. And if this would still not be enough, it will be your imagination that will help to bring you to the end of the journey.”
‘Walang iwanan’
In her message, the peace adviser likewise underscored the “promise of faithful accompaniment that riders make to each other before embarking on a long and difficult journey,” which means nobody will be left behind.
“And this, in the peace process, is the appeal I want to make to all of you – walang iwanan. Magkakasama tayo hindi lang sa mga panahon ng tagumpay, kundi lalo na sa mga panahon na malubak ang kalsada at may mga kasamang nadadapa (Nobody shall be left behind. We shall be together not only in times of triumph, but especially in times when the road is rough and our companions stumble),” she said.
“When one of our companions in the peace process falls, I hope we will be like the bikeriders who faithfully provide accompaniment to their fallen fellow riders, instead of breaking away to get ahead of the pack. More than the experience of camaraderie is the experience of faithful accompaniment that I know we will truly experience today,” added Deles.
Public support to peace process
The Bike for Peace culminated at the Upi Municipal Gymnasium where Upians also held a program in celebration of their 11th anniversary of “Day of Peace.”
Deles attended the unveiling of the Tree of Peace marker that symbolizes the desire of the Upians to attain lasting peace in Mindanao.
“I hope the public will continually be involved in the peace process,” she stated. “Peace constituency is needed and this event has shown us how ordinary people can go the extra mile for peace.”
GPH panel chair Marvic Leonen called on the participants and the people of Upi to “spread the word: The government is resolute in achieving peace in Mindanao with the principled and pragmatic cooperation of the MILF and with the help of the people.” #
“This exercise as envisioned is meant to simulate our own collective experience of making and waging peace, in addition to getting a wider public interest and support for the Mindanao peace process. It is a symbolic act and a reminder to us all of what the work for peace entails: peace is action, peace is effort, peace is community, peace is reaching out, peace is going the extra mile,” Deles stressed during the bikefest held recently from Cotabato City to Upi, Maguindanao.
With the theme “Going the Extra Mile for Peace in Mindanao,” the Bike for Peace was initiated by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to gain heightened public support on the peace process. More than 600 participants from various sectors pedaled the 36-kilometer route from Cotabato City Hall to Upi Municipal Gymnasium.
Deles also said that the bikefest is a reminder of what it takes to achieve the goal of peace. “If it is not your training that will help you to stay the course, it will be your determination that will. If it is not your determination, it will be your companion who will. And if this would still not be enough, it will be your imagination that will help to bring you to the end of the journey.”
‘Walang iwanan’
In her message, the peace adviser likewise underscored the “promise of faithful accompaniment that riders make to each other before embarking on a long and difficult journey,” which means nobody will be left behind.
“And this, in the peace process, is the appeal I want to make to all of you – walang iwanan. Magkakasama tayo hindi lang sa mga panahon ng tagumpay, kundi lalo na sa mga panahon na malubak ang kalsada at may mga kasamang nadadapa (Nobody shall be left behind. We shall be together not only in times of triumph, but especially in times when the road is rough and our companions stumble),” she said.
“When one of our companions in the peace process falls, I hope we will be like the bikeriders who faithfully provide accompaniment to their fallen fellow riders, instead of breaking away to get ahead of the pack. More than the experience of camaraderie is the experience of faithful accompaniment that I know we will truly experience today,” added Deles.
Public support to peace process
The Bike for Peace culminated at the Upi Municipal Gymnasium where Upians also held a program in celebration of their 11th anniversary of “Day of Peace.”
Deles attended the unveiling of the Tree of Peace marker that symbolizes the desire of the Upians to attain lasting peace in Mindanao.
“I hope the public will continually be involved in the peace process,” she stated. “Peace constituency is needed and this event has shown us how ordinary people can go the extra mile for peace.”
GPH panel chair Marvic Leonen called on the participants and the people of Upi to “spread the word: The government is resolute in achieving peace in Mindanao with the principled and pragmatic cooperation of the MILF and with the help of the people.” #
Friday, May 27, 2011
UNWFP’s ‘Walk the World’ to feed hungry kids in Mindanao conflict areas
Manila, May 28 – On May 29, Sunday, around 3,000 Filipinos will walk the streets to promote global awareness on the issue of child hunger and raise funds for child feeding programs in Mindanao conflict communities.
Spearheaded by the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP), the fundraising event dubbed “End Hunger: Walk the World” aims to feed the hungry and malnourished children in different countries. In Manila, it will be held at the SM Mall of Asia (across Music Hall) in Pasay City from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Proceeds of the event will go directly to the UNWFP’s school feeding activities in the conflict-affected areas in the south. The UN agency has been a key contributor in the Mindanao peace process by addressing the food security needs of vulnerable people in war-torn areas.
Together with its global humanitarian partners in the corporate world - TNT, Unilever and DSM – the UNWFP will lead participants in the traditional walk and five-kilometer fun run.
Registration fees of P 250 (for walkers) and P 500 (for runners) per participant will help ensure that one meal a day is delivered to the school children in Mindanao.
“End Hunger: Walk the World” is a worldwide event that will occur simultaneously in 24 time zones within 24 hours in 80 different countries.
Along with various organizations, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), spearheaded by Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, is supporting the event.
Bike for Peace
On the same day, a peace campaign called “Bike for Peace 2011” will be held in Cotabato City.
Bringing the statement, “Going the Extra Mile for Peace in Mindanao,” the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), together with 500 bikers and peace advocates, will gather to pedal a 36-km route for promoting peace in the region.
The GPH peace panel initiated the event to gain heightened support from the public on the Mindanao peace process.
By 6:30 a.m., the 36-km bike fest will start at the Cotabato City Hall then pass through the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat, and end near the Municipal Hall of Upi, Maguindanao. #
Spearheaded by the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP), the fundraising event dubbed “End Hunger: Walk the World” aims to feed the hungry and malnourished children in different countries. In Manila, it will be held at the SM Mall of Asia (across Music Hall) in Pasay City from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Proceeds of the event will go directly to the UNWFP’s school feeding activities in the conflict-affected areas in the south. The UN agency has been a key contributor in the Mindanao peace process by addressing the food security needs of vulnerable people in war-torn areas.
