Peace is a condition sine qua non to development. In a world battered by animosity and war, the desire for a just and lasting peace lies deep in our hearts and minds. Without enduring peace, equitable growth and sustainable development would not be possible. In the Ramos era, we came to appreciate that peace flows from sincerity with broad buy-in, and obtained through patience, persistence, prudence, circumspection, inclusion and transparency.
In 1996, the MILF did not sign the comprehensive peace deal with the MNLF that we painstakingly put together, with support from the OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference). During the cessation of hostilities, the MILF kept building its armed strength, kept up its armed attacks in Central Mindanao and continued to send its recruits to train in Pakistan and fight in Afghanistan with Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
Continue reading with one of these options:
Ad-free access
P 80 per month
(billed annually at P 960)
- Unlimited ad-free access to website articles
- Limited offer: Subscribe today and get digital edition access for free (accessible with up to 3 devices)