Snags in peace talks ‘normal’

Beautiful images graced the Inquirer’s front pages the other weekend, except that they came with bold, gloomy headlines: “MILF unhappy with talks” (June 15) and “Talks deadlocked—MILF” (June 16). The news regarding the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s frustration, impatience and complaint regarding the supposed delay in the peace negotiation to finish a comprehensive agreement has been echoed and sensationalized everywhere in daily papers, in radio and TV reports and online.

As an ordinary citizen concerned about the peace efforts in Mindanao, I can’t help but also be angry. What is the real score in the issue of delay? Is the delay in the peace talks, which is blamed by the MILF on government, “unnecessary” as alleged by the MILF?

I think that majority of the youth, especially those not residing in Mindanao, do not know the technical issues and history of the peace talks well enough to discern what is really going on in the negotiation.

But I believe the majority of them would be happy to hear of any progress in the cause of peace and development in Mindanao.

The signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) boosted my faith in the peace process—that it is the beginning of a new chapter of peace in Mindanao’s conflict-torn areas. I still hold on to that faith, and I am hoping that the internal conflict will end and that the Bangsamoro dream will be realized. Based on the wisdom that  “walang  di  pagkakaintindihan  na  hindi  madadaan  sa  magandang  usapan” (There’s no misunderstanding that cannot be overcome by cordial dialogue), I urge the government and the MILF to continue the peace talks and heed the clamor and aspirations of many ordinary citizens for a final closure to the conflict.

Experts say that snags in negotiations normally happen. Why lose faith? To the MILF, instead of sowing distrust and fears in the peace process, I believe the 16 years of peace negotiations that have gone a long way would be squandered and lost if they gave up or gave in to frustrations or anger. For the government, it is but right that officials exercise due diligence in forging an agreement and be fully clarified about the technical and legal matters on wealth sharing; all of government has a big role in its implementation.

Much work lies ahead in the implementation of the FAB and in drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law that will pave the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro.

A few weeks from now, Ramadan will be here, and President Aquino will be delivering his fourth State of the Nation Address.

Further ahead, it is my hope that the government, the MILF and more Filipinos make positive efforts to pave the way for more milestones in the peace process, milestones that will make a difference especially in the lives of our children and our young who have suffered war and poverty. Let us work patiently and constantly for lasting peace.

—MARIA SALIMAH HANAN,

msalimah.hanan@gmail.com