In the Honeymoon Phase both (then) newly elected-President Aquino and the MILF could not help but trip over themselves as they gushed sweet nothings,promising a full scale resumption of the GHP-MILF Peace Process.Of course both sides saw no reason to jump back onto that bicycle built for two just then and instead vowed to get down to the task at hand immediately after Ramadan,a month long Muslim"holiday."Well Ramadan has come and gone.After that breather both sides yawned,stretched and finally noticed that it was rather close to the Haj,the time of year when most Muslims who are able,make a pilgrimage to the al Hajaz region of Saudi Arabia.Then,afterwards,came Islamic New Year...besides,the Philippine Xmas Season officially begins on December 16...so let's just hold the darn thing in early 2011.
Of course before both sides can begin to talk to each other,they need people to do the"talking."While the Philipine Government began empanelling its representatives in early July,just about 2 weeks after President Aquino was inagurated.On the flip side,the MILF did what it does best,it put a finger in each ear and tried to find an extra hand so that they could point a finger at someone else (really doesn't matter WHO,anyone will do in a pinch). Finally,as the nation waited with baited breath (hey,it COULD happen) the MILF finally deigned to reveal the names on their re-constituted Peace Panel:
Mohagher Iqbal, Chairman.
Datu Michael O.Mastura
Maulana"Bobby"Alonto
Datu Antonio Kinoc
Abdullah Camilan
Professor Abhoud Sweed (Syed) Linga.
No suprises there, indeed not even any new names since 2 of the 3 new people (Kinoc and Camilan) were long involved on the Technical end of the Process.The 3rd,Lingga,is a flunky who is moderately well known to observers for his involvement in very minor MILF entities.I will go into great depth when I devote an entire post to the MILF Panel.
The next day,September 14, 2010,OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process) Secretary Teresita Q.Deles announced that President Aquino had approved the blueprint for the latest Round of the GHP-MILF Peace Process,without elaborating as to what said blueprint will consist of.The decision came after Aquino met with Malaysian Foreign Minister,Dato Sri Hanifa HJ Aman.Ms.Deles made her remarks during a short speech at the Turn Over Ceremony for MinDA (Mindanao Development Authority).She also announced that the 2 sides plan to hold an informal get together sometime before December so as to iron out any large wrinkles ahead of formal resumption.When asked why it might take additional time before said resumption,in light of both sides having repeatedly vowed to implement resumption just after the end of Ramadan,Deles dropped the ball and said that they are now awaiting word from Malaysia,which as Facilitator of the Peace Process has the responsibility to set the date.
Speaking of MinDA,longtime Chairman Jesus Dureza,who concurrently served as Deles' predecessor as the last Secretary of OPAPP under the Arroyo Administration,handed over control of MinDA to old hand Luwalhati Antonino.Ms.Antonino,a native of Upi,Maguindanao Province (though in her day it was still a part of N.Cotabato Province) made her mark as one of the infamous"Tres Marias" (3 Marias).As the Congresswoman representing South Cotabato Province from 1992 to 2001,Ms.Antonino was an active opponent of the MILF (as well as the MNLF,as well as most anything Muslim).As the so called"Final Agreement" (aka "Jakarta Accorf of 1996") between the Philippine Government and the MNLF began shaping up in 1995 she joined together with 2 other female politicians who vehemently opposed any kind of settlement with Filipino-Muslims at the expence of non-Muslim Filipinos,Daisy Fuentes and the legendary,late Maria Clara Lobregat.
Along with her 2 contemporaries,Ms.Fuentes and the late Ms.Lobregat (mother of Mayor Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga City and at the time Mayor herself) Ms.Antonino did all that she could possibly do to mitigate the effects of Jakarta 96 (once the Agreement itself became inevitable). Though generally known as the "Tres Marias," the MILF (and most other Filipino-Muslims) referred to the trio as the,"Black Marias."It only took a few days for Secretary Antonino to run afoul of the MILF once again.The issue that caused the consternation? Ms.Antonino hand the gall to tell the media that the MILF's BADF (Bangsamoro Development Assistance Fund) was a product of the GPH-MILF Peace Process.That statement caused Chairman of the then newly re-constituted MILF Peace Panel Secretariat,Jun Mantawil to angrily point out that while the MILF's BDA (Bangsamoro Development Agency) WAS such a development,the BDAF was NOT. The BDA was created out of the (GPH-MILF) Tripoli 2001 Agreement (June 22, 2001) with the mandate to "determine, lead, and manage" relief,rehabilitation and development projects within the targeted area.On the other hand,the BDAF was created by virtue of Executive Order #872, by former-President Arroyo (March 16, 2010) as an implementation mechanism for the afore mentioned economic reforms that were to have been realised by Jakarta 96.Ergo the BDAF is MNLF-centric where as the BDA is MILF-centric.
