The 22nd Round of Exploratory Talks between the Government (GPH) and the MILF was brimming with expectation as Talks began on Monday, August 22nd, 2011. At the beginning of the 20th Round on February 9th, 2011 the MILF had handed its GPH counterparts a Revised Draft of its Comprehensive Compact, a tongue twister of a title when they could have simply labeled it, "Blueprint for Peace." A 26 page document that focused on 11 salient points, it was given to the GPH Peace Panel with the understanding that the Government would reciprocate with its own Draft Comprehensive Compact to be given to the MILF Peace Panel during the 21st Round of Exploratory Talks, to take place on March 29th and 30th.
On March 15th the 21st Round was scrubbed. Though this took place at the behest of the Philippine Government the explanation offered to the public was that the cancellation resulted from a request by the Malaysian Facilitator of the Peace Process, Dato Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed [sic]. Why? The verbatim explanation, "He had other, more pressing matters to attend to." Suuuure. Most realised that it was because the GPH Peace Panel needed time to formulate an apt response to the points raised in the MILF's Revised Draft without boxing themselves into a corner. Besides, the 21st Round was quickly re-scheduled for April 27th and 28th, there wouldn't be long to wait.
When the 21st Round transpired however the GPH Peace Panel did nothing but tread water. It begged off producing its long awaited Draft, vowing to turn it over during the 22nd Round, scheduled to take place on June 27th and 28th. In the meantime they wasted two valuable days of face time reviewing certain turns of phrase contained within the MILF document and tackled a couple of very simple side table issues.
Then, in late June the GPH Peace Panel notified its MILF counterpart that it still wasn't ready to submit its Draft but
rather then simply scrubbing the June Meeting, they would be amenable to an Executive Session, if the MILF was in agreement. The Executive Session took place and the 22nd Round was re-scheduled for August 2nd and 3rd. At the end of July the GPH Peace Panel once again informed its MILF counterpart that it would be unable to submit its Draft but offered a magnanimous gesture to appease a now livid MILF Central Committee; on August 4th President Aquino held a secret face to face meeting with MILF Chairman al Haj Murad Ebrahim in a suburban Tokyo hotel. In a nation obsessed with "face" the meeting in Japan was the ultimate face saving gesture. Where as the MILF had been just about to trash the Peace Process over GPH inaction it now was more than agreeable to yet another re-scheduling. The 22nd Round was then set for August 22nd, 23rd, and 24th.
The 22nd Round opened on August 22nd with an Executive Session in the Sri Bandahara Conference Room, in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia's Chulan Royale Hotel at 940AM. Both Panel Chairmen, Mario Victor "Marvic" Leonen for the GPH and his counterpart for the MILF, Mohagher Iqbal along with one Panelist each:
1) Professor Miriam Coronel Ferrer for the GPH
2) Datu Michael O.Mastura for the MILF
and Malaysian Facilitator Dato Ab Ghafar Tegku Mohamed spent exactly an hour as Chairman Leonen tried to soften the blow and salvage at least some of the 14 year GPH-MILF Peace Process. When they all emerged at exactly 1040AM on the dot not one face among them was smiling. Surely an inauspcious beginning to what was to be a pivotal Round in this long, drawn out process.
At 1045AM all participants took their places in the Executive Board Room for the Formal Opening and like the previous Round, it was held behind closed doors. Emerging for a 15 minute breather at 12PM all participants then continued uninterrupted from 1215PM until the end of the First Day Session at 140PM. In deference to both the MILF Peace Panel and their Malaysian Hosts the 3 Days were scheduled as Half Days to end by 2PM. In the midst of the month long Islamic holiday of Ramadan where Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, proceedings had to take circumstances into account.
After Opening Remarks by both Chairmen as well as by Facilitator Mohamed, GPH Chairman Leonen then handed over the GPH Draft Comprehensive Compact to MILF Chairman Iqbal. Patterned after the MILF Revised Draft submitted to Leonen on February 9th, it focused on 11 salient points. Leonen though creatively described it as a "Three for One Deal," with the "three" aspects being:
I) Socio-Economic Improvement
II) Inclusion and Respect for the Bangsamoro narrative
III) A Political Settlement.
I will condense each of the 11 points as following:
GPH Revised Comprehensive Compact
I) In partnership with the MILF the GPH seeks a permanent and just solution that will focus on sustainable improvements in all facets. Unlike past Administrations the Aquino Government is sincere and ready to prove it by adressing relevant issues.
II) The solution will be based upon a real partnership with the MILF and it may in fact lead to legal reforms.
III) It is a comprehensive solution that seeks to meet the needs of all three of the Mindanowan demographics:
A) Muslims
B) Lumad (Animist Hill Tribes)
C) Christians
The solution is cognisant of the socio-economic disparities that exist between Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines as well as the role played by shifts in demography.
IV) The solution is cognisant of the short term realities and limitations imposed by President Aquino's term in office expiring in 2016 and so focuses on those issues with the best chance of rectification within that limited period. At the same time the solution offers urgent help to those who need it the most, the victims of "colonial oppression, post-colonial neglect, misguided leaders and past abuses of some national leaders." It also sets the stage for longer term solutions.
V) The solution aims for the best outcome in the shortest amount of time.
VI) The solution is cognisant of the limitations in Executive power but also aims to construct a platform for continued dialog and if and when it becomes necessary, judicial, legal, and even Constitutional Reforms.
