DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Despite the collapse of the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) following Malacañang’s decision to dissolve the Philippines’ peace panel earlier this week, a global peace organization has urged both the Arroyo administration and the Muslim rebels to uphold the gains of the peace process and strenghthen ceasefire mechanisms in conflict areas in Mindanao.
DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Despite the collapse of the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) following Malacañang’s decision to dissolve the Philippines’ peace panel earlier this week, a global peace organization has urged both the Arroyo administration and the Muslim rebels to uphold the gains of the peace process and strenghthen ceasefire mechanisms in conflict areas in Mindanao.
During its post-mission briefing held last month, members of the World Forum for Democratization in Asia (WFDA) and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC-Southeast Asia), urged the government to extend the International Monitoring Team (IMT) led by Malaysia who are scheduled to pull out last August 31.
“The extension of the IMT, which has performed well up to the present crisis, and which even now is maintaining the ceasefire in most of its coverage areas, is necessary,” said Paul Scott, a member of the 11 international and 8 Filipino members who visited Central and Western Mindanao and Sulu from August 24-28.
Scott said both the GRP and MILF should move immediately to invite the IMT to continue its woek, rather than pulling out. “Moreover,” he said,” the IMT could play a key role in supervising an investigation into the recent outbreak in Central Mindanao.”
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita stressed during a press conference in Malacañang last Thursday insisted that the IMT as well as the other ceasefire mechanisms will not be disbanded contrary to reports that both the IMT and the the Joint Coordination Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities (JCCCH) will be dissolved following the re-constitution of the government peace panel led by retired Gen. Rodolfo Garcia.
Bo Tedards, WFDA coordinator, also expressed alarm over the resurgence of the dreaded Ilaga—armed Christian movement known for their notoriety in the 70s.
“We view with extreme concern the arming of civilians, which is under way in at least some areas. Untrained and poorly organized civilians cannot meaningfully contribute to genuine security, but will only raise the risks of escalation of conflict,” Tedards said.
He added that the duty to protect the populace lies with state institutions such as the AFP and the Philippines National Police (PNP).
“We call on the national government and local governments to cease as well as to publicly discourage any such arming. In this regard, we welcome the assurance of North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Pinol on August 27, reiterated publicly the same day, that he will not condone or allow any attacks by Christian vigilantes (ilaga) against Muslim civilians,” said Gus Miclat, executive director of the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID).
The international mission said “certain challenges remain despite the gains of the peace process.”
In its statement, the mission stressed “we reaffirm our solidarity with the all the peoples of Mindanao and Sulu, Christian Muslim, and Lumad. In particular, we are inspired by courage of the victims of the conflict, the women, children, and powerless members of society who, in the face of so many difficulties, have not given up the hope for peace. In their honor, we will continue to work together with our dedicated partners in the Philippines and around the region for genuine and sustainable peace, democracy, and human rights.”
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