Septmber 27,2010 saw the MILF jump into the fray surrounding the proposed"Pulangi V"hydro-electric project in Bukidnon Province.The"El Nino"-related drought that effected Mindanao in the Summer of 2010 severely limited the island's hydro-electric output.With 55% of Mindanao deriving its electricity from hydro-electricty,droughts can be catastrophic.How much more so when that 55% of the island relies on 2 plants?The 2 plants,Agus in Lanao del Sur and Pulangi in Bukidnon are in dire straits.For the sake of brevity I will desist from going into great detail, sufficient to say that even in the best of times these 2 plants are struggling.
There is,without an iota of doubt,an extremely pressing need for viable,sustainable energy sources.However,the proposed"Pulangi V"project would utilise a dam on the Upper Cotabato Basin that would flood roughly 32,000 hectares of land that composed 80% of a single CAD (Certificate of Ancestral Domain,a claim by a tribe on its historical, ancestral lands).Among these flooded lands would be the holiest shrine of most Manobo Tribes,a site also holy to other tribes as well.I plan to do an entry on the Pulangi Project as well as its dire ramifications in an entry on"Development Aggression."
With a new president comes a new Peace Panel and THIS Panel's Chairperson,Mario Victor"Marvic"Leonen naturally wants to prove himself capable.How does Mr.Leonen try to do this?He has taken aim at long time Facilitating Nation,the nation of Malaysia,by denigrating its long time representative,Datuk Othman bin 'Abd Razak.On November 16, 2010 the Philippines formally requested that Datuk Razak ("Datuk" is the Malay equivalent of the Southern Philippine title "Datu"),be replaced claiming that Razak had long exhibited a bias against the Philippines.The MILF Central Committee then passed a Resolution in which,aside from lauding Razak,asked Malaysia not to acede to GRP's demands.
Said Resolution was then concurred by the Chairman of the MILF,al Haj Murad Ebrahim.Leonen continued his personal crusade on a Manila radio station during an interview on November 20 where he said that aside from Othman's extreme bias against the Philippine Government he also has been more than a bit keen on taking credit for past GHP-MILF Agreements which contravenes the modus operandi of an effective Facilitator.More over says Leonen,an objective Facilitator would resign post haste upon learning that 1 or both parties he was facilitating had lost all confidence in him.Razak's reluctance to do so is proof positive of his lack of objectivity.
As this minor soap opera unfolded another avoidable snafu was taking place.Since mid-September the MILF has been up in arms about the IMT Programme.IMTs, or International Monitoring Teams,are a product of the 2002 phase of the GPH-MILF Peace Process.Currently with 39 people from 4 nations (Malaysia,which administers the programme overall has 20; Brunei,15;Libya,3 and Japan has a single representative) the programme functions as a Ceasefire Security Mechanism, to minimise the number of armed engagements between the MILF's armed wing,the BIAF (Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces) and the APF (Armed Forces of the Philippines).
Currently in its 5th deployment,the IMT's mandate is set to expire on February 28, 2011 despite the deployment having began on December 09, 2009 (though this disparity between"Mandate"and"Deployment"has led to controversy and confusion).Because Team deployments last only 12 months the nations involved had been set to withdraw their personnel on December 08, 2010.When the Philippine Government shrugged off its inertia and began to join the MILF in its request for an extension until at least February 28,the official termination date,the MILF suddenly lost interest and then took the opposite stance.The Philippine Government transmitted this request formally on Deceber 01 via a Note Verbale to the diplomatic missions of each of the 4 IMT nations.Finally the MILF"reluctantly agreed"to the same request,an extension until the official termination date via formal letters,from Chairman of the MILF Peace Panel,Mohagher Iqbal on December 03.
