Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manila (Fides Service) - Explorative talks between the Philippines government and Muslim separatist rebels in the south scheduled for 16 February in Malaysia, have been postponed “for administrative reasons”, according to General Rodolfo Garcia, head of the Commission for Co-ordinating the Cessation of Hostilities which stipulated and oversees the cease fire agreement on both sides. This latest postponement (talks were promised in July 2003) is not a good sign although the sides say hopes for peace are not affected.
Fides spoke with Father Eliseo Mercado, head of the Justice and Peace department of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the Philippines who teaches at Notre Dame University in Cotabato (Mindanao, southern Philippines) and is a member of the Commission charged with negotiating between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (MILF).
“Peace talks will not be resumed unless they solve the question of Buliok, former MILF stronghold in Maguindanao, recently occupied by the regular army. The rebels say the army must withdraw and the government must withdraw charges made against. MILF members for explosions last year. Peace talks depend on this. In my opinion explorative talks should focus on concrete matters to identify and remove obstacles on the path to peace. I would like to see, as in the past, two sub-commissions one to tackle political questions (constitutional reforms, self rule, development projects, etc); the other on short term matters such as the question of Buliok etc”.
Padre Mercado is an expert on the conflict in Mindanao and he is familiar with Muslims who live in this area. He says the most urgent problems to be solved are government and self-rule; power sharing; representation at the regional and national levels; administration of justice; laws on culture and religions; culture and education; jurisdiction of the territory. “We must build a relationship of reciprocal trust as a basis for negotiations and obtain popular support for the peace process extending it to social questions of reconciliation, rebuilding and resettling” he says.
According to Father Mercado “NGOs must be part of the mosaic of intervention and not act alone. They are important because they are the voice of the ordinary people and promote initiatives from grass root level in Mindanao, but they should co-ordinate with the peace process ”.
“In the present electoral campaign, the question of peace in Mindanao is exploited by political leaders for their own interests, to gain votes, rather than for the good of the people on Mindanao. Federalism proposed by Senator Pimentel and by Nur Misuari (former leader of the Moro National Liberation Front) is a sort of self rule and a form of devolution: but is this really the intention and will it satisfy the people of Mindanao?” Father Mercado concludes.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/2/2004 lines 52 words 536)
