The Initiatives for International Dialogue together with its allied networks in Mindanao and Sulu welcomes the timely call of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) for an immediate ceasefire between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Sulu. Indeed, the ceasefire is a rational step if only to save thousands of innocent civilian lives who might again have to pay a high price for this pointless war. Sadly, this is happening amidst what the OIC, the Philippine Government and the MNLF proudly claim “the feat of peace” in the 1996 peace agreement.
The Initiatives for International Dialogue together with its allied networks in Mindanao and Sulu welcomes the timely call of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) for an immediate ceasefire between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Sulu. Indeed, the ceasefire is a rational step if only to save thousands of innocent civilian lives who might again have to pay a high price for this pointless war. Sadly, this is happening amidst what the OIC, the Philippine Government and the MNLF proudly claim “the feat of peace” in the 1996 peace agreement.
We urge the OIC to take two steps further in its call for a ceasefire. We appeal that they immediately convene the Tripartite Meeting in Jeddah – an overdue commitment which they promised to do when Ambassador Sayed El Masry visited Mindanao in May 2006. It is almost a year now since El Masry’s visit to Mindanao & Sulu but nothing has happened out of those overflowing assurances, press statements and public announcements for the holding of the tripartite meeting. The hopes that the OIC had left our people have vanished from each postponement after another of scheduled meetings in Jeddah.
Turning Ustadz Habier Malik now as a rogue commander of the MNLF as the government projects him to be we find very disturbing at the very least. And putting a one million peso – bounty on his head neither helps the already depressing situation. The statement only reveals an utter lack of background investigation with regards to the standing of Malik as a revolutionary leader of the MNLF in Sulu. Already we can see how this labeling will progress from rogue, to lawless, ergo terrorist.
We call on the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to play a more pro-active, sobering and engaging role it is expected of and immediately take positive immediate steps to finally realize the promise to convene the tripartite meeting. Similarly, we also call on the MNLF to set aside internal dynamics and stand united amidst the political and military convulsion that it is facing today.
What is happening in Sulu is something sadly expected, a carnage waiting to happen because the 1996 Peace Agreement was allowed to go down the drain putting all the hard work on it to waste.
But we still believe it is not too late. And both our leaders in the government and the MNLF should act more responsibly and benevolently for the sake of the thousands of civilians and evacuees who are now scampering for safety in Sulu. We all need to immediately attend to the cries of the people we have avowed to fight and protect rather than run amuck in the race for power and positions in the coming elections.
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