Support to ceasefire, dev’t initiatives vital to peace process

Zamboanga City, Jan. 12 – A member of the government peace panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Tuesday said that upholding the ceasefire and supporting development initiatives are necessary to advance the Mindanao peace process.

“We know how important these are so we are making sure that there would be no disruption,” Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer told local chief executives during a meeting with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) local government units at the Garden Orchid Hotel here.

Ferrer added that the infrastructures in place, such as the International Monitoring Team (IMT), Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Civilian Protection Component of the IMT, have played crucial roles in preventing armed clashes.

Established in 2003, the CCCH is comprised of members from both parties, as well as neutral parties. It has been tasked to resolve complaints over ceasefire violations so that small firefights do not escalate.

The IMT, on the other hand, monitors the ceasefire, socio-economic and humanitarian agreements between the government and the MILF. It is headed by the 20-strong delegation of Malaysia, Brunei and Libya with 15 and 3 members, respectively.

The Civilian Protection Component has mandated the IMT to expand its role to ensure the protection of civilians in armed conflict areas in Mindanao.

With the resumption of exploratory talks between the government and the MILF this month, Ferrer is hopeful that the meeting will be a success.

“Sana ay maging maayos na ang usapan nang sa gayon ay wala nang major outbreak of hostilities sa mga susunod na buwan at susunod na taon (We expect that the talks will go well so that there would be no major outbreak of hostilities in the months and years to come),” she stated.

Ferrer appealed to the local officials for their support, optimism, trust and understanding on the difficult pursuit to peace.

“Sana ay magkaisa-isa na tayo at mahanapan na talaga ng pangmatagalang kapayapaan at kaayusan dito sa ating minamahal na Mindanao (We hope that we’ll all be united and find lasting peace and order here in our beloved Mindanao),” she said.#