VII) The solution is cognisant of Bangsamoro identity and history. It doesn't aim to provide a simple solution for a highly complex problem. Although the ARMM, or Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao failed in the past, it was more than likely because of inept national leadership and corrupt regional leadership as opposed to inherent flaws in the ARMM framework. The solution will foster genuine autonomy.
VIII) The solution will provide an avenue for continued "debate" with regards to revenue sharing as well as utilising revenue sharing to further enhance regional autonomy while also focusing on the need to foster sustainability of natural resources.
IX) The solution begins the process of disarmament, de-mobilisation and reintegration of MILF and BIAF, or Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (military wing of the MILF) members.
X) The solution will require stakeholder commitment to suceed.
XI) The solution will lead to a re-writing of the Filipino narrative to include the Bangsamoro narrative and identity as being part and parcel of the Philippines.
Now, aside from being extremely vague on all pertinent issues it fails to mention anything about the MILF's "State:Sub-State Assymetrical Government" mantra. The MILF Peace Panel took extreme umbrage at this and made no bones about telling GPH Chairman Leonen that they would unanimously recommend rejection of the GPH Draft when conferring with the MILF's Central Committee. Leonen was not a happy camper but by Tuesday night, August 23rd his frown had morphed into a crooked smile and he was selling it as a positive development because the MILF Peace Panel hadn't simply thrown the document back at him after reading it.
To recall the 11 salient points included in the MILF document were, again condensed:
I) After exhausting all avenues within the Democratic process in trying to solve the Bangsamoro's ethno-nationalist conflict the MILF looks toward other similar situations on the world stage, particularly Northern Ireland and South Sudan and finds very good examples of just solutions.
II) The Draft seeks to correct the domineering and exploitative relationship between the Philippine Government and the Bangsamoro people.
III) The Draft merely offers the Bangsamoro a mere share of respect that is already owed, a people whose homeland, Mindanao, has never been conquered. Even into the American Colonial Era the Bangsamoro homeland had been considered as a separate entity and not a part of the Philippines per se.
IV) The Draft offers the Bangsamoro a mere 7 to 9% of an island that had been 98% theirs just a century before.
V) The Draft offers a balance between state sovreignity and the people's right to self determination, something never before seen anywhere in the world.
VI) The Draft focuses on an Assymetrical State:Sub-State Relationship with clearly defined separation of powers between national and regional governments.
VII) The Draft recognises Bangsamoro identity without negating Philippine citizenship.
VIII) The Draft recognises the Bangsamoro struggle and desire to obtain regional autonomy while recognising the supremacy of the national govt.
IX) The Draft melds the Democracatic maxim that sovereignity lies within each person with the Islamic principle of "Shura," or "Consultation."
X) The Draft provides a complete modus operandi with which to segue from full implementation of the FPA, or Final Peace Agreement into disarmament, de-mobilisation, and re-integration of MILF and BIAF members under International supervision to safeguard Bangsamoro interests.
XI) Peace will benefit everyone, including Malaysia.
Not that the Government has been at all sincere in trying to reach an Agreement, because clearly it is impossible to believe they have after yesterday's meltdown, but IF the MILF/BIAF insist on fantasy there will never even be an inkling of a chance. Bangsamoro? As I have noted in other entries the term is a piece of fiction created by Filipino Muslim intellectuals of the late-1960s as an attempt to overcome the ethnic, tribal, and linguistic divides amongst the 13 Islamicised groups living in the Southern Philippines. You cannot invent an "ethnicity." The "Palestinians" are surely trying and look where it has gotten them. Without a genuine historical narrative the fantasy collapses.
Another figment is the claim, contained within the MILF Draft, Point IV, that at the start of the 20th Century the "Bangsamoro" controlled up to 98% of Mindanao. If one interpolates "Muslim" with "Bangsamoro" it still fails. It only works IF applied to Mindanao's island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi Tawi. On Mainland Mindanao Muslims never controlled more than Central Mindanao (Maguindanao and North Cotabato Provinces) and a large portion of Lanao. In fact, that "7 to 9%" is actually what they controlled 100 years ago and THAT was the maximum they have ever controlled.
It will be impossible to find peace until Filipino Muslims find truth. Have they always gotten a fair shake from Manila? Of course not. Yet, how does a group where 12 out of 13 tribes reject secular education expect to close the socio-economic gap? The other end of the equation is infrastructure and investment. How can they complain about a lack thereof when bombs are popping off every 4 or 5 days and even surveyors are kidnapped for ransom? Filipino Muslims need to accept a large part of the blame and stop always blaming others.
Tuesday's Session, August 23rd, began at 940AM and ended abruptly at 1140AM. At that point GPH Chairman Leonen stormed out of the Closed Door Session and brusquely commanded an underling to fetch all GPH staffers for an impromptu lunch meeting.
All that had transpired in those 2 hours was a quick discussion on the TORs, or Terms of Reference for the IMT, or International Monitoring Team's Humanitarian, Rehabilitation, and Development component. That component consists of two women, a Frenchwoman and a British subject deployed by the European Union. They have been in-country for four months already but working without clearly defined TORs. Then the Panels moved onto a very contentious subject, the Governments offering of tenders for Exploration Tenements on oil and gas drilling. A handful of tenders fall within the MILF AOR, or Area of Responsibility (as in "Area of Operation"). Between that and the lackluster document handed to MILF Chairman Iqbal the day before the subject was too much to bear and the MILF Panel lost their composure. Finally Chairman Iqbal bluntly told his counterpart, Chairman Leonen, that there was no point in continuing this Round under the current circumstances.
