New Blog Post: Peace In The Philippines?

[KeithD]

Peace is looking a possibilty in Mindanao. I have written a small article on it: Is Peace In The Philippines Now Closer Than Ever? (http://filipinaroses.com/is-peace-in-the-philippines-now-closer-than-ever/)

[lastlid]

Who, in the Philippines, gets the credit for this?

[KeithD]

Probaby the US government :wink:

[Doc Alan]

I’m sure we all share the hope that peace can at last come to Mindanao and the Philippines. Well done to Keith ( Win2Win ) and Dedworth for drawing attention to this news, and Fred for your local insight :smile:. Well-wishers like me are interested but I’m no expert. See also :-

http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/41791-Philippines-and-Muslim-rebels-agree-peace-deal?highlight=Bangsamoro
... and from a few years ago :-
http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/10110-Who-are-these-so-called-quot-MILF-quot?highlight=Bangsamoro



Most of the Philippines Muslim minority ( 5% of the population ) live in Mindanao, where the various ethnic groups call themselves Moros – after a term used by Spanish colonists long ago ( Spanish “ Moor “ , from Latin “ Maurus “ ). The main “ rebel “ group, MILF ( Moro Islamic Liberation Front ) will give up its claim to an independent homeland in return for autonomy in the new area – Bangsamoro. The present slightly smaller autonomous area of Mindanao was taken over by the government in an attempt to reduce violence and corruption.



As with the situation in Northern Ireland, rebel forces are to be “ decommissioned “ and weapons are to be put “ beyond use “. The new “ framework agreement “ ( as described by President Aquino ) or “ road map “ ( MILF’s term ) is part of a gradual process whereby trust is built up. The details have yet to be worked out.



Responsibility for the agreement appears to rest with more than one group - Malaysia as the talks’ host, and representation from other countries. The Americans have hundreds of troops in Mindanao helping Philippine forces. Naturally President Aquino would like Bangsamoro established by the time he steps down in 2016.



The risks – as in Ireland – are splinter movements, other established militants like Abu Sayyaf, clan rivalries, and of course in the Philippines " guns are the extension of politics ".



The “ bargain of autonomy for peace “ could have applied in Sri Lanka ( Tamil Tigers were defeated at a cost of thousands of civilian lives ), and might work in other countries with similar problems ( Thailand and around the borders of Myanmar ).


“ The Economist “ has two recent articles ( including " Jam to Moros " ) on the topic, which I’ve summarised above – you may not be able to access the full articles unless you’re registered :-

http://www.economist.com/node/21564562
http://www.economist.com/node/21564611


See also :-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17038024

[lastlid]

An old video but nonetheless quite fitting and, interestingly, one of the Black Eyed Peas group, apl.de.ap, wants to be a party to the rebuilding process:

"Among the projects that apl.de.ap would like to spearhead in Mindanao are school-feeding programs and book donations. The singer who used to ride a jeepney to go to his school in Pampanga was often quoted as saying that “education is the only long-term ticket to a better life.”"

"apl.de.ap, along with other celebrity and personality peace ambassadors, were inducted formally by President Benigno Aquino III during the launch of the “I Am for Peace” campaign held on September 14 at Malacañan.

As a peace ambassador, he pledged to do his best in spreading good news about the country, and in calling on young people in the Philippines and around the world to give peace a chance via Twitter and other social media sites."

http://www.asianjournal.com/dateline-philippines/across-the-islands/17702-peace-ambassador-apldeap-pledges-books-classrooms-for-bangsamoro-children.html


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwsX7-lpORM

[Terpe]

Peace caravan from Mindanao heads to Manila

A nationwide peace caravan from various parts of Mindanao is now headed for Manila to witness the signing of the framework agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Monday.

The caravan, dubbed “Lakbay Kalinaw”, is led by Muslim and Christian peace advocates from Cotabato, Marawi, Maguindanao and Davao City to show their support for the agreement that aims to bring lasting peace in the south.

Lakbay Kalinaw coordinator Pendatun Disimban said a prayer vigil will be held at the Chino Roces Bridge in Manila Saturday night.

A “peace concert,” meanwhile, will be held on Sunday.

According to Atty. Mary Ann Arnado, secretary general of the Mindanao People Caucus, more advocates wanted to join the peace caravan but lack of funds became a hindrance.

President Benigno Aquino III announced the agreement in a speech last Sunday, saying the the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was “a failed experiment” that gave rise to alienation among the Muslims.

The President said the new entity, which will be called Bangsamoro, will undergo public discussions and a consequent plebiscite and elections to give all stakeholders a chance to share their views.

The Bangsamoro will have its own cultural and political identity, but it will not be considered a separate state.

Security alert

Authorities, meanwhile, are on heightened alert in Metro Manila ahead of the historic signing of the peace agreement.

Athough there is no specific threat, the police said the heightened alert is meant to ensure the security of arriving foreign dignitaries.

Among the VIPs attending the event are Malaysia's foreign minister and MILF leader Al Haj Murad.

The landmark framework agreement with the MILF aims to end decades of conflict in the south

Source:-
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/13/12/peace-caravan-mindanao-heads-manila

[lastlid]

Peace plan signed.

"The Philippines has signed a framework peace plan with the country's largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The deal follows lengthy negotiations aimed at ending a 40-year conflict that has cost an estimated 120,000 lives.

The agreement was reached in early October after talks in Malaysia.

It provides for a new autonomous region in part of the south where Muslims are a majority in a mainly Catholic nation.

The framework deal was signed by the chief negotiators of the government and the rebels, and witnessed by President Benigno Aquino and MILF leader Murad Ebrahim at the presidential palace in Manila.

The two leaders met and exchanged gifts ahead of the signing. Murad Ebrahim, said to be in his 60s, is the first MILF leader to visit the palace.

''This is the sound of peace,'' he said, banging on a traditional Muslim gong that he presented to Mr Aquino."

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-19944101