“Genuine peace must address the roots of Moro problems. The agreement should be reflective of the real condition of Moro people and should address the roots of the problem” — Bai Ali Indayla, spokesperson of Kawagib, a Moro human rights group
By DANILDA L. FUSILERO
Davao Today
KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato, Philippines — The framework agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has raised hopes among Moro communities, hoping to end the decades-long armed conflict in war-torn areas.
“Totoo na kaya ito? Ito na kaya ang sagot sa problemang Bangsamoro at sa Mindanao?,” Saidamen Cali, North Cotabato Coordinator of the Ulama League of the Philippines told davaotoday.com.
Cali, one of the respected Maranao religious leaders in the city, said that while they welcome the progress of the peace talks, previous experiences have made them doubtful of the sincerity of the Philippine government in attaining peace for the Moro people.
“Since Tripoli Agreement hanggang sa controversial na MOA-AD (Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain), walang napupuntahan ang mga pag-uusap. Sana ngayon, matuloy na (Nothing has happened since the Tripoli Agreement up to the controversial MOA-AD. This time, we are hoping that the peace negotiations will be successful),” Cali said.
MILF Political Affairs Chief Gadzali Jaffar said they are ready to end their armed struggle should the agreement comes into finality.
“Handa kaming ibaba ang aming mga armas sapagkat mayron na kaming gobyerno, kahit pa ilalim ito ng gobyernong Pilipinas. Bakit pa kami mag-aarmas eh may sarili na kaming gobyerno at Bangsamoro Police Force?,” Jaffar said in an interview over a local radio station in Cotabato City.
To this, Bai Ali Indayla, spokesperson of Kawagib, a Moro human rights group said, “Genuine peace must address the roots of Moro problems. The agreement should be reflective of the real condition of Moro people and should address the roots of the problem.”
She said that while they welcome the signing of the framework agreement as a “positive step in peace process,” she adds, “nag-alala rin kami kasi ginagamit ni PNoy na media hype ang framework agreement para sa pagpapabango lalo na at nalalapit ang election at may mga patatakbuhin siyang kandidato.”
Abby Pato of the Integrated Rural Development Foundation, a civil society group with programs on land tenure security and sustainable development here, also welcomed the recent development of the peace talks.
Unlike the MOA-AD, Pato told davaotoday.com, the process adopted in the framework agreement “mobilized almost all sectors including the non-Moro settlers and NGOs (non-government organizations) in Mindanao.”
“It employs participatory approach engaging even non-Moro settlers and NGOs alike,” he added.
Butch Akmad, a retired government employee and a Bangsamoro leader from Kabacan town also said, “The fact that both government and the MILF are happy of the framework, I believe it will likely resolve the conflict in Mindanao.”
“But for me, it’s not the final solution to the Bangsamoro problems nor is it the answer to the impoverished situation of the Muslims in Mindanao,” Akmad said.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Orlando Quevedo also raised optimism over the framework agreement between the government and the MILF.
In a radio interview, Archbishop Quevedo challenged all Mindanaoans to take part in the discussion of the framework. (Danilda Fusilero/davaotoday.com)
