GPH’s ‘3 in 1’ proposal seeks to promote peace, uplift lives

by OPPAP

Kuala Lumpur, Aug. 24 – As the 22nd formal exploratory talks between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) came to a close on Tuesday, GPH panel chair Marvic Leonen underscored the government’s principled, realistic and practical approach to bring peace and uplift lives in Mindanao.

Leonen, who is currently in the Malaysian capital, held a press briefing attended by foreign journalists based in Kuala Lumpur and beamed through video conferencing technology to the press in Malacañan Palace. Joining him were panel members Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Ramon Piang, Sr., Senen Bacani and panel consultant Hamid Barra. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, on the other hand, was present in the Malacañan briefing room.

The panel chair said that the proposal, follows a comprehensive "3 for 1" approach or "three components for one solution to the Bangsamoro problem," seeking to not just bring peace but more importantly improve the lives of the people and communities in the troubled south who have "long suffered from the brutality of decades-long armed conflict."

According to Leonen, the "3 for 1" approach includes components, such as massive economic development, political settlement with the MILF, and cultural-historical acknowledgment. It resulted from the GPH panel’s extensive consultations with various sectors in Mindanao.

On the component of massive economic development, he related that the government will pursue the transformation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). This will entail a “massive program of social services and economic development” that will “prepare the people and strengthen foundations.”

“The objective of such is to break the cycle of poverty in the ARMM, so that people are actually empowered to undertake economic activities that benefit themselves and their communities in order to achieve real progress,” Leonen stated, stressing that the government is ready to partner with the MILF to deliver, implement and monitor social services and economic development in their areas.

The second component of the “3 for 1” proposal is political settlement or peace accord which “focuses more on the do-ables in the short term rather than dwell on contentious and divisive issues whose solutions may take a longer time to address.”

Leonen explained that under this component is the proposed creation of a Bangsamoro Commission that will supervise the implementation of the peace pact. This will be composed of the government, the MILF and the stakeholders in the Mindanao peace process.

The third component, the panel chair said, is the cultural-historical acknowledgment that “corrects historical narratives and fosters appreciation of different cultures borne out of the struggles of all Filipinos including those of Bangsamoro identity."

MILF panel response

Leonen related that the MILF panel accepted and examined the government proposal on Monday evening.

“Last night, the MILF studied the proposal and decided to advise the GPH this morning that it would be advising its Central Committee to reject the proposal. However, the MILF panel did not return the document. They said they needed the document to show the Central Committee for their decision.”

Despite the MILF panel’s response, Leonen acknowledged the situation as normal. “It is not unusual in negotiations that one of the parties take a hard-line position on the contents of the initial documents of another party.”

Kato, in fighting within MILF

The GPH panel brought up the issue of Ustadz Ameril Umbta Kato, his MILF splinter group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and the 17 rido (clan feud) incidents that involved at least an MILF commander.

Leonen stated that the MILF Central Committee has declared Kato as “bougat or one who defies or does not obey an order.”

“They (MILF) have asked that we give them 10 days after Eid’l Fitr to settle the Kato issue,” he said.

Leonen added that the government is now considering Kato as not part of the MILF anymore. “He is no longer covered by ceasefire arrangements. Therefore, the usual legal arrangements will apply in his steed.”

On BLMI

Likewise included in the agenda of the GPH-MILF peace talks was the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI), which is a mechanism, proposed by the MILF during past negotiations, that intends to train young Moro leaders to lead and manage in the future.

On this, Leonen said that the GPH panel turned over to their MILF counterparts a check worth P 5 million for the continuous establishment of the BLMI, as instructed by President Aquino.

Next steps

After the talks, the GPH panel will continue its consultations with different sectors to explain the government proposal and get feedback. “It will be an exploratory and consultative process in order to ensure that the voices of the different stakeholders will be well-represented  in the crafting of a final peace accord.”

“We are going to report to the President, await his instructions and his mandate,” he added.