Together with its global humanitarian partners in the corporate world - TNT, Unilever and DSM – the UNWFP will lead participants in the traditional walk and five-kilometer fun run.
Registration fees of P 250 (for walkers) and P 500 (for runners) per participant will help ensure that one meal a day is delivered to the school children in Mindanao.
“End Hunger: Walk the World” is a worldwide event that will occur simultaneously in 24 time zones within 24 hours in 80 different countries.
Along with various organizations, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), spearheaded by Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, is supporting the event.
Bike for Peace
On the same day, a peace campaign called “Bike for Peace 2011” will be held in Cotabato City.
Bringing the statement, “Going the Extra Mile for Peace in Mindanao,” the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), together with 500 bikers and peace advocates, will gather to pedal a 36-km route for promoting peace in the region.
The GPH peace panel initiated the event to gain heightened support from the public on the Mindanao peace process.
By 6:30 a.m., the 36-km bike fest will start at the Cotabato City Hall then pass through the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat, and end near the Municipal Hall of Upi, Maguindanao. #
Filipino people should own the peace process – GPH panel member
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Tuesday, May 24, 2011
GPH, MILF join forces to rescue kidnapped Fil-Chinese trader A positive dev’t in peace process - Leonen
Kabuntalan, Maguindanao, May 24 – The government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have joined forces in the 10-day continuous pursuit operations that led to the rescue of Filipino-Chinese businesswoman Angelina Suken Chew Manjique early this morning.
Manjique, owner of Sam’s Restaurant and Bakery in North Upi, Maguindanao, was released by her kidnappers at 4:30 a.m. in Barangay Dadtumeg in this town.
Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel chair Marvic Leonen congratulated the 6th Infantry Division led by Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, and the MILF for conducting joint operations. “This is a positive development in the peace process,” he said in a statement.
He also lauded the efforts of the joint Coordinating Committee in the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of the GPH and the MILF for complementing the actions of the military and police.
“However, we still expect the MILF to pursue and arrest the kidnappers who are currently operating in areas dominated by their group,” added Leonen.
Kato's involvement
A very reliable source involved in the operations confirmed that some of the kidnappers of Manjique were identified to be members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) under MILF commander Amiril Umra Kato who broke away to form his own armed group. There are also reports that some commanders belonging to the BIFF attempted to reinforce the kidnappers but were thwarted by the showing of more superior forces.
“Law enforcement operations are still continuing to arrest the perpetrators at the soonest possible time,” he said.
On this, Leonen called on the MILF to take steps in finding “ways and means to discipline Kato for ever attempting to assist the kidnappers.”
Earlier, the panel chair had expressed serious concern over having an MILF breakaway group, considering its grave implications to ceasefire and peace negotiations in general.
Joint CCCH and AHJAG
Manjique was kidnapped on the afternoon of May 14 by five unidentified men and brought to the Liguasan Marsh, an area in Maguindanao inhabited by MILF members.
“Considering that it is an MILF-dominated area, our military and police immediately coordinated with the government CCCH and AHJAG to assist in the rescue operations. Members of our CCCH and AHJAG contacted their MILF counterparts who carried out their own operations,” Leonen recounted.
He also said that the kidnappers were forced to release Manjique on the 10th day in Dadtumeg where she was fetched and brought to a nearby hospital.
“However, the operations do not end here. The government is actively pursuing the perpetrators in order to bring them to justice. We expect the MILF to do their part in pursuing and arresting the kidnappers who are currently operating in their areas,” Leonen stated.
The government panel is set to present its proposal to the MILF on the next round of talks on June 27-28 in Kuala Lumpur. #
Manjique, owner of Sam’s Restaurant and Bakery in North Upi, Maguindanao, was released by her kidnappers at 4:30 a.m. in Barangay Dadtumeg in this town.
Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel chair Marvic Leonen congratulated the 6th Infantry Division led by Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, and the MILF for conducting joint operations. “This is a positive development in the peace process,” he said in a statement.
He also lauded the efforts of the joint Coordinating Committee in the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of the GPH and the MILF for complementing the actions of the military and police.
“However, we still expect the MILF to pursue and arrest the kidnappers who are currently operating in areas dominated by their group,” added Leonen.
Kato's involvement
A very reliable source involved in the operations confirmed that some of the kidnappers of Manjique were identified to be members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) under MILF commander Amiril Umra Kato who broke away to form his own armed group. There are also reports that some commanders belonging to the BIFF attempted to reinforce the kidnappers but were thwarted by the showing of more superior forces.
“Law enforcement operations are still continuing to arrest the perpetrators at the soonest possible time,” he said.
On this, Leonen called on the MILF to take steps in finding “ways and means to discipline Kato for ever attempting to assist the kidnappers.”
Earlier, the panel chair had expressed serious concern over having an MILF breakaway group, considering its grave implications to ceasefire and peace negotiations in general.
Joint CCCH and AHJAG
Manjique was kidnapped on the afternoon of May 14 by five unidentified men and brought to the Liguasan Marsh, an area in Maguindanao inhabited by MILF members.
“Considering that it is an MILF-dominated area, our military and police immediately coordinated with the government CCCH and AHJAG to assist in the rescue operations. Members of our CCCH and AHJAG contacted their MILF counterparts who carried out their own operations,” Leonen recounted.
He also said that the kidnappers were forced to release Manjique on the 10th day in Dadtumeg where she was fetched and brought to a nearby hospital.
“However, the operations do not end here. The government is actively pursuing the perpetrators in order to bring them to justice. We expect the MILF to do their part in pursuing and arresting the kidnappers who are currently operating in their areas,” Leonen stated.
The government panel is set to present its proposal to the MILF on the next round of talks on June 27-28 in Kuala Lumpur. #
GPH, MILF join forces to save kidnapped Fil-Chinese trader A positive dev’t in peace process - Leonen
Kabuntalan, Maguindanao, May 24 – The government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have joined forces in the 10-day continuous pursuit operations that led to the rescue of Filipino-Chinese businesswoman Angelina Suken Chew Manjique early this morning.
Manjique, owner of Sam’s Restaurant and Bakery in North Upi, Maguindanao, was released by her kidnappers at 4:30 a.m. in Barangay Dadtumeg in this town.
Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel chair Marvic Leonen congratulated the 6th Infantry Division led by Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, and the MILF for conducting joint operations. “This is a positive development in the peace process,” he said in a statement.
He also lauded the efforts of the joint Coordinating Committee in the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of the GPH and the MILF for complementing the actions of the military and police.
“However, we still expect the MILF to pursue and arrest the kidnappers who are currently operating in areas dominated by their group,” added Leonen.
Kato's involvement
A very reliable source involved in the operations confirmed that some of the kidnappers of Manjique were identified to be members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) under MILF commander Amiril Umra Kato who broke away to form his own armed group. There are also reports that some commanders belonging to the BIFF attempted to reinforce the kidnappers but were thwarted by the showing of more superior forces.
“Law enforcement operations are still continuing to arrest the perpetrators at the soonest possible time,” he said.
On this, Leonen called on the MILF to take steps in finding “ways and means to discipline Kato for ever attempting to assist the kidnappers.”
Earlier, the panel chair had expressed serious concern over having an MILF breakaway group, considering its grave implications to ceasefire and peace negotiations in general.
Joint CCCH and AHJAG
Manjique was kidnapped on the afternoon of May 14 by five unidentified men and brought to the Liguasan Marsh, an area in Maguindanao inhabited by MILF members.
“Considering that it is an MILF-dominated area, our military and police immediately coordinated with the government CCCH and AHJAG to assist in the rescue operations. Members of our CCCH and AHJAG contacted their MILF counterparts who carried out their own operations,” Leonen recounted.
He also said that the kidnappers were forced to release Manjique on the 10th day in Dadtumeg where she was fetched and brought to a nearby hospital.
“However, the operations do not end here. The government is actively pursuing the perpetrators in order to bring them to justice. We expect the MILF to do their part in pursuing and arresting the kidnappers who are currently operating in their areas,” Leonen stated.
The government panel is set to present its proposal to the MILF on the next round of talks on June 27-28 in Kuala Lumpur.#
Manjique, owner of Sam’s Restaurant and Bakery in North Upi, Maguindanao, was released by her kidnappers at 4:30 a.m. in Barangay Dadtumeg in this town.
Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel chair Marvic Leonen congratulated the 6th Infantry Division led by Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, and the MILF for conducting joint operations. “This is a positive development in the peace process,” he said in a statement.
He also lauded the efforts of the joint Coordinating Committee in the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of the GPH and the MILF for complementing the actions of the military and police.
“However, we still expect the MILF to pursue and arrest the kidnappers who are currently operating in areas dominated by their group,” added Leonen.
Kato's involvement
A very reliable source involved in the operations confirmed that some of the kidnappers of Manjique were identified to be members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) under MILF commander Amiril Umra Kato who broke away to form his own armed group. There are also reports that some commanders belonging to the BIFF attempted to reinforce the kidnappers but were thwarted by the showing of more superior forces.
“Law enforcement operations are still continuing to arrest the perpetrators at the soonest possible time,” he said.
On this, Leonen called on the MILF to take steps in finding “ways and means to discipline Kato for ever attempting to assist the kidnappers.”
Earlier, the panel chair had expressed serious concern over having an MILF breakaway group, considering its grave implications to ceasefire and peace negotiations in general.
Joint CCCH and AHJAG
Manjique was kidnapped on the afternoon of May 14 by five unidentified men and brought to the Liguasan Marsh, an area in Maguindanao inhabited by MILF members.
“Considering that it is an MILF-dominated area, our military and police immediately coordinated with the government CCCH and AHJAG to assist in the rescue operations. Members of our CCCH and AHJAG contacted their MILF counterparts who carried out their own operations,” Leonen recounted.
He also said that the kidnappers were forced to release Manjique on the 10th day in Dadtumeg where she was fetched and brought to a nearby hospital.
“However, the operations do not end here. The government is actively pursuing the perpetrators in order to bring them to justice. We expect the MILF to do their part in pursuing and arresting the kidnappers who are currently operating in their areas,” Leonen stated.
The government panel is set to present its proposal to the MILF on the next round of talks on June 27-28 in Kuala Lumpur.#
Environment advocates cite top conflict drivers in CASER focus group
Manila, May 23 – Advocates have underscored environment-related causes of armed conflict during a series of focus group discussions (FGDs) held recently by the government Reciprocal Working Committee on Socio-economic Reforms (RWC-SER).
The FGDs were part of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel’s efforts to draw feedback from various stakeholders on the ongoing peace process with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).
Headed by panel member Ednar Dayanghirang, the RWC-SER conducted three FGDs that focused on the environment – specifically on Environmental Risks and Resource Access and Utilization. Joining him were RWC members Fr. Albert Alejo and Prof. Fernando Aldaba.
In one FGD participants maintained that rampant and irresponsible mining activities causing death and destruction to environment lead to armed conflict. They also pointed out that large-scale mining operations encroach on lands of indigenous peoples (IPs) sometimes “with the help of government forces.”
According to one participant, mining toxic wastes are detrimental not only to the environment, but also to the communities that depend on the environment for livelihood. “Mine tailings that go to rivers affect those who need it for their livelihood, such as fisherfolk and farmers,” he said.
Another issue tackled in the FGDs was the disaster preparedness of local governments, especially those in the eastern part of the country like the Bicol region. “These areas, the corridor of poverty, are usually hit by storms and are among the poorest in the country. These are also where the insurgents breed,” explained one participant.
Another participant said solving these problems would need creativity. He added that reforms should not only focus on government actions but also on changing the culture of today’s Filipinos.
Other FGDs conducted by RWC-SER covered issues related to IPs, urban land reform, fisheries and forest reform, inclusive growth, agrarian reform, industrial policy and agricultural development, and social protection.
Inputs from these were used by the Committee in drafting the government’s version of the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-economic Reforms (CASER) which will be exchanged for review with the NDFP version two weeks before the first bilateral meeting in June.
CASER is one of three key agreements that the GPH and the NDFP agreed to complete within a timeframe of 18 months to three years. The other two are the Comprehensive Agreement on Political-Constitutional Reforms (CAPCR), and the Agreement on End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces (EoH/DoF).#
The FGDs were part of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel’s efforts to draw feedback from various stakeholders on the ongoing peace process with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).