As Chairman Leonen et al departed the ICG, or International Contact Group, composed of representatives from four foreign governments:
1) Turkey (not present)
2) United Kingdom, Political Officer of the British Embassy in the Philippines, Chris Wright
3) Japan, Political Officer of the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines, Keiko Takakawa
4) Saudi Arabia (not present)
and four NGOs:
1) CHD, or Centre for Humanitarian Dialog, based in Geneva, Switzerland, represented by David Gorman
2) Concilliation Resources, based in London, England (not present)
3) Muhammadiyyah, a Jarkata-based organisation devoted to Islamic issues (not present)
4) The Asia Foundation. This favourite of the MILF began life as a CIA project and though it now claims to be entirely removed from the CIA it still serves as a conduit for American Intelligence, represented by Dr.Steven Rood
tried to placate the MILF Panel. GPH Chairman Leonen then held a de-briefing with his team in the hotel's Tai Ping Resturant, just down the hall from the Executive Conference Room. That was probably not an intended insult but in the end, eating while others have to fast isn't the height of decorum. As The GPH Panel enjoyed a sumptious lunch a member of the IVG shuttled between the conference room where the MILF Panel remained and the resturant trying to keep a 14 year long process from imploding. Pundits have hailed the ICG's utility after this last Rpund. Myself? They definitely deserve credit because at 2:20PM both Panels and the Facilitator returned to the table. Still, the mood remained extremely volatile with the MILF Panel telling their counterparts that they reject it out of hand. GPH Chairperson Leonen then lost his cool as well, screaming, "I reject your rejection" shortly before the two parties called it a day at 3:33PM. Later MILG Chairman Iqbal described the differences between the two Drafts as "heaven and earth."
A disaster from start to finish.
Showing posts with label Mario Victor"Marvic"Leonen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mario Victor"Marvic"Leonen. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
GPH-MILF Peace Process,Second Quarter of 2011,Part II: GPH Stakeholder Forums
In August of 2008,GPH,or the Government of the Philippines, came within a millimeter of signing a document that would have effectively served as an FPA, or Final Peace Agreement with the MILF. The document, known as the MoA-AD, or Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain, had been more or less secretly negotiated by the Chairmen of both Peace Panels, Mohagher Iqbal who still sits at the helm of the MILF Panel, and retired AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) Chief of Staff, Hermogenes "Gene" Esperon leading the GPH Panel. Literally hours before the unpublicised signing was to take place in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia a group of Mindanowan politicians led by then Vice Governor Emmanuel "Manny" Pinol of North Cotabato Province ran to the Supreme Court and filed for a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order).
Having been provided with a copy of the secret document by a source within the Arroyo Administration former Vice Governor Pinol was aghast at what he felt was a complete sell out by the President. The reasons why deserve their own entry but in the end the Supreme Court finally ruled that the Moa-AD was un-Constitutional. One of the main rationales offered by the Majority in their Opinion was the lack of disclosure by the Government, particularly to stakeholders (those personally effected by the document).
As the new Administration of President Aquino dove headfirst into the GPH-MILF Peace Process the President was extremely conscious of the many blunders made by his predecessor and so he instructed the re-constituted GPH Peace Panel to keep transparency near the top of the agenda. With that in mind present GPH Panel Chairman Mario Victor "Marvic" Leonen has held three rounds of Forums, or Consultations, averaging ten Forums per round while the Government makes it a point to tell whomever will listen that it has been doing this. However, it fails to disclose that one third of all Forums were nothing more than cups of coffee shared between Chairman Leonen and one or two city officials in key Mindanowan cities. For example, Forum #26 on Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 was a coffee klatch between Leonen and Mayor Celso Lobregat, local warlord of Zamboanga City, joined by Lobregat's self-effacing Vice Mayor. The three spent 45 minutes sitting around Lobregat's grand desk and then onto Forum #27 that same afternoon with 30 Muslim clerics from the Zamboanga Peninsula and the island province of Basilan.
The last Forum, #31, was suprising in that Chairman Leonen, Panelist Senen Bacani and Consultant to the GPH Peace Panel Hamid Barra actually travelled to Mindanao's most southern province (and of course the Philippine's as well) Tawi Tawi to hold court with LGU (Local Government Unit, meaning municipal and provincial governments) officials on June 10th. Usually the Panel ensconces itself in one area and has LGU executives brought to them, as was the case in the Sulu LGU Forum, Forum #28, on May 18th when the Forum was held at Zamboanga City's Lantaka Hotel. Surely it would be so much less expensive to billet six Government officials (including three Military Advisors) in Sulu than to have 22 officials from different islands in Sulu take commercial flights into Zamboana City and stay in individual rooms at the city's best hotel. Of course the Government has never had much common sense.
Each and every one of the Forums followed an absolutely predictable route. Chairman Leonen gave an opening speech, Panelist Bacani gave a power point presentation, followed by a Question and Answer Session. In reviewing transcripts from all 31 of the GPH Forums I have yet to find any new or thought provoking inquiries aside from ones I have noted in earlier GPH-MILF Peace Process entries. Valid questions such as the juxtaposition of the envisioned MILF FPA against the already signed MNLF FPA seems to be first and foremost on everybody's mind and well it should be. More to the point, the MNLF FPA still hasn't been fully implemented, how will its implementation correspond with the MILF FPA? Both entities are focused on the exact same geographical area.
