MOA-AD Reflection and Questions

Mindanao is not a war-zone. That's how I told Ajeet I want to start our letter to editor/s of newspapers and that's how I want to start this blog as well.

The entirety of Mindanao is not in war, there are isolated tensions but as a whole, Mindanao is generally peaceful and most, if not all, of the people directly affected by this conflict seek genuine and lasting peace.

Today were were fortunate to be given short talks regarding the MOA-AD by 2 members of the GRP panel. One of our teammates, Aili, was a staff at Balay Mindanaw and her office was kind enough to plan a whole morning for us discussing this major issue that seem to be the major cause of the recent conflict in the areas of Cotabato, Maguindanao and Lanao.

We started with a brief history of Mindanao and of the Moros who live here, which we already know a bit about from our Global Citizenship Days here in Phase II of our programme. Then we were given practical and basic explanation of the GRP-MILF peace process and talks, and of the content of the controversial MOA-AD.

I was deeply enlightened by the talks given by the 2 members of the panel. They gave vital information which we all needed to further understand all the recent events. Furthermore, they broke down some of the technical parts of the MOA to help us understand the story behind it and the future that awaits it. They enlightened us about the plebiscite that is to happen 12 months after the signing of the MOA and about the most controversial territorial contents of the MOA.

We didn't have enough time to go very much into details, but I have to say that some of their explanations have calmed me down and my major concerns about the BJE and made me reflect on GRP-MILF peace talks in a more rational manner; not in a very romantic way where I feel they might take away my territory or what have they done to the families in Linamon and the like. But because we did just have a short time to discuss the issue, there are still a lot of questions in my mind (some have already been asked by various politicials and opinion writers):

1) Why the Secrecy in the Content of the MOA? I can understand that because they were in the peace talks there are some things you just can't reveal in the public, but it seems like there was very poor consultation that was done? Even to LGU leaders there seem to be very poor consultation?

2) The timing is just questionable, I guess everything is when it is done during GMA's term and where there seem to be a looming idea of a possible Charter Change for the plans to prosper. Are we pushing for this to happen out of genuine concern for the safety of the affected provinces in Mindanao or is this but a disguise to find a "good" reason for charter change for people's term in office to last longer?

3) They are saying that they are going to do a different system of plebiscite this time, unlike the last time when they did it per municipality and ended up losing other baranggays that were for being part of the ARMM, they say they are going to look at it in a baranggay basis. What happens if only 1 baranggay among a municipality of 30 baranggays says Yes and in turn makes them a part of "BJE?" This baranggay becomes a "minority" of that municipality, makes it  geographically undesirable for the "central governance of "BJE." What are the implications in terms of governance  and administration in those baranggays? Technically isolated in their municipality, they again become marginalised which sort of defeats the whole purpose of being regonised?

4)What was the major technicality that the supreme court saw that advanced the TRO against the signing of the MOA. If they are saying it's the form of consultation, what does that say regarding the extensiveness on the research and surveys of GRP regarding what the other people of the ARMM or Mindanao-Sulu-Puerto Princesa genuinely want? How can proper consultation be done to those who are not so educated and who cannot understand all the politics that is involved in this?

5) Why is there major claim by MILF to include the IPs under their control in this agreement that they want signed? Who did they ask and what forms of consultation were done to even conclude that the IP would want to become one with them? They have their own claim, their own plans - where lies the Free Choice? Or how can an uneducated Lumad practice Choice Freely when he doesn't understand all the choices available?

6)Why was there a massive, emotional and warlike reaction from the rebels upon the TRO for the MOA-AD? Were they promised a specific deadline? I just question the genuineness of their desire to achieve peace in the land they are so keen to be recognised as their own, when they choose to take up arms and kill so many innocent people. There is just no JUSTICE in that for me.

I have to end this because I promised myself I'll only take a short break from doing my reports for GX and preparations for Debrief. And I shall end with my reflections right after the talks this morning, which I wrote down on my paper.

There can be no lasting peace if people involved do not leave their personal agenda behind... If  you seek peace you must be able to forget your personal needs and wants every now and then.  If you don't go beyond political claims; if you are not willing to compromise; if you don't desire development and change; if you don't know how to genuinely care about other people's concerns and needs; and if you don't care about losing innocent lives - you actually do not want peace. You just seek power and recognition, that's the truth - do not even hide it in the guise of peace, rehabilitation and reconciliation, it's just not that and no one will really believe you. I won't.

Aid to Recovery of Lanao

While my GX teammates and I are here in CDO, we are  working on helping recovery efforts in Iligan, Kolambugan, Linamon, Maigo and other parts of Lanao del Norte. We are trying to link with schools and other NGOs, and will also link with Phil. National Red Cross. But we are still finalising things.

I got this from Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, for those who already want to send in their help but don't know how. We don't know if they, SLB, still needs more logistical help coz they seem organised but we'll link with XU.

