MILF: Hopes of Peace Diminishing by the Day

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PUBLISHED ON May 18, 2008 AT 7:53 AM

What, in your view, are the implications of Malaysia’s pullout from the IMT?

Very serious. This means the ceasefire is shaky on the ground and the peace talks are heading toward an uncertain future.

What is your response to Secretary Gonzalez’s implying that the MILF’s position on ancestral domain is tantamount to “secessionism”?

Nonsense view, coming no less than from a man who is supposed to know his law.

Why did the government allow the peace negotiation to travel far in time, not to state the hard bargaining, impasses, or threat of renewed war in Mindanao, and after the Parties managed to sign at least 49 consensus points on the four strands of ancestral domain, they all of a sudden question it? Why did they exercise “due diligence” only now and not on the first day of the talks?

Would you agree with Bishop Gutierrez that the Philippine government lacks political will to solve the war in Mindanao?

It is not only political will that is lacking in the Arroyo government but more than anything else, sincerity.

Do you think Britain’s offer to send peace talks experts to the Philippines would be helpful to the GRP-MILF peace talks?

In some ways it can help.

Would you agree with Ambassador Beckingham’s statement that “there are similarities” between the experience in Northern Ireland and what is happening in Mindanao?

Yes, both the Northern Ireland conflict (between Catholics and Protestants) and the Mindanao Problem are sovereignty-based problems.

The British made an outstanding exercise of diplomacy and a great deal of political will to address the Northern Ireland conflict. They used the Good Friday Agreement to amend the British Constitution.

Manila is closing its eyes to all these successful models around the world, such in Kosovo, Aceh, South Sudan, Bougainville, etc. It always insists on such cliched approach of constitutional stamp on agreements arrived at with rebels like the MILF.

Given all the recent developments, do you see any prospect of attaining peace under the Arroyo regime?

My hope of attaining genuine peace with the Arroyo administration is diminishing swiftly on a day-to-day basis. Bulatlat/pinoypress.net

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