Though hind sight is 20/20 vision, the Governmemt should have joined both Processes symbiotically. The endgames of the MILF and MNLF aren't that far apart. A simple requisite of having the two organisations co-operate on any settlement could have avoided many of these worrying issues. Naturally the Government wouldn't consider pushing the MILF and MNLF closer to one another. Factionalisation and division usually offer a solid advantage to an opponent. Yet, how does the Government expect to solve this conundrum?
The answer is the ARMM, or Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. By finally obtaining a delay in the heretofore scheduled August 8th, 2011 ARMM Election, President Aquino gets to appoint 50 odd OICs, or Officers in Charge, to govern the region in place of elected officials. Ideally these will include members of both the MNLF and the MILF. On June 22nd in Solo City, Indonesia the Indonesian Government facilitated a secret meeting between the MNLF and the Government vis a vis this ARMM scheme. The truly suprising facet of this meeting was that it included not only the MNLF-Misuari, the original MNLF with which the Government conducts its Peace Talks, but it ALSO included the MNLF-EC15, or MNLF-Executive Committee of 15, chaired by Cotabato City's Vice Mayor and KFR (Kidnap for Ransom) kingpin, Muslimin Sema. I would have enjoyed being a fly on the wall as Sema and Misuari talked face to face for the first time in nearly a decade. Sema being one of two men who led the putsch against Misuari that ended up sidelining him without an organisation for nearly two years. Both MNLF factions agreed to play ball in the Aquino ARMM scheme though I still haven't been able to find out which positions have been promised to the MNLF, let alone WHICH MNLF.
I will relegate additional discussion about the MNLF to my next GPH-MNLF Peace Process entry.
In terms of the MILF and the ARMM plan, I used a recent GPH-MILF Peace Process entry to discuss the coallescing factionalisation within the MILF Central Committee when I touched upon the three-way meeting between Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo "Roddy" Duterte, former North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel "Manny" Pinol and BIAF (Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces,military wing of the MILF) mouthpiece Eid Kabalu at Davao City's Marco Polo Hotel on June 13th. At the meeting, Kabalu, who had been deployed by a strong faction within the MILF Central Committee had pushed the envelope in trying to secure the top OIC slot in the ARMM, the Governor's seat. Though Kabalu didn't mention it during the 2.5 hour meeting he sees himself filling that position. This was the inference drawn by both Duterte and Pinol and was later confirmed by Kabalu himself after his resignation slash firing from the MILF/BIAF a week later over the meeting. With the election now delayed until May 13th, 2013 it will be very interesting to see just how creatively President Aquino stacks the 50 odd positions. Even more interesting will be the implosion within the MILF/BIAF, or merely an exacerbation of an already ongoing implosion that began in the Summer of 2010 with the resignation of the BIAF 105 Base Command's Kumander Ustadz Ameril Ombra Kato.
Not to be outdone by the GPH Forums, the MILF has been beating about the campaign trail as well. On June 11th the Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal was joined by Panelists Datu Michael O. Mastura and Maulana "Bobby" Marohombsar Alonto at MSU (Mindanao State University) at Iligan City, in Lanao del Norte Province. First the group met with non-Islamic NGOs,or as most Filipinos refer to them, Civil Society Organizations [sic]. Afterwards, in the afternoon, they moved to a different building on that same campus for a Forum with Iligan City LGU executives. This particular meeting was quite interesting for a number of reasons. Mayor Lawrence Cruz made himself conspicuously absent, refusing to meet with the MILF. Mayor Cruz was one of several Mindanowan politicos who joined then North Cotabato Provincial Vice Governor Manny Pinol in trashing the aforementioned MoA-AD in the Supreme Court.
One politician who DID show up, albeit against all odds, was Municipal Councilor Moises Dalisay Jr. Dalisay turned to Alonto and asked about the MoA-AD's Annex B. The concept of Ancestral Domain, in the context of the MoA-AD, refers to areas that would have been included within the MILF's BJE, or Bangsamoro Juridicial Entity which was the tongue twister of a name applied to the MILF-controlled territory that would have resulted from that failed document. The BJE had two separate lists of communities, known as Annex A and Annex B. Annex A were to be communities controlled by the MILF immediately after the signing of the MoA-AD. Annex B on the other hand referred to those communities that were to be given socio-economic incentives for a fixed number of years and then subjected to a plebescite which would denote inclusion OR exclusion from the BJE. Almost all the communities in Annex B were areas with small Muslim minorities but because of stratefical interests were desired for inclusion. Eight of those communities happened to be barangays within Iligan City. Ergo the comment, which was designed to put the MILF on the defensive. Before Alonto could open his mouth though, both Iqbal and Mastura angrily interjected and said that a plebescite will handle it.
What is most interesting about that exchange is that it tips the MILF's hand on its list of communities to be included in the evolved BJE, the so called "State:sub-State." I have to say, BJE is a lot easier on the tongue.
Dalisay was only one of five Councilors, nobody else showed up. Aside from Mayor Cruz, Congressman Varf Belmonte (Lone District of Iligan City) ALSO pointedly snubbed the invitation.
Mastura's interjection was also notable if only for its relative restraint. In one memorable Forum, held on March 23rd, 2011 at UP (University of the Philippines) Dilman, in Metro Manila's Quezon City, it took the obnoxious attorney slash ex-Congressman all of 90 seconds (literaly) to alienate is entire audience. The comment in question? "While I do not wish to speak here as an academic, because my audience is not the professional body of scholars [sic]..."He then continued in typical obnoxious fashion, that they should congratulate themselves for having had sense enough to invite him to speak. Maybe Mastura is Autistic, unable to emphathise emotionally, or maybe his anti-psychotic medications simply stopped working.I could mine that particular 11 page speech of his but it would probably be best left for an entry all its own. OK, OK, you convinced me, one more Mastura tidbit, or as I tend to call them, "Mastura-isms"..."What has caused the long delay in Process [sic]? The precociousness of political culture." I am sure he is eloquent enough when speaking in his native tongue, Maguindanowan (Maguindanaon) but his English? Hmmmmm...