The MILF has been expressing concerns over the stated,and even more so,the unstated intentions of the UNWFP (UN World Food Programme) with regard to Ligusuan Marsh.On December 10,2010 the WFP (as it is known in shorthand) Deputy Director for the Philippines,Asaka Nyangara visited a WFP funded tree nursery in the town of Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao Province.The nursery which is equipped to raise 100,000 seedlings is primed to take part in a huge rehabilitation of Ligusuan Marsh.The wetlands span the provinces of North Cotabato,Maguindanao,Sultan Kudarat and Lanao del Sur Provinces and covers a total of 288,000 hectares.The MILF has been observing all the to do and rather quietly noting that the WFP whose primary mission is to provide food staples in extreme locations such as the conflict affected areas of Mindanao is now aiming to do a massive rehabilitation of an ecosystem.This ecosysten just happens to sit atop what some feel may be massive reserves of natural gas and oil.
On December 11,Secretary of the MILF's Central Committee Muhammad Ameen publicly asked why the WFP's envisioned rehab of the marsh was needed on such a grand scale?He also cautioned the UN to coordinate all activities within MILF AOR with the MILF itself.It was such lack of coordination that caused the 2003 GPH-MILF War (aka "Buliok Complex War") in and around that same marsh.
Since MILF founder Salamat Hashim died from natural causes in 2003 the organisation has been Chaired by al Haj Murad Ebrahim.Though Hashim was never one for the limelight he was a rock star compared to his successor,al Haj Murad. Ergo it is hard to discern fact from rumour with regard to reports that Murad is lying in a hospital bed in Malaysia's Sabah State.What is known for sure is that the reclusive leader had enjoyed an all expence paid junket to attend a conference sponsored by a Swiss NGO devoted to fair governance and independent judiciaries being held in Geneva,Switzerland from September 23 to September 28.Murad then travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Haj Pilgrimage (once again).It is believed, according to
IS-AFP (Military Intelligence), that he then travelled to Malaysia, on MILF business.While in Malaysia Murad is said to have made his way from Kuala Lampur to Sabah,which sits on the island of Borneo.It was in Sabah reports say that Murad suffered a massive stroke that as of December 03 has kept him confined to a hospital bed with half of his body paralysed.0f course the MILF is denying that its erstwhile leader is even ill but refuses to disclose his whereabouts,much less what has happened to him since al Haj (not Murad per se,but the Islamic Pilgrimage itself) ended roughly 2 months ago and Murad hasn't ben seen since. If the Intelligence Reports are accurate it would have catastrophic results for the GPH-MILF Peace Process.One should remember that founder Hashim Salamat died in the middle of July,2003 and his death was only publicly revealed by the MILF on August 06 of that year.In the 3 week interval between the 2 dates the MILF was promising that Salamat would be attending the upcoming round of Talks in Malaysia.
On October 04, 2010,an all female NGO based in Aleosan,North Cotabato Province joined the afore mentioned IMT via the entity's CPC (Civil Protection Component).Led by 2 ex-nuns and calling itself the"Female Peace Corps,"it describes itself as"totally committed" to helping maintain the current Ceasefire."The 2 "ex-nuns,"Analiza Ugay formerly a Carmelite sister,and Adel Nayal,a sister in the Oblates of Notre Dame,remain committed while understanding that they may not get very much time to help given the issues related to the expiration of the IMT mandate.The CPC was an innovation of the post-2008 War meetings and was handed a mandate that asked constituent organisations to"provide a functional system and effective mechanisms for monitoring,verifying and reporting" on implementation and maintenance of the Ceasefire and pursuant requisites."In other words,very little work relating to civilians and a whole lot of work with combatants.Oh well,at least it was a great idea,right?
With the rapid pace of modern life I for one,always take comfort in life's constants.One case in point is the constant hypocrisy of the MILF.Here is an organisation that seriously demotes lifelong members who have contravened Rule#1,"No Philippine politics."That in itself might actually be understandable,and in the case of longtime MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu having gotten suspended for 6 months over doing just that,even welcomed... but then we see the MILF constantly engaging politicians and even actively campaigning for politicians that THEY feel will further the MIlF agenda.Supporting candidates is only the converse of denigration of candidates (denigration is something that the MILF has mastered).If one disdains politicking then one disdains ALL politicking.
