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THE government has rejected allegations that it
caused the Malaysian decision to pull out of the International
Monitoring Team (IMT).
Presidential Peace Adviser on the
Peace Process Jesus Dureza in various interviews with media,
including The Times and on TV news programs, has been reiterating
the government’s determination to push the peace process forward.
“We are not delaying but doing
due diligence in completing the government’s first final draft of
the ancestral domain agreement. We have to make sure that it can be
implemented,” Dureza said.
“It must be defensible against
those who challenge its constitutionality.”
Dureza expressed empathy with
those “sectors” that are impatient. But he stressed that the
Philippine government cannot treat this matter lightly.
He also repeated what Palace
spokesmen have said, the government’s appreciation for the help
the Malaysians have been giving in the Mindanao peace process.
He expressed the hope that
Malaysia will indeed continue to assist in bringing peace to
Mindanao.
Meanwhile, Moro civil society
groups have expressed fears that the Malaysian pull out will cause
the collapse of the entire IMT.
Entitled “MALAYSIAN MONITORS,
STAY ANOTHER DAY,” a distinguished group of Filipino Muslims and
Christians released this appeal:
WE are members of civil society,
government, academe and other stakeholders in peace from Mindanao,
Luzon, Visayas and National Capital Region with individuals working
for global peace affiliates, who are SERIOUSLY concerned with the
possible withdrawal of international monitors led by Malaysia in the
southern Philippines.
This has grave repercussions and
dangerous implications to the peace process and to the lives of
thousands of residents in communities who are still reeling from the
impact of decades of sporadic violence while undergoing
rehabilitation.
We extend our heartfelt
appreciation and gratitude to the Malaysian government for the vital
contribution in peacekeeping in the southern Philippines through
facilitation of the peace talks and being the largest contingent in
the IMT. Since GRP-MILF peace talks started in 1997 and Malaysia led
the IMT in early 2000, the number of armed incidents between the
government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has
dramatically decreased from an estimated 700 incidents to less than
20. Violence that affects communities had been minimized. The
monitors have instituted confidence-building measures such as
ceasefire mechanisms and joint military actions between the GRP and
MILF, opened lines of communication between the GRP and MILF and
helped bridged differences by backroom channeling.
The IMT has acknowledged and
involved local communities in peacekeeping thus empowering these
local stakeholders to sustain a peace environment. The harmonious
working relations among the IMT, military and local Bantay ceasefire
groups has tremendous impact in stabilizing security in the Southern
region.
We acknowledge the significant
and even leadership role of Malaysia in promoting peace,
democratization and stability in the region. As lead convenor of the
Asean Inter-Parliamentary Caucus for Good Governance, Malaysia plays
a key role in steering the region towards fulfilling human
development goals. As Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said as
an overarching principles for the Asean Community, “there should
be a universal acceptance that community interests would prevail
over national interests on issues affecting the community and that
Asean has to do better in giving national effect to wider
international treaties and conventions, including Asean treaties and
agreements by putting in place capacities for enforcing community
decisions.”
Malaysia’s commitment to the
Southern peace process in the Philippines, drawing attention to one
of the longest conflicts in the region, is a great act of
statesmanship and must be lauded. It is thus imperative that foreign
monitors stay to keep the peace. They ensure that any gains in the
peace process can be complied with and even sustained with support
from the donor community.
At a time of national crisis in
dealing with the rice shortage, our communities are in urgent need
of external support from our Malaysian brothers and sisters to
maintain an atmosphere of security in the South. Civil society
groups in the South are ONE WITH YOU in the quest for peace and
stability. We believe that it is our MORAL and COLLECTIVE
responsibility to address and even respond to the persistent call
for social justice by our brethren in the South. Let our historic
bonds of Malay solidarity and friendship strengthen our resolve to
forge a community of peace in the Asean.
The signatories are: Ed Garcia,
International Alert; Muhammad Abdus Sabur, secretary-general, Asian
Muslim Action Network; Rep Rissa Hontiveros Baraquel, Akbayan; Rep.
Mujiv Hatama, Anak Mindanao; Amina Rasul, Lead Convenor, Philippine
Council for Islam and Democracy and Editor of The Manila Times’
Moro Times monthly; Pendatun Disimban, deputy vice mayor, Manila;
Emily Marohombsar, former GRP panelist, GRP-MILF Peace Talks, and
former president, Mindanao State University; Former Rep. Mario Aguja,
professor, Mindanao State University-General Santos; Former Rep.
Loretta Ann Rosales, Asian Parliamentarian; Prof. Roland Simbulan,
former regent, University of the Philippines; Gus Miclat,
Initiatives for International Dialogue; Teresita Ang See, Citizens
Action Against Crime; Yasmin Busran-Lao, president, Nisa Ul Haqq Fi
Bangsamoro; Guiamel Alim, chairperson, Consortium of Bangsamoro
Civil Society; Samira Gutoc, chairperson, Young Moro Professionals
Network-Mindanao and also an editor of Moro Times; Byron Bocar,
Akbayan; Jolly Lais, Assalam Bangsamoro People’s Association,
Inc.; Atty. Raissa Jajuri, Saligan-Mindanao; Saleh Ampaso Bucay,
secretary-general, Federation of Maranao Associations in Saudi;
Prof. Muner Bajunaid, project coordinator, Empowering the Ulama,
former Chancellor, Mindanao State University-General Santos.
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