Another MILF Forum was held on June 19th at Upi Agricultural School's Social Hall in the municipality of Upi,in Maguindanao Province, sponsored by a joint Teduray Lambangian Tribal organisation. The Teduray and Lambangian are two Lumad (Animist Hilltribes) Tribes native to Maguindanao Province and since Islamisation reached that area of Mindanao in the late-16th Century they have lived as subjugated peoples. Periodically subjected to terrible violent depredations that lasted well into the late-1990s they are now regarded by the MILF as a politically convenient demographic. Lumad in all areas targetted by the MILF/BIAF have been loudly clamouring to have their voices heard. Every tribe has opposed the MILF's political goals, partly because of historical animosity but more so because they believe that the MILF will gain control over their ancestral lands. The MILF has been trying to mitigate this opposition by portraying themselves as inclusive, for example, B'laan Tribesman, Datu Antonio Kinoc serves as an Alternate Panelist on the MILF Peace Panel.
The June 19th Forum was attended by roughly 400 tribal dignitaries as well as Upi officials and playing the race card, the MILF deployed Datu Kinoc to lead its presentation. This is actually the second Teduray-focused presentation in the Upi area within the last 12 months so that the purpose of THIS forum doesn't seem to be the Teduray and Lambangian themselves but rather other Lumad Tribes who will hopefully (in the minds of the MILF Central Committee) notice the effort. The get together was billed as a "Reunion" of Mamalu and Tabunway, in reference to area tribal lore. Mamalu and Tabunway were two brothers who were said to have lived in the Cotabato River Basin (corresponding to today's Maguindanao and North Cotabato Provinces) in the late-16th Century. With the arrival of Islam, at the hands of a half-Malay/half-Arab conqueror from the Sultanate of Johore on the Malay Peninsula, Tabunway accepted Islam while his brother Mamalu rejected it. The Teduray and Lambangian Tribes point to Mamalu as their progenitor (as do a variety of other Lumad Tribes) while the Maguindanowan (Maguindanao), Maranaw (Maranao),and Iranun Tribes all point to Tabunaway as theirs.The idea of course is that despite religious,cultural,and linguistic differences the tribes are brothers. I guess it makes sense IF brothers enslave and rape each other...
Having been provided with a copy of the secret document by a source within the Arroyo Administration former Vice Governor Pinol was aghast at what he felt was a complete sell out by the President. The reasons why deserve their own entry but in the end the Supreme Court finally ruled that the Moa-AD was un-Constitutional. One of the main rationales offered by the Majority in their Opinion was the lack of disclosure by the Government, particularly to stakeholders (those personally effected by the document).
As the new Administration of President Aquino dove headfirst into the GPH-MILF Peace Process the President was extremely conscious of the many blunders made by his predecessor and so he instructed the re-constituted GPH Peace Panel to keep transparency near the top of the agenda. With that in mind present GPH Panel Chairman Mario Victor "Marvic" Leonen has held three rounds of Forums, or Consultations, averaging ten Forums per round while the Government makes it a point to tell whomever will listen that it has been doing this. However, it fails to disclose that one third of all Forums were nothing more than cups of coffee shared between Chairman Leonen and one or two city officials in key Mindanowan cities. For example, Forum #26 on Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 was a coffee klatch between Leonen and Mayor Celso Lobregat, local warlord of Zamboanga City, joined by Lobregat's self-effacing Vice Mayor. The three spent 45 minutes sitting around Lobregat's grand desk and then onto Forum #27 that same afternoon with 30 Muslim clerics from the Zamboanga Peninsula and the island province of Basilan.
The last Forum, #31, was suprising in that Chairman Leonen, Panelist Senen Bacani and Consultant to the GPH Peace Panel Hamid Barra actually travelled to Mindanao's most southern province (and of course the Philippine's as well) Tawi Tawi to hold court with LGU (Local Government Unit, meaning municipal and provincial governments) officials on June 10th. Usually the Panel ensconces itself in one area and has LGU executives brought to them, as was the case in the Sulu LGU Forum, Forum #28, on May 18th when the Forum was held at Zamboanga City's Lantaka Hotel. Surely it would be so much less expensive to billet six Government officials (including three Military Advisors) in Sulu than to have 22 officials from different islands in Sulu take commercial flights into Zamboana City and stay in individual rooms at the city's best hotel. Of course the Government has never had much common sense.
Each and every one of the Forums followed an absolutely predictable route. Chairman Leonen gave an opening speech, Panelist Bacani gave a power point presentation, followed by a Question and Answer Session. In reviewing transcripts from all 31 of the GPH Forums I have yet to find any new or thought provoking inquiries aside from ones I have noted in earlier GPH-MILF Peace Process entries. Valid questions such as the juxtaposition of the envisioned MILF FPA against the already signed MNLF FPA seems to be first and foremost on everybody's mind and well it should be. More to the point, the MNLF FPA still hasn't been fully implemented, how will its implementation correspond with the MILF FPA? Both entities are focused on the exact same geographical area.