Headed by panel member Ednar Dayanghirang, the RWC-SER conducted three FGDs that focused on the environment – specifically on Environmental Risks and Resource Access and Utilization. Joining him were RWC members Fr. Albert Alejo and Prof. Fernando Aldaba.
In one FGD participants maintained that rampant and irresponsible mining activities causing death and destruction to environment lead to armed conflict. They also pointed out that large-scale mining operations encroach on lands of indigenous peoples (IPs) sometimes “with the help of government forces.”
According to one participant, mining toxic wastes are detrimental not only to the environment, but also to the communities that depend on the environment for livelihood. “Mine tailings that go to rivers affect those who need it for their livelihood, such as fisherfolk and farmers,” he said.
Another issue tackled in the FGDs was the disaster preparedness of local governments, especially those in the eastern part of the country like the Bicol region. “These areas, the corridor of poverty, are usually hit by storms and are among the poorest in the country. These are also where the insurgents breed,” explained one participant.
Another participant said solving these problems would need creativity. He added that reforms should not only focus on government actions but also on changing the culture of today’s Filipinos.
Other FGDs conducted by RWC-SER covered issues related to IPs, urban land reform, fisheries and forest reform, inclusive growth, agrarian reform, industrial policy and agricultural development, and social protection.
Inputs from these were used by the Committee in drafting the government’s version of the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-economic Reforms (CASER) which will be exchanged for review with the NDFP version two weeks before the first bilateral meeting in June.
CASER is one of three key agreements that the GPH and the NDFP agreed to complete within a timeframe of 18 months to three years. The other two are the Comprehensive Agreement on Political-Constitutional Reforms (CAPCR), and the Agreement on End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces (EoH/DoF).#
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Peace advocate defends closed meeting
Published Date: May 19, 2011
A PEACE advocate defended the decision of the government peace panel to bar journalists from attending a peace consultation with local executives in Mindanao.
Lawyer Mary Ann Arnado, secretary-general of the Mindanao Peoples Caucus, said the action of the panel must be understood in the context of “collecting inputs from political leaders and local government officials.”
On Monday, journalists were barred from attending a dialogue between the panel and local leaders in the province of Basilan. Yesterday, the peace panel also prevented the media from joining a “courtesy call” with Zamboanga City mayor Celso Lobregat.
“At this point when they are still hearing out the sentiments and views of the local leaders, it might not be productive at all to open the exchanges to the scrutiny of the media as that might prevent a frank discussion of vital issues,” said Arnado.
Bishop Martin Jumoad of Basilan earlier said it was “not proper” for the government to tell the media to leave during the meeting’s “open forum,” adding that the consultation aimed at promoting transparency.
“The media must be present to validate what they were discussing, and for the sake of the people. The people, through the media, deserve to know what is being discussed because it is the people who will live with that kind of life,” Bishop Jumoad was quoted as saying by a local news report.
The prelate said the government peace panel should make all information open to the public and bring the discussion down to the grassroots
Source: UCAN
A PEACE advocate defended the decision of the government peace panel to bar journalists from attending a peace consultation with local executives in Mindanao.
Lawyer Mary Ann Arnado, secretary-general of the Mindanao Peoples Caucus, said the action of the panel must be understood in the context of “collecting inputs from political leaders and local government officials.”
On Monday, journalists were barred from attending a dialogue between the panel and local leaders in the province of Basilan. Yesterday, the peace panel also prevented the media from joining a “courtesy call” with Zamboanga City mayor Celso Lobregat.
“At this point when they are still hearing out the sentiments and views of the local leaders, it might not be productive at all to open the exchanges to the scrutiny of the media as that might prevent a frank discussion of vital issues,” said Arnado.
Bishop Martin Jumoad of Basilan earlier said it was “not proper” for the government to tell the media to leave during the meeting’s “open forum,” adding that the consultation aimed at promoting transparency.
“The media must be present to validate what they were discussing, and for the sake of the people. The people, through the media, deserve to know what is being discussed because it is the people who will live with that kind of life,” Bishop Jumoad was quoted as saying by a local news report.
The prelate said the government peace panel should make all information open to the public and bring the discussion down to the grassroots
Source: UCAN
ARMM poll synchronization will aid Mindanao peace process - Deles
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Deles urges non-profit groups to engage in peace process
MANILA, May 18 – Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has called on leaders and representatives of non-profit and charitable organizations to engage in efforts that would advance the peace process in the country.
During the 39th Annual General Assembly of the Association of Foundations (AF) held recently at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati, Deles urged them to help spur hope among the people, particularly when there are challenges surrounding the peace process.
“Don’t just put projects and feeding programs, but imagine with us to help communities understand peace, especially in times of disappointment and cynicism,” she said, likewise stressing the need to help poor communities become resilient to conflict.
Deles provided updates on the Aquino administration’s ongoing peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).
She also cited possible areas in the peace process in which civil society can contribute. Among these include peacemaking through faithful advocacy, promotion and information dissemination, and providing technical support and advice.
Further, the peace adviser underlined President Benigno Aquino III’s policy thrust of exercising transparency and inclusiveness in the peace talks “with the aim to restore full confidence and trust in the process.”
OPAPP Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo, who also attended the event, briefed the participants on the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) or PAMANA program, the government’s flagship peace and development program.
Concerns from civil society
During the open forum, one participant from a Mindanao-based foundation said that some civil society groups are reluctant to participate in government peace efforts for “fear of being tagged as part of the government’s anti-insurgency efforts.”
“Programs like PAMANA are perceived as counter-insurgency actions,” he stated.
On this, Deles said that it is but common to “be called bad names not only by people we talk to across the table, but by other people who do not agree that we should be helping these people.”
“But for government, it’s clear. We have responsibilities to the people. We do PAMANA because we are a responsible government,” she added. “Do we let them define us or we define what we should do and find the means to do it?”
Another participant from a foundation focusing on health care asked how is OPAPP responding to the situation of political prisoners who have been suffering from cancer, tuberculosis and other serious illnesses.
Deles replied that OPAPP is not an implementing agency. However, there are other government agencies involved in the peace process that are dealing with such concerns. “DOJ (Department of Justice) Sec. Leila de Lima, who valiantly headed the Commission on Human Rights, has these items on her table,” she said, adding that reports like this should contain specific details for OPAPP to work on.