Muslims end Ramadhan; urged to sow peace, love, unity

by Ali G. Macabalang

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Aug 31 (PIA) – As the estimated 1.57 billion Muslims across the world celebrated the end of their Ramadhan fast through the Islamic festive time of Eid’l Fitr Tuesday, leaders in the troubled areas of Southern Philippines echoed the universal prayers for peace, unity and love in a fashion they deemed as the “only avenue” to bring the nation to greater heights.

In the Philippines, which is known to be Asia’s lone Catholic nation, Muslim citizens are among the minority sectors searching for proper moments like the Eid’l Fitr (the Day of Feast in Islam) to sound off prayers for peaceful coexistence through interfaith dialogs as mean of fostering a convergent efforts on nation-building.

In this city, for the whole month of Ramadhan, radio stations and tabloids have heralded paid messages of Muslim leaders in various professions and sectors reminding their constituents on the need for spiritual and moral advancement to push for “universal understanding” especially in this era of political and economic complexities.

Hadji Abdulmalik Ansaruddin A. Adiong, incumbent acting governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, for instance, has underscored the “power of prayers in all times.”

“Prayers help make people become good…And if Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths will persist to be good citizens, there would be no doubt that goodness will rein in our society,” said Adiong, a scion of local political cum religious families.

Thus, in his published greeting message for the Eid’l Fitr celebration, Adiong called on Muslim and Christian Filipinos “to sow understanding when there is confusion, reconciliation where there is feud, unity when there is dissension, and love where there is hatred.”

He prodded the Muslim Ummah, the global community of an estimated 1.75 people, according to a recent foreign media report, on the need to learn and harness basic traits of piety.

“Let us develop the traits of Zikr (constant remembrance of God), Fikr (concern for our religion, community, and fellow mankind especially the hapless), Sukhr(modesty and contentment with gratitude to the Divine Providence), and Sabr(patience and perseverance amid trials).”

Adiong said these four traits, which had been practiced fervently by Prophets and disciples of Islam in various generations, are more imperative in the current times especially in our desire to leave in peaceful, harmonious, just and productive life.

VP BINAY: IGNORANCE, NOT FAITH, CAUSES CONFLICTS

by Media Relations, OVP

Manila- Vice President Jejomar C. Binay Friday said ignorance, not faith, is the cause of the continued misunderstanding among people of different religions.

“It is not Faith that drives our people apart. It never has been,” said the Vice President during the opening of the 8^th Eid’l Fitr Festival headed by the Magbassa Kita Foundation and the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy

“The real culprit is ignorance. It is this that breeds fear which in turn fuels misunderstanding and left unaddressed, erupts in division,” he added.

“It is easier to assign blame to religion, rather than work to discover what really ails us and what we need to heal. It is far more convenient to focus on what makes us different from each other as opposed to what binds us all towards a noble end,” the Vice President said.

Binay noted, however, that despite the conflicts, people of various faiths in most parts of the country live together in harmony and peace.

“Everyone pursues their professions and their trades within the ordinary life of the nation, and all make quiet yet crucial contributions to the future of their families and country,” he said.

In a previous statement, Binay said that as the celebration of the Eid’l Fitr fosters unity and peace, he hopes peace talks between the government and the MNLF will “finally put an end to years of conflict and bloodshed.”

The Eid’l Fitr Festival was launched in 1993 but was stopped because of the “9/11” tragedy in the United States which resulted to insurgency attacks in the Philippines. Its resurgence this year is aimed at uniting Muslim and non-Muslim participants through exhibits and cultural presentations to make them understand and appreciate Islam.

“Through your efforts, displays and programs, a deeper understanding of the Islamic way of living life in respect for God’s design, is made clear. This fosters discovery, dialogue and understanding on which lasting peace can be built and preserved. This is the great service that your celebration renders to mankind,” Binay said added.

He also said that the Festival provided good prospects for tourism as it offered a more varied perspective at the different cultures to be found in the country.

Muslim kids open Peace Month 2011 with Grand Hari Raya Puasa

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.