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Dear Friends in Christ,

 

Peace.

 

By now we are certain that you have heard of the ongoing conflict in Mindanao. Weeks earlier, what we thought to have been a solid path to peace has now become a spark that will surely re-open past wounds and hatred. A series of disturbing and tragic events unfold in Mindanao as a result of the amalgamated issues surrounding the stalled GRP-MILF MOA on Ancestral Domain.

 

The past week has seen the worst armed conflict in years as civilians have become the primary target of lawless groups. Sporadic fighting has been reported in Mindanao and sadly, the worst hit are the provinces of central and north-western Mindanao. As per reports that we have received today, August 20 (Wednesday), there are about 6,684 families in 18 evacuation centers from the province of Lanao del norte and Iligan City. The number continues to increase as civilians flee their homes to avoid being caught in the crossfire of the government forces and MILF troops.

 

As blame is being tossed around following the attacks by alleged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters on villages in Lanao del Norte and Sarrangani, one sad fact remains – violence and hatred continue to take their toll on the lives of innocent civilians, Muslims, Lumads and Christians alike.

 

The Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, together with the Dioceses of Iligan and Marawi, has called for aid especially for the towns in Lanao that have been attacked and burned. 

 

In this light, we are appealing for any financial aid that you can extend to our brothers and sisters in Mindanao who are caught in this strife. They are in dire need of medicines, water and food supplies.

 

The funds received will be sent to the affected areas through the partnership of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, under the leadership of Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, and the Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan).

 

Let us all be one with our brothers and sisters in Mindanao in their quest for genuine peace and development.

 

Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

SCHOLASTIC ISMAEL JOSE III V. CHAN-GONZAGA, SJ

Executive Director

Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan

 

 

*DONATION MECHANISM*

=========================

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Contact Information:

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An Evacuee, I am

By 1145AM, as soon as we reached Bulua of Cagayan de Oro City, I considered myself and the rest of our GX Team (71) as evacuees. And although I do not know exactly yet how I'm feeling, I do know it doesn't feel very nice and very peaceful.

Everything is still so surreal and everything seemed so fast.
Order of Events:
*From the bombings yesterday afternoon, when my host brother asked for my whereabouts and how Jologs to admit I was just coming out of a cinema watching A Very Special Love. (it must be noted though that John Lloyd is so handsome in that film, I am now a fan)
* To getting home as quickly as I can and hearing news on the radio with my host family. Then it rained, proper and strong rain.
* To welcoming 5 of other teammates in our host home
* To just taking things easy and just watching Bourne Ultimatum with them
* Up to the Iligan City wide Blackout, which made me think "Last year's team only had threats and they were pulled out, we've had bombings, we will definitely be pulled out"
* Had a light sleep as I could hear my British PS get up every 10 minutes, clearly worried and filled with anxiety.
* Waking up at around 6AM and instructed by British PS to get up and pack a week's worth of clothes as we are departing for Cagayan.
* Getting a call from Jay to accompany Victoria in collecting other teammates.
* Saying a quick goodbye to my Host Family, whom I don't know if I'll ever see again.

I've been in a similar situation when the pier was bombed 10 minutes after JVP Batch23's arrival in Davao City. But that was my home and there was nowhere to "evacuate." It's a different case this time around, as we are all not from Iligan. And it wasn't just an isolated bombing of one place - there were series of bombings and exchange of gunfire between the rebels and the military in the nearby town.

If there's a prevailing sadness, and worry, in me, it's for the people in my area/exact community in Robocon, Linamon, Lanao del Norte. They are, once again, caught in the middle of the crossfire. And we thought in our interviews and visits to them, that after the 2000 major armed conflict - they are finally healed and ready to start thinking about sustainable livelihood plans. That was our case study, we had concrete recommendations for them because they can finally stand up and think about the future. But with everything that is happening, they are back to square one.  For now, all I can hope for is that they all got down safely in the evacuation centers down in the valley.

I am an Evacuee; a helpless individual amidst a major peace crisis. I wish we had the option to stay and help. But that's not the protocol and that would kill my family. Also, I am not even close to what the evacuees we left behind in Iligan are going through now (Lanao del Norte) -  they, thousands of families who have been displaced; lost their homes, their livelihood, for a few even lost their loved ones. I, we are really safe and calm here in Cagayan. All we can do is think of those we left behind in Iligan - our host homes, our volunteer placements, our communities, our friends. And I guess that's what kills us, that we are not able to do anything else for them.

The Sunset was so "Beautiful" today - it was one for the postcards. Bright orange with a touch of pink and red and yellow. It was picture perfect, if my camera was with me. But if I follow the Lumad interpretation of the sunset, it was "Ugly, Dangerous and Scary." To them, the colors signify"War and Hunger" to come. I am with them in that interpretation, it has come.

Prayers for everyone caught in the middle of all this conflict here in Mindanao.