On the issue of education in conflict areas, one participant lamented that education is a priority of the administration, but when Muslim and Lumad communities ask for financial assistance to improve education in their areas, the government would always have no funding for it.
Deles answered that the budget they are on this year was proposed by the previous administration that had a different agenda.
The participants thanked the peace adviser for providing a comprehensive report on the peace process and clarifying certain issues.
They likewise lauded the efforts of the government to strengthen women participation in the peace process with the presence of women peace negotiators – Miriam Coronel-Ferrer for talks with the MILF, and Jurgette Honculada and Lourdes Tizon for talks with the CPP-NPA-NDFP.
The AF is a network of non-government organizations formed in 1972. Among its notable members are SM Foundation, ABS-CBN Foundation, Aboitiz Group Foundation, Childhope Asia Philippines, E. Zobel Foundation, Habitat for Humanity Philippines Foundation, and many others. #
During the 39th Annual General Assembly of the Association of Foundations (AF) held recently at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati, Deles urged them to help spur hope among the people, particularly when there are challenges surrounding the peace process.
“Don’t just put projects and feeding programs, but imagine with us to help communities understand peace, especially in times of disappointment and cynicism,” she said, likewise stressing the need to help poor communities become resilient to conflict.
Deles provided updates on the Aquino administration’s ongoing peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).
She also cited possible areas in the peace process in which civil society can contribute. Among these include peacemaking through faithful advocacy, promotion and information dissemination, and providing technical support and advice.
Further, the peace adviser underlined President Benigno Aquino III’s policy thrust of exercising transparency and inclusiveness in the peace talks “with the aim to restore full confidence and trust in the process.”
OPAPP Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo, who also attended the event, briefed the participants on the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) or PAMANA program, the government’s flagship peace and development program.
Concerns from civil society
During the open forum, one participant from a Mindanao-based foundation said that some civil society groups are reluctant to participate in government peace efforts for “fear of being tagged as part of the government’s anti-insurgency efforts.”
“Programs like PAMANA are perceived as counter-insurgency actions,” he stated.
On this, Deles said that it is but common to “be called bad names not only by people we talk to across the table, but by other people who do not agree that we should be helping these people.”
“But for government, it’s clear. We have responsibilities to the people. We do PAMANA because we are a responsible government,” she added. “Do we let them define us or we define what we should do and find the means to do it?”
Another participant from a foundation focusing on health care asked how is OPAPP responding to the situation of political prisoners who have been suffering from cancer, tuberculosis and other serious illnesses.
Deles replied that OPAPP is not an implementing agency. However, there are other government agencies involved in the peace process that are dealing with such concerns. “DOJ (Department of Justice) Sec. Leila de Lima, who valiantly headed the Commission on Human Rights, has these items on her table,” she said, adding that reports like this should contain specific details for OPAPP to work on.
On the issue of education in conflict areas, one participant lamented that education is a priority of the administration, but when Muslim and Lumad communities ask for financial assistance to improve education in their areas, the government would always have no funding for it.
Deles answered that the budget they are on this year was proposed by the previous administration that had a different agenda.
The participants thanked the peace adviser for providing a comprehensive report on the peace process and clarifying certain issues.
They likewise lauded the efforts of the government to strengthen women participation in the peace process with the presence of women peace negotiators – Miriam Coronel-Ferrer for talks with the MILF, and Jurgette Honculada and Lourdes Tizon for talks with the CPP-NPA-NDFP.
The AF is a network of non-government organizations formed in 1972. Among its notable members are SM Foundation, ABS-CBN Foundation, Aboitiz Group Foundation, Childhope Asia Philippines, E. Zobel Foundation, Habitat for Humanity Philippines Foundation, and many others. #
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
GPH panel dialogues with Basilan execs
Isabela City, BasiIan, May 18 – The second leg of local government unit (LGU) consultations successfully began on Monday in Basilan wherein local chief executives welcomed their first-ever dialogue with the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel on the ongoing peace negotiations with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Held at the Provincial Capitol here, the consultation was led by Panel Chair Marvic Leonen along with members Senen Bacani, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, and consultant Hamid Barra. Joining them were Basilan Governor Jum J. Akbar, Vice Governor Al-Rasheed Sakkalahul, government Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) Chair BGen. Ariel Bernardo, and members of the GPH panel secretariat.
Leonen told some 24 mayors, vice mayors and other local chief executives from different municipalities in Basilan that “the reason why we are here is to listen to your general sentiment.”
The panel chair provided a brief background as well as the latest updates on the GPH-MILF peace process. This was followed by an open forum which was held closed-door.
On Tuesday, the panel headed to Zamboanga City to pay courtesy call to Mayor Celso Lobregat and other LGU officials, and afterwards to the Basilan Ulamas Supreme Council and other ulamas of Zamboanga.
Since it was reconstituted in July last year, the panel has been holding dialogues with various sectors in Mindanao in hopes of bringing the sentiments of the public to the negotiating table.
Last month, it consulted the local chief executives of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat.
Today, they are set to consult LGU officials of Sulu at the Lantaka Hotel in Zamboanga. #
Held at the Provincial Capitol here, the consultation was led by Panel Chair Marvic Leonen along with members Senen Bacani, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, and consultant Hamid Barra. Joining them were Basilan Governor Jum J. Akbar, Vice Governor Al-Rasheed Sakkalahul, government Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) Chair BGen. Ariel Bernardo, and members of the GPH panel secretariat.
Leonen told some 24 mayors, vice mayors and other local chief executives from different municipalities in Basilan that “the reason why we are here is to listen to your general sentiment.”
The panel chair provided a brief background as well as the latest updates on the GPH-MILF peace process. This was followed by an open forum which was held closed-door.
On Tuesday, the panel headed to Zamboanga City to pay courtesy call to Mayor Celso Lobregat and other LGU officials, and afterwards to the Basilan Ulamas Supreme Council and other ulamas of Zamboanga.
Since it was reconstituted in July last year, the panel has been holding dialogues with various sectors in Mindanao in hopes of bringing the sentiments of the public to the negotiating table.
Last month, it consulted the local chief executives of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat.