Towards this end, Secretary of the Central Committee,Muhammad Ameen and Vice Chairman for Political Affairs,Ghazali Jafaar signed off on a memorandum distributed to all BIAF unit commanders with regard to the (then) upcoming synchronised Barangay and SK (Provincial Board) Elections.Dated October 01,2010,the memo said in no uncertain terms that there was to be absolutely no interaction with the election OR its candidates.It went so far as to prohibit even letting a candidate use one's vehicle.The memo went on to describe the Philippine democratic process, and Liberal Democracy in general in less than glowing terms:"The so-called Democratic process of choosing leaders is not only divisive, acrimonious and creates anomosity and intrigues,but it also failed miserably to produce the best qualified people to run their affairs [sic],and the consequence is a corrupt and strife torn society."
The same day that the afore mentioned memorandum was distributed the MILF once again warned the AFP about uncoordinated movements within MILF AOR.This has been a hot issue since July,2007 when 14 AFP Marines were mowed down in an ambush by the MILF 114 Base Commamd on Basilan Island.At the time the AFP had been moving heavily and frequently as it searched high and low for the kidnapped Irish priest, Father Michael Sinott.The elderly Columban Missionary had been abducted from the Columban compound in Pagadian City,across the strait from Basilan Island.The killing of those 14 Marines gained even more notariety when it was discovered that 10 of the Marines were decapitated after being shot to death.Of course,in order to preserve the mostly non-existent Ceasefire the government played ball when the MILF insisted that although the MILF DID mow those Marines down,somehow Abu Sayyaf guerillas had crept into the Kill Zone before the smoke cleared and sawed off 10 heads.Furthermore,the accepted narrative went,it was the Marines' fault for moving within an MILF/BIAF bailiwick without prior notification and
co-ordination (actually THAT issue is valid since the AFP is signatory to an Agreement in which they vow to notify and co-ordinate its movements in such areas).
In the end Fr.Sinott had never even been brought to Basilan.He had been taken by 113 Base Command on the Lanao del Norte/Zamboanga Peninsula Border,but that is another sordid tale.
The MILF concerns this time revolved around AFP Riverine Exercises in and around the rivers and mangroves of Kabuntulan,Maguindanao Province.Trying out those new Australian Air Boats (that were brilliantly offloaded in Polloc, Maguindanao (the ARMM Port...in BROAD DAYLIGHT) ended up having caused a coventional patrol craft to capsize off shore spilling its 4 man AFP crew.Luckily all 4 were rescued but an M60 (machinegun) was among the valuable gear lost.The MILF is correct to note that Special Forces in maneuver could very easily ignite a malestrom IF their presence and intent were never telegraphed to the MILF).
The next day, October 02,2010 in Barangay Nupo,Upi,Maguindanao Province the MILF dispatched a small delegation to the"Second Timfada Lumad"(Second Lumad Conference) sponsored by the local NGO,"TJG"(Timuay Justice and Governance). "Lumad" is the Cebuano (Bisaya) word that generically describes all Mindanowan (Mindanaon) animist tribes except Negritos.It is the local equivalent of the generic Tagalog word,"Igarot,"that is used to desribe Animists (except Negritos) on Luzon.This"Congress"only focuses on the Teduray,Lambangian and Dulangan Manobo Tribes,the 3 Animist tribes of Maguindanao Province.Lumad and Muslims have sometimes had an uneasy co-existence but more often than not muted animosity has exploded into outright violence (despite the propaganda of Muslim-Filipinos and their apologists).Indeed,it was the Teduray Tribe,1 of the 3 sponsoring this event,who initiated the Ilaga-Muslim War of the late 1960s/early 1970s but that deserves an entry all its own).
Much has been made about the Muslim-Filipino disregard for Lumads and the right of Lumads to control their own land.The MILF has been belatedly trying to rectify this huge public relations nightmare,ergo an MILF delegation at a minor Lumad gathering at a municipal gym,albeit with as about a minor a personage as one could find in the MILF,but at least they came...The "minor personage"?The MILF delegation was led by a former member of the MILF Peace Panel's TWG (Technical Working Group),Amor B.Pendaliday.
Mr.Pendaliday read a lengthly speech that he said had been authored by Chairman of the MILF Peace Panel Mohagher Iqbal (maybe he held the pen in his mouth),in which the main focus was what Pendaliday/Iqbal called,"4 Point Policy,"which I will resist describing for the sake of brevity (though I might elaborate upon it in a future entry).
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