After President Aquino-Murad meet, crucial steps still needed

We welcome the historic meeting between President Aquino and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim in Tokyo. This unprecedented move, assisted by the Japanese government, brings us leagues closer to a just peace.

The government’s chief negotiator Marvic Leonen has stated that the meeting was at the behest of the President himself, “who sought the meeting prior to the government’s submission of its own agenda for the talks.”

We note, with optimism, Leonen’s observation that the MILF chair thrice said, “We are confident with your administration. You are unlike the previous administration. You are sincere.”

We commend President Aquino for taking this bold step, which has elevated the trust and confidence of both panels that a just peace is within reach.

Even more important, President Aquino and MILF chief Murad have strengthened the trust and confidence of the citizens of conflict-affected Mindanao that a just peace will come soon.

The next steps are more crucial:

1. Appoint competent men and women to administer the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). A period of two years is too long for incompetent administrators and will set back the Aquino administration’s reform program for ARMM.

2. Ensure the meaningful participation of all stakeholders in the peace and reform processes. President Aquino promised during his inauguration address and first State of the Nation Address that he will avoid the mistakes of previous regimes. This can be done by sustained engagements with civil society organizations, thereby ensuring legitimacy to the process.

3. Move beyond the rhetoric of autonomy and ensure fiscal autonomy to complement the promise of self-government.

4. Consolidate this positive, confidence-building development by ensuring that no more delays attend the presentation of its counter-proposals.

—AMINA RASUL,

president, Philippine Center

for Islam and Democracy;

managing trustee,

Magbassa Kita Foundatio, Inc.,

Room 307, Continental Court,

47 Annapolis St., Greenhills, San Juan City