Today, they are set to consult LGU officials of Sulu at the Lantaka Hotel in Zamboanga. #
Monday, May 9, 2011
Govt, CPLA prepare for closure agreement
GPH, CBA-CPLA prepare for closure agreement
Manila, May 9 – Following the signing of a joint declaration to indicate their steadfast commitment to fast track peace and development in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA) are working towards a closure agreement that will lead to the transformation of the armed group into a legitimate socio-economic entity, and disposition of its arms and forces.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said that the closure agreement will “entail an essential shift in the way the CPLA views itself.”
“No longer as an armed group with a command structure that has commanders as leaders and combatants as members, but as a potent socio-economic, unarmed force that can directly make a difference in the lives of their families and communities,” she stated during the signing of the Joint Declaration of Commitment for Peace held last Friday at the Ortigas Park in Pasig City.
The peace adviser related that the closure agreement will embody six elements: community projects for identified communities; livelihood and employment support for CPLA members; sub-regional development projects; legacy documentation; final disposition of arms and forces; transformation of the CBA-CPLA into a potent, unarmed, socio-economic organization.
“We have from each side designated our joint panel which will be working very hard to detail the contents and procedures that will go into the agreement,” Deles said, adding that the closure pact will be signed in Malacañang upon approval of President Benigno Aquino III in the soonest possible time.
‘We are ready’
CPLA Chair Arsenio Humiding said that their group is ready to transform itself and face the enormous challenge of helping their communities surmount poverty. “Our organization is ready. The commitment is clear that we are willing and ready to transform,” he stated during his speech.
He expressed high hopes that the Aquino administration will “lead us head on.”
“Right now, we’re going to start with something new. We’ve proven to the Cordillera that the CBA-CPLA is strong, consolidated and united to stand on behalf of the Cordillera,” he said.
Humiding added that the preparation for the closure agreement has been an arduous process of dialogues and consultations.
He called on the various sectors to support the peace process between the GPH and the CBA-CPLA. “We need to act and finish the Mt. Data Accord. This has long been overdue and it’s time to be finished.”
CBA President Marcelina Bahatan, on the other hand, appreciated the “initiative of the current adviser (Deles) to work for the closure of the peace agreement.”
Commitment of support
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) Secretary Dinky Soliman expressed solidarity with the government and CBA-CPLA’s mutual pursuit for a negotiated political settlement.
She said that DSWD is eager to assist them in their plans of developing their communities through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resolute Communities) or PAMANA program.
“Under PAMANA, we will complement your efforts to achieve genuine development in the Cordillera,” Soliman told the more than 100 members of the CBA-CPLA who arrived all the way from CAR.
Pura Sumangil, chair of the Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Governance (CCAGG), a civil society organization who has been helping the government mainstream former combatants in CAR for many years, proposed to help the GPH and the CBA-CPLA by keeping watch of the implementation of the closure pact.
“We offer ourselves to monitor for free the flow of seed investments coming from the government to the CPLA. This is to protect these investments at the same time ensure its honest project implementation,” she said, while challenging both parties to remain committed to the agreement. #
Manila, May 9 – Following the signing of a joint declaration to indicate their steadfast commitment to fast track peace and development in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA) are working towards a closure agreement that will lead to the transformation of the armed group into a legitimate socio-economic entity, and disposition of its arms and forces.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said that the closure agreement will “entail an essential shift in the way the CPLA views itself.”
“No longer as an armed group with a command structure that has commanders as leaders and combatants as members, but as a potent socio-economic, unarmed force that can directly make a difference in the lives of their families and communities,” she stated during the signing of the Joint Declaration of Commitment for Peace held last Friday at the Ortigas Park in Pasig City.
The peace adviser related that the closure agreement will embody six elements: community projects for identified communities; livelihood and employment support for CPLA members; sub-regional development projects; legacy documentation; final disposition of arms and forces; transformation of the CBA-CPLA into a potent, unarmed, socio-economic organization.
“We have from each side designated our joint panel which will be working very hard to detail the contents and procedures that will go into the agreement,” Deles said, adding that the closure pact will be signed in Malacañang upon approval of President Benigno Aquino III in the soonest possible time.
‘We are ready’
CPLA Chair Arsenio Humiding said that their group is ready to transform itself and face the enormous challenge of helping their communities surmount poverty. “Our organization is ready. The commitment is clear that we are willing and ready to transform,” he stated during his speech.
He expressed high hopes that the Aquino administration will “lead us head on.”
“Right now, we’re going to start with something new. We’ve proven to the Cordillera that the CBA-CPLA is strong, consolidated and united to stand on behalf of the Cordillera,” he said.
Humiding added that the preparation for the closure agreement has been an arduous process of dialogues and consultations.
He called on the various sectors to support the peace process between the GPH and the CBA-CPLA. “We need to act and finish the Mt. Data Accord. This has long been overdue and it’s time to be finished.”
CBA President Marcelina Bahatan, on the other hand, appreciated the “initiative of the current adviser (Deles) to work for the closure of the peace agreement.”
Commitment of support
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) Secretary Dinky Soliman expressed solidarity with the government and CBA-CPLA’s mutual pursuit for a negotiated political settlement.
She said that DSWD is eager to assist them in their plans of developing their communities through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resolute Communities) or PAMANA program.
“Under PAMANA, we will complement your efforts to achieve genuine development in the Cordillera,” Soliman told the more than 100 members of the CBA-CPLA who arrived all the way from CAR.
Pura Sumangil, chair of the Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Governance (CCAGG), a civil society organization who has been helping the government mainstream former combatants in CAR for many years, proposed to help the GPH and the CBA-CPLA by keeping watch of the implementation of the closure pact.
“We offer ourselves to monitor for free the flow of seed investments coming from the government to the CPLA. This is to protect these investments at the same time ensure its honest project implementation,” she said, while challenging both parties to remain committed to the agreement. #
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Nun urges church to 'listen, understand' MILF demands
05-May-11, 6:25 PM | Romy Elusfa, special to InterAksyon.com
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MANILA, Philippines - "The church should listen to and try to understand the demands" of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a Catholic nun said Thursday.
Sr. Ma. Arnold Noel, SSPS, said the church can only contribute to the peace process in Mindanao if it listens and “recognize(s) that a historical injustice has been done against them.”
