Political Tidbits
Peace process must continue
By Belinda Olivares-Cunanan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:03:00 08/21/2008
Filed Under: Mindanao peace process, Armed conflict, Personalities
MANILA, Philippines—The rampage of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in three Mindanao provinces left scores killed, including a lieutenant colonel from the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1990, dozens wounded and hundreds of civilians fleeing. The MILF raiders have shown little concern for lives, even the lives of those who share their Muslim faith. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro pointed out in a recent interview that before clearing out of the occupied villages, the MILF rebels under Commander Ameril Umbra Kato installed improvised explosive devices in some houses. (Half of the 6,000 families who have gone back to their homes are Muslims.)
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The nation is understandably appalled by the atrocities and the MILF central committee’s obvious lack of control over its field commanders. What then is the point of negotiating with the central committee if it has no control over them? Significantly, Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera has asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the petition of local Mindanao leaders against the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD). She says that recent developments have forced a “thorough review” of this peace instrument. At this point it looks like the 11-year-old peace process with the MILF is imperiled, especially so because many officials in government, including Congress, have come out with hawkish statements. The warning of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, Ferdinand Marcos’ longtime defense chief, that this could just be the beginning of the escalation of the Mindanao conflict weighs in more heavily in favor of preparing for war rather than continuing the peace process.
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The MILF incursions have encouraged hawks like deposed president Joseph Estrada to advocate an “all-out war against the MILF,” similar to what he waged during his brief tenure in office. “All-out war” makes for good sound bites, but is it really the answer? I note the understandable impatience in the recent statements of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Alexander Yano, amid pressures from everywhere to step up the AFP’s counteroffensive. Doubtless, the AFP feels that its hands are tied by the process now being so flagrantly violated by the MILF. Despite the beating of the war drums, however, Secretary Teodoro refuses to accuse the MILF of “insincerity.” He has stressed that government is not closing its doors to a dialogue. Removing that option will force the MILF to fight, he said. If I might add: to fight even more than they are doing now.
Teodoro, a Harvard-trained lawyer, must have studied the history of the Mindanao conflict and he realizes that even if the AFP and the MILF were to fight to the finish, the problem wouldn’t go away. It’s not unlike a plant whose trunk is cut off but could still spawn new saplings that could grow big. The ultimate solution is to go to the root of the conflict, which is stuck on perennial issues like ancestral domain, lack of education, basic services and equal opportunities, and the corruption of Muslim leaders (which keeps the region perpetually poor). It will never want for radicals and demagogues ready to exploit these woes if left unaddressed. The government is in the right direction in demanding that the MILF central committee turn over to the law enforcers the commanders who led the recent raids; but there are enough peace-lovers in society who also demand that the peace process continue. Fortunately, history has many examples of how peace was won despite the tortuous and bloody road the process had to take.
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This Thursday marks the 25th anniversary of the martyrdom of Ninoy Aquino. Fittingly, the EDSA People Power Commission, in cooperation with various agencies such as the National Commission on Culture & the Arts (NCCA) under Chairperson Dr. Vilma Labrador, has drawn up a slew of activities. Not the least is the festooning by Metro Manila mayors with yellow ribbons of various places, e.g., Ninoy’s funeral route in 1983, to revive our collective memory of that shot that rang out around the world.
There was also the month-long essay writing contest sponsored by NCCA, the winners of which will be announced at the NBN-4 TV cultural talk show of NCCA executive director Cecile Alvarez, “Sining Gising.” Films on the hero were shown at the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani; and the movie on Ninoy’s life, titled “Heart & Soul,” has been shown in various channels.
Last week there were also the interview of Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta and the premier showing of “One Life” by renowned filmmaker and broadcast journalist Tom Coffman, on the NBN-4 at 9 p.m. Thursday show, “Equilibrium,” which is hosted by former Sen. Heherson Alvarez. He hosts another episode tonight at 9 p.m. on reminiscences of Ninoy with various guests. Last Monday, Ninoy’s bust was formally installed at the Naia Terminal 3 with President Macapagal-Arroyo as guest of honor and his siblings in attendance.
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This Thursday’s activities include several wreath-layings: 7 a.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Monument in Manila, hosted by Mayor Fred Lim; 9 a.m. at Ninoy’s statue at the Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard; 11 a.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 tarmac; and 4 p.m. at the Ninoy Statue at Paseo cor. Ayala Avenue in Makati City.
A Mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m. by former president Cory Aquino and the Ninoy Aquino Foundation at the Don Bosco Parish Church on Arnaiz Ave., Makati. At 3 p.m. there will be a Gawad Kalinga inauguration at the Ninoy Village in Concepcion, Tarlac.
Ninoy’s poems (written in prison) and the statement he was not able to deliver 25 years ago are the subject of a nationwide declamation contest, whose finals will be held Friday at SM Manila at 2 p.m. The board of judges is composed of Education Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya, former Ateneo Voice of Democracy orator Roger Olivares, noted playwright Frank Rivera, a member of the Aquino family, and an SM official as members. The declamation winners will be announced at “Sining Gising” at NBN-4 (4-6 p.m.) on Sunday.
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