Though hind sight is 20/20 vision, the Governmemt should have joined both Processes symbiotically. The endgames of the MILF and MNLF aren't that far apart. A simple requisite of having the two organisations co-operate on any settlement could have avoided many of these worrying issues. Naturally the Government wouldn't consider pushing the MILF and MNLF closer to one another. Factionalisation and division usually offer a solid advantage to an opponent. Yet, how does the Government expect to solve this conundrum?
The answer is the ARMM, or Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. By finally obtaining a delay in the heretofore scheduled August 8th, 2011 ARMM Election, President Aquino gets to appoint 50 odd OICs, or Officers in Charge, to govern the region in place of elected officials. Ideally these will include members of both the MNLF and the MILF. On June 22nd in Solo City, Indonesia the Indonesian Government facilitated a secret meeting between the MNLF and the Government vis a vis this ARMM scheme. The truly suprising facet of this meeting was that it included not only the MNLF-Misuari, the original MNLF with which the Government conducts its Peace Talks, but it ALSO included the MNLF-EC15, or MNLF-Executive Committee of 15, chaired by Cotabato City's Vice Mayor and KFR (Kidnap for Ransom) kingpin, Muslimin Sema. I would have enjoyed being a fly on the wall as Sema and Misuari talked face to face for the first time in nearly a decade. Sema being one of two men who led the putsch against Misuari that ended up sidelining him without an organisation for nearly two years. Both MNLF factions agreed to play ball in the Aquino ARMM scheme though I still haven't been able to find out which positions have been promised to the MNLF, let alone WHICH MNLF.
I will relegate additional discussion about the MNLF to my next GPH-MNLF Peace Process entry.
In terms of the MILF and the ARMM plan, I used a recent GPH-MILF Peace Process entry to discuss the coallescing factionalisation within the MILF Central Committee when I touched upon the three-way meeting between Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo "Roddy" Duterte, former North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel "Manny" Pinol and BIAF (Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces,military wing of the MILF) mouthpiece Eid Kabalu at Davao City's Marco Polo Hotel on June 13th. At the meeting, Kabalu, who had been deployed by a strong faction within the MILF Central Committee had pushed the envelope in trying to secure the top OIC slot in the ARMM, the Governor's seat. Though Kabalu didn't mention it during the 2.5 hour meeting he sees himself filling that position. This was the inference drawn by both Duterte and Pinol and was later confirmed by Kabalu himself after his resignation slash firing from the MILF/BIAF a week later over the meeting. With the election now delayed until May 13th, 2013 it will be very interesting to see just how creatively President Aquino stacks the 50 odd positions. Even more interesting will be the implosion within the MILF/BIAF, or merely an exacerbation of an already ongoing implosion that began in the Summer of 2010 with the resignation of the BIAF 105 Base Command's Kumander Ustadz Ameril Ombra Kato.
Not to be outdone by the GPH Forums, the MILF has been beating about the campaign trail as well. On June 11th the Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal was joined by Panelists Datu Michael O. Mastura and Maulana "Bobby" Marohombsar Alonto at MSU (Mindanao State University) at Iligan City, in Lanao del Norte Province. First the group met with non-Islamic NGOs,or as most Filipinos refer to them, Civil Society Organizations [sic]. Afterwards, in the afternoon, they moved to a different building on that same campus for a Forum with Iligan City LGU executives. This particular meeting was quite interesting for a number of reasons. Mayor Lawrence Cruz made himself conspicuously absent, refusing to meet with the MILF. Mayor Cruz was one of several Mindanowan politicos who joined then North Cotabato Provincial Vice Governor Manny Pinol in trashing the aforementioned MoA-AD in the Supreme Court.
One politician who DID show up, albeit against all odds, was Municipal Councilor Moises Dalisay Jr. Dalisay turned to Alonto and asked about the MoA-AD's Annex B. The concept of Ancestral Domain, in the context of the MoA-AD, refers to areas that would have been included within the MILF's BJE, or Bangsamoro Juridicial Entity which was the tongue twister of a name applied to the MILF-controlled territory that would have resulted from that failed document. The BJE had two separate lists of communities, known as Annex A and Annex B. Annex A were to be communities controlled by the MILF immediately after the signing of the MoA-AD. Annex B on the other hand referred to those communities that were to be given socio-economic incentives for a fixed number of years and then subjected to a plebescite which would denote inclusion OR exclusion from the BJE. Almost all the communities in Annex B were areas with small Muslim minorities but because of stratefical interests were desired for inclusion. Eight of those communities happened to be barangays within Iligan City. Ergo the comment, which was designed to put the MILF on the defensive. Before Alonto could open his mouth though, both Iqbal and Mastura angrily interjected and said that a plebescite will handle it.
What is most interesting about that exchange is that it tips the MILF's hand on its list of communities to be included in the evolved BJE, the so called "State:sub-State." I have to say, BJE is a lot easier on the tongue.
Dalisay was only one of five Councilors, nobody else showed up. Aside from Mayor Cruz, Congressman Varf Belmonte (Lone District of Iligan City) ALSO pointedly snubbed the invitation.
Mastura's interjection was also notable if only for its relative restraint. In one memorable Forum, held on March 23rd, 2011 at UP (University of the Philippines) Dilman, in Metro Manila's Quezon City, it took the obnoxious attorney slash ex-Congressman all of 90 seconds (literaly) to alienate is entire audience. The comment in question? "While I do not wish to speak here as an academic, because my audience is not the professional body of scholars [sic]..."He then continued in typical obnoxious fashion, that they should congratulate themselves for having had sense enough to invite him to speak. Maybe Mastura is Autistic, unable to emphathise emotionally, or maybe his anti-psychotic medications simply stopped working.I could mine that particular 11 page speech of his but it would probably be best left for an entry all its own. OK, OK, you convinced me, one more Mastura tidbit, or as I tend to call them, "Mastura-isms"..."What has caused the long delay in Process [sic]? The precociousness of political culture." I am sure he is eloquent enough when speaking in his native tongue, Maguindanowan (Maguindanaon) but his English? Hmmmmm...