The nun, who traces her roots to Mindanao, was one of some 100 participants to a dialogue with the MILF peace negotiating panel, led by Mohagher Iqbal, in Quezon City Thursday morning.
Representatives of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRPS) and the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches attended the dialogue.
“The church, including the government, should look at the root cause of the Mindanao problem if they want to contribute in solving the problem,” she said in an interview after the first in a series of dialogues the MILF has lined up with non-Moro people in Manila from May 4-7.
Among the sectors the rebels will consult are businessmen, churches, the academe and civil society organizations. They will also meet with members of the diplomatic community.
The MILF will present to the participants the proposals for a negotiated settlement of the four-decade old Mindanao conflict, which they submitted to the government during the formal resumption of the peace talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last April 27-28.
Sr. Noel said Mindanao was “once not just a food basket but a paradise. That was when it was not yet annexed by the Philippine government. Mindanao is the only place in the country which was never conquered by our colonizers.”
Today, she lamented, “Mindanao is one of the poorest regions in the country despite the fact that it has all the resources that make this country survive.”
Sr. Noel, who admits being angered by the aborted signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain when the pact, which would have led to the creation of a Bangsamoro homeland, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, said they would “double their efforts now to ensure that the MOA-AD debacle will never be repeated.”
The SC decision was almost immediately followed by renewed fighting between the MILF and government forces that displaced up to 700,000 people in central and western Mindanao.
Sr. Noel said she had also asked chief government negotiator Marvic Leonen, to “correct the historical injustice against the Bangsamoro people.
“You do not have the right to talk of justice if you cannot even give to the Bangsamoro what is due to them,” she said, recalling the time when government invited people from Luzon and the Visayas to settle in Mindanao under a law that allowed indigenous people to own only five hectares of land, and Muslims, 10 hectares, but set no ownership limits for the newcomers.
Iqbal, on the other hand, reported that the initial consultations with the religious and businessmen in Mindanao were “very encouraging,”
“For the past several weeks, not counting those dialogues in the past months and years held by the MILF peace panel, we have been very busy in reaching out to the non-Moro non-government organizations, civil society organizations, people’s organizations, religious groups, both Catholic and Protestants, business groups and indigenous communities,” Iqbal told participants at the Thursday dialogue.
“The feedbacks that we receive from the (consultation) participants are very encouraging, especially from the business groups and the Christian religious groups in Mindanao,” he said. “We would have a very effective and powerful base of support for our journey to peace and just settlement of the conflict in Mindanao.”
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MANILA, Philippines - "The church should listen to and try to understand the demands" of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a Catholic nun said Thursday.
Sr. Ma. Arnold Noel, SSPS, said the church can only contribute to the peace process in Mindanao if it listens and “recognize(s) that a historical injustice has been done against them.”
The nun, who traces her roots to Mindanao, was one of some 100 participants to a dialogue with the MILF peace negotiating panel, led by Mohagher Iqbal, in Quezon City Thursday morning.
Representatives of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRPS) and the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches attended the dialogue.
“The church, including the government, should look at the root cause of the Mindanao problem if they want to contribute in solving the problem,” she said in an interview after the first in a series of dialogues the MILF has lined up with non-Moro people in Manila from May 4-7.
Among the sectors the rebels will consult are businessmen, churches, the academe and civil society organizations. They will also meet with members of the diplomatic community.
The MILF will present to the participants the proposals for a negotiated settlement of the four-decade old Mindanao conflict, which they submitted to the government during the formal resumption of the peace talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last April 27-28.
Sr. Noel said Mindanao was “once not just a food basket but a paradise. That was when it was not yet annexed by the Philippine government. Mindanao is the only place in the country which was never conquered by our colonizers.”
Today, she lamented, “Mindanao is one of the poorest regions in the country despite the fact that it has all the resources that make this country survive.”
Sr. Noel, who admits being angered by the aborted signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain when the pact, which would have led to the creation of a Bangsamoro homeland, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, said they would “double their efforts now to ensure that the MOA-AD debacle will never be repeated.”
The SC decision was almost immediately followed by renewed fighting between the MILF and government forces that displaced up to 700,000 people in central and western Mindanao.
Sr. Noel said she had also asked chief government negotiator Marvic Leonen, to “correct the historical injustice against the Bangsamoro people.
“You do not have the right to talk of justice if you cannot even give to the Bangsamoro what is due to them,” she said, recalling the time when government invited people from Luzon and the Visayas to settle in Mindanao under a law that allowed indigenous people to own only five hectares of land, and Muslims, 10 hectares, but set no ownership limits for the newcomers.
Iqbal, on the other hand, reported that the initial consultations with the religious and businessmen in Mindanao were “very encouraging,”
“For the past several weeks, not counting those dialogues in the past months and years held by the MILF peace panel, we have been very busy in reaching out to the non-Moro non-government organizations, civil society organizations, people’s organizations, religious groups, both Catholic and Protestants, business groups and indigenous communities,” Iqbal told participants at the Thursday dialogue.
“The feedbacks that we receive from the (consultation) participants are very encouraging, especially from the business groups and the Christian religious groups in Mindanao,” he said. “We would have a very effective and powerful base of support for our journey to peace and just settlement of the conflict in Mindanao.”
Friday, April 29, 2011
Gov’t assures Cordilleran IPs to bring in their issues in CASER draft with NDF
Gov’t assures Cordilleran IPs to bring in their issues in CASER draft with NDF
Lacub, Abra, Apr. 30
– Peace panel member Ednar Dayanghirang on Wednesday assured the indigenous peoples (IP) of the Cordillera that the government will take account of the issues and recommendations they have aired in drafting the Comprehensive Agreement on the Socio-economic Reforms (CASER) with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).
In a joint peace consultation with NDFP panel member Rafael Baylosis during the 27thCordillera Day held in Barangay Buneg here, Dayanghirang urged the IP representatives of Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Benguet, Ifugao and Mountain Province to continue articulating their concrete proposals to the Government of the Philippines (GPH).
Also present were Fr. Albert Alejo, member of the GPH Reciprocal Working Committee (RWC) on CASER, and Jimmid Mansayag, government consultant on IP concerns. Beverly Longid, IP resource person from the NDFP side, likewise joined the dialogue.
