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.