Another MILF Forum was held on June 19th at Upi Agricultural School's Social Hall in the municipality of Upi,in Maguindanao Province, sponsored by a joint Teduray Lambangian Tribal organisation. The Teduray and Lambangian are two Lumad (Animist Hilltribes) Tribes native to Maguindanao Province and since Islamisation reached that area of Mindanao in the late-16th Century they have lived as subjugated peoples. Periodically subjected to terrible violent depredations that lasted well into the late-1990s they are now regarded by the MILF as a politically convenient demographic. Lumad in all areas targetted by the MILF/BIAF have been loudly clamouring to have their voices heard. Every tribe has opposed the MILF's political goals, partly because of historical animosity but more so because they believe that the MILF will gain control over their ancestral lands. The MILF has been trying to mitigate this opposition by portraying themselves as inclusive, for example, B'laan Tribesman, Datu Antonio Kinoc serves as an Alternate Panelist on the MILF Peace Panel.
The June 19th Forum was attended by roughly 400 tribal dignitaries as well as Upi officials and playing the race card, the MILF deployed Datu Kinoc to lead its presentation. This is actually the second Teduray-focused presentation in the Upi area within the last 12 months so that the purpose of THIS forum doesn't seem to be the Teduray and Lambangian themselves but rather other Lumad Tribes who will hopefully (in the minds of the MILF Central Committee) notice the effort. The get together was billed as a "Reunion" of Mamalu and Tabunway, in reference to area tribal lore. Mamalu and Tabunway were two brothers who were said to have lived in the Cotabato River Basin (corresponding to today's Maguindanao and North Cotabato Provinces) in the late-16th Century. With the arrival of Islam, at the hands of a half-Malay/half-Arab conqueror from the Sultanate of Johore on the Malay Peninsula, Tabunway accepted Islam while his brother Mamalu rejected it. The Teduray and Lambangian Tribes point to Mamalu as their progenitor (as do a variety of other Lumad Tribes) while the Maguindanowan (Maguindanao), Maranaw (Maranao),and Iranun Tribes all point to Tabunaway as theirs.The idea of course is that despite religious,cultural,and linguistic differences the tribes are brothers. I guess it makes sense IF brothers enslave and rape each other...
Friday, November 26, 2010
GPH-MILF Peace Process,Third Quarter of 2010:The New GPH Peace Panel
With the changing of the guard in the last Presidential Election the GPH-MILF Peace Process was once again resuscitated.When Talks had ended in late 2009 (though officially they continued inching along until this past spring,2010) the Peace Process appeared to be like so many efforts of the preceding Administration,simply dead in the water.With impressive go to-edness newly inagurated President Aquino wasted no time in confronting 1 of the nation's most formidable obstacles in terms of peace and development.By July 15th,2010,roughly two weeks after assuming the mantle of government,the President named his Chairperson for the GPH Peace Panel,Professor Mario Victor"Marvic"F.Leonen,Dean of Law at the University of the Philippines.
Professor Leonen's field of expertise is International Law (personally I had hoped it would be Constituional Law simply for the volatile terrain it would produce during Talks).Thus far Leonen has tried to remain above the fray while not sacrificing his stated commitment to framing the process Constitutionally.Why all this talk of the Constitution you ask (if perhaps you had been on vacation in some unimaginable place not yet innundated with media hacks)?The answer,naturally,is that the Peace Process hit a brick wall on August 4th,2008 because of the hugely anticipated MoA-AD (Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain) was zapped with a Restraining Order by the Supreme Court (which subsequently found that the document in fact contravened the 1987 Constitution).While the preceeding was great news for those who love an Independant Judiciary (as well as the great many people who didn't wish to see the Republic dissected over manufactured ethno-nationalist fantasies),it led to 750,000 IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons,i.e."Refugees"),at least 1,100 dead and countless wounded and traumitised...and of course,that"floundering Peace Process"I just mentioned.
Joining Professor Leonen will be 4 Panel members whom the President began naming a month later,in August;
I) Senen C.Bacani,63,graduated Summa Cum Laude from Da Salle before gaining his graduate degree at the University of Hawaii where he studied as a scholar in the "East-West Scholarship Program."Becoming a corporate hack at Dole he spent most of the next 20 years abroad on company business.Like many of the nation's brightest and best he returned home post-Marcos to lend a hand in rebuilding the country.In 1991 he was appointed Secretary of Agriculture under President Corazon Aquino,the current President's late mother.Though he only held the post through 1992 his tenure was remarkable for it being the first time in modern history that the nation was able to become an exporter of rice instead of importing it.Likewise it marked the first time that the nation gained self sufficiency with corn as well.While Bacani can't take all the credit for those 2
two great accomplishments,his effort and know how certainly played a part.