Dayanghirang stressed that the GPH-NDFP talks now focus on CASER to "address the roots of armed conflict and help lead to reforms that the people seek." CASER is one of three key agreements that the government and the CPP-NPA-NDFP have agreed to complete within a period of 18 months to three years.
Dayanghirang, an IP from the Mandaya tribe of Davao Oriental and chair of the GPH Reciprocal Working Committee (RWC) on CASER, cited six roots of the armed conflict which the CASER draft proposal must confront. These include poverty, poor delivery of basic services, marginalization of IPs, inequitable distribution of wealth and resources, unemployment and underemployment, and environmental degradation.
Noting that a lot still needs to be done to address IP issues, Dayanghirang said that poverty and underdevelopment have grown as reflected in statistics.
Immediate measures
The secluded, landlocked town of Lacub is among many areas in the Cordillera region richly endowed with gold ore deposits and other mineral resources but remains underdeveloped, Dayanghirang underscored.
There has been decades-old opposition to large-scale mining which has caused damage to the environment and local agriculture, economic and physical displacement of IP communities, and worsening impacts of climate change.
In the manifestos read by provincial IP representatives, issues on ancestral domain claims, alleged human rights violations of the military, poor delivery of basic services, corruption among local officials, and others were highlighted as barriers to development.
On this, Dayanghirang said that the GPH panel will consider recommending immediate measures to address the problems. "The panel has the moral ascendancy to tell the President (Benigno Aquino III) what the people want," he said.
Among these are revisiting and evaluating conflicting policies regarding ancestral domain claims; considering a legal framework where Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) holders can defend their ancestral lands; and proposing to include public lands in the distribution to peasants.
Dayanghirang also asked the IPs to "educate us on your stand regarding the bills or the laws that you are proposing," expressing hopes that more IPs will represent them on the legislative level.
On the NDFP part, Baylosis called for a moratorium on mining in the region. He added that the NPA can be given the responsibility "to guard the forests as well as the ancestral domains from capitalists."
"We can also create a joint political authority that would implement the reforms that have been agreed," he suggested.
IP support
Dayanghirang appealed to the IPs to push both parties to finally come to a peace agreement. "We have to continue persuading each other," he stated.
He also urged them to continue these dialogues because "the masses are critical to the success of the negotiations."
"Peace talks would be useless if the people are not involved," stressed Dayanghirang.
Further, he encouraged them to help the government and the NDFP solicit inputs from the people by holding their own consultations. "Let us pool our efforts in bridging the gap between the people and the government so that the government will understand the issues of the basic sectors."
The GPH-NDF joint peace consultation was organized by the Cordillera People’s Alliance and Katribu Partylist. #
Lacub, Abra, Apr. 30
– Peace panel member Ednar Dayanghirang on Wednesday assured the indigenous peoples (IP) of the Cordillera that the government will take account of the issues and recommendations they have aired in drafting the Comprehensive Agreement on the Socio-economic Reforms (CASER) with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).
In a joint peace consultation with NDFP panel member Rafael Baylosis during the 27thCordillera Day held in Barangay Buneg here, Dayanghirang urged the IP representatives of Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Benguet, Ifugao and Mountain Province to continue articulating their concrete proposals to the Government of the Philippines (GPH).
Also present were Fr. Albert Alejo, member of the GPH Reciprocal Working Committee (RWC) on CASER, and Jimmid Mansayag, government consultant on IP concerns. Beverly Longid, IP resource person from the NDFP side, likewise joined the dialogue.
Dayanghirang stressed that the GPH-NDFP talks now focus on CASER to "address the roots of armed conflict and help lead to reforms that the people seek." CASER is one of three key agreements that the government and the CPP-NPA-NDFP have agreed to complete within a period of 18 months to three years.
Dayanghirang, an IP from the Mandaya tribe of Davao Oriental and chair of the GPH Reciprocal Working Committee (RWC) on CASER, cited six roots of the armed conflict which the CASER draft proposal must confront. These include poverty, poor delivery of basic services, marginalization of IPs, inequitable distribution of wealth and resources, unemployment and underemployment, and environmental degradation.
Noting that a lot still needs to be done to address IP issues, Dayanghirang said that poverty and underdevelopment have grown as reflected in statistics.
Immediate measures
The secluded, landlocked town of Lacub is among many areas in the Cordillera region richly endowed with gold ore deposits and other mineral resources but remains underdeveloped, Dayanghirang underscored.
There has been decades-old opposition to large-scale mining which has caused damage to the environment and local agriculture, economic and physical displacement of IP communities, and worsening impacts of climate change.
In the manifestos read by provincial IP representatives, issues on ancestral domain claims, alleged human rights violations of the military, poor delivery of basic services, corruption among local officials, and others were highlighted as barriers to development.
On this, Dayanghirang said that the GPH panel will consider recommending immediate measures to address the problems. "The panel has the moral ascendancy to tell the President (Benigno Aquino III) what the people want," he said.
Among these are revisiting and evaluating conflicting policies regarding ancestral domain claims; considering a legal framework where Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) holders can defend their ancestral lands; and proposing to include public lands in the distribution to peasants.
Dayanghirang also asked the IPs to "educate us on your stand regarding the bills or the laws that you are proposing," expressing hopes that more IPs will represent them on the legislative level.
On the NDFP part, Baylosis called for a moratorium on mining in the region. He added that the NPA can be given the responsibility "to guard the forests as well as the ancestral domains from capitalists."
"We can also create a joint political authority that would implement the reforms that have been agreed," he suggested.
IP support
Dayanghirang appealed to the IPs to push both parties to finally come to a peace agreement. "We have to continue persuading each other," he stated.
He also urged them to continue these dialogues because "the masses are critical to the success of the negotiations."
"Peace talks would be useless if the people are not involved," stressed Dayanghirang.
Further, he encouraged them to help the government and the NDFP solicit inputs from the people by holding their own consultations. "Let us pool our efforts in bridging the gap between the people and the government so that the government will understand the issues of the basic sectors."
The GPH-NDF joint peace consultation was organized by the Cordillera People’s Alliance and Katribu Partylist. #
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