Why would an agri-biz whiz be chosen to negotiate with an insurgent army?While working for Dole he had made the acquaintance of Datu Ibrahim"Toto"Paglas,a Maguindanaw (Maguidanoan) leader from the Maguindano/Sultan Kudarat Provincial border who also happened to be a nephew of the late Hashim Salamat,founder of the MILF/BIAF.Capaitalising on this relationship Bacani,with Datu Paglas as his partner,began lapping up hectare after hectare of arable land between the towns of Datu Paglas (it is the home town of the afore mentioned Datu"Toto,"named after an ancestor) and Buluan which directly borders Sultan Kudarat Province.Before converting that land Bacani had used another personal relationship to secure a multi-year commitment from the family owned Chiquita Corporation to purchase the intended cash crop,bananas.
By the turn of the millenium the vast plantation,doing business as
"La Frutera,"was employing upwards of 1,500 locals,90 percent of whom were Muslims.More than a few of that number were active members,or otherwise dependants of members of the MILF/BIAF.Aside from the plantation,which now owns 1,100 hectares of producing land making the ARMM's (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) most productive businesses,the endeavour is a fabulous example of how compromise can lead to sustainable development.One such example that often comes to my mind is how Bacani and Datu"Toto" were able to manage a most vexing problem.As the plantation began expanding expotentially the partners had difficulty managing their irrigation needs.Bacani,a man who thinks big apparently decided that they would be best off with the best irrigation engineers in the world...Israelis.As one might imagine the idea of Israelis setting up shoppe in ARMM wasn't exactly well received,to say the least.Datu"Toto"had learned to trust Bacani's instincts (not to mention his incredible knowledge) and after a very brief bout of reluctance decided to talk to his Uncle Hashim and secure official MILF backing for the prposed venture.Just after the 2000 War launched by (then) President Estrada led the MILF leadership,including Salamat to ensconce themselves deep in the bush,the group's former headquarters at Camp Abubakar having fallen to the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines).After a long,e day trek up-country Datu"Toto"was able to secure Salamat's blessing,and by relation,the MILF's.Why would the MILF agree to such an
Would the MILF agree to such a politically unpalatable idea? As Datu"Toto"told it,Salamat said that as long as it is Filipino-Muslims (of course Salamat would have called them"Bangsamoros") receive the ultimate benefit he was all for it.There is a valuable lesson to be learned in that anecdote;When people can genuinely improve their lives in a sustainable manner politics almost always takes a backseat,and well it should.That Bacani was the man who realised that nugget first,and that he had both the faith and the gumption to follow through with "La Frutera"makes him Panel materiel (and then some).
II) Professor Miriam Coronel Ferrer,an Assistant Professor in the University of the Philippines' Political Science Department was the second appointee and paid her dues as a Peace Advocate not only here in the Philippines but abroad as well.Formerly the Director of the school's"Third World Studies Center"from 2000 to 2003 she has been involved in NGO campaigns for disparate causes such as the banning of and continued awareness against Landmines,work that took her to Cambodia in the post-Khmer Rouge Era.Currently active with the grassroots organisation,"Sulong CARHRIHL,"which seeks to keep CARHRIHL (Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law),an Agreement brokered between the Government and the NDFP (National Front of the Philippines).As an academic with Leftist credentials she has in the past been called on by the government in the GPH-NDFP Peace Process as well;from 2/2001 to 2/2003 Ferrer served as a member of the Reciprocal Working Committee for Political and Constitutional Reforms (RWC-PCR) for the GPH Peace Panel.Currently she passes her time,when not busy working towards her PhD in Political Science at Tokyo University's Graduate School for Law and Politics as an online columnist for the Philippine television network,ABS-CBN,covering political affairs.
III) Professor Hamid Barra,of Mindanao State University in Marawi City,Lanao del Sur Province is Chairman of that school's King Faisal Center for Islamic,Arabic and Asian Studies.While Barra's placement on the panel might seem predicated upon his ethnicity and or religion neither attribute really serves the government's cause given the man's long and close relationship with the state.A past Secretary of the NCMF (National Council of Muslim Filipinos),a token govermental portfolio that was created to offer the appearance that the government actually cares about minority affairs...or simply that they even understand what a"Filipino Muslim"is.Professor Barra's Peace Making credentials are a bit shabby as well with the only association worth mentioning is his currently holding the Presidency of the"Ulama League."The Ulama League is an entity composed of pro-government Islamic scholars and clerics who make an absolutely minimal effort to inunece a constituency that pays it no mind in any regard.For all Barra's milquetost ambiance he has still managed,in his own minute way to court controversy.The Philippines,as a concession to the Saudi sponsored OIC (Organisation of the Islamic Conference) created a government position to act as an interface with the Saudis for the annu Haj Pilgramage,the"Amerol Haj" (Leader of the Pilgramage).
The Haj takes place annually and involves a trip to al Hejaz,a region in Saudi Arabia where the e holiest cities of Islam,Mecca and al Medina are located.The trip is incumbent upon all Muslim adults with sufficient financial and physical means.Seeing as how there are currently well over 1 billion Muslims on the planet one can easily imagine what a massive undertaking this is logistically and otherwise.While the title of"Amerol"is largely ceremonial the governmental bureau which the Secretary leads encompasses more a than a little political cachet (in other words,looks great on a resume
).This minimal consideration was enough to place Barra on the hotseat.The largely titular position of Amerol is concurrently held by the sitting Secretary of the NCMF.For the first time ever the Secretary of the NCMF is a woman,Bai Lucman.Islam,being the patriarchal religion that it is does not permit a female Amerol.Without consulting Bai Lucman the powers that be opted to have Professor Barra be made Amerol for 2010.The real problem though,arose when everyone (that is to say"everyone in the tiny world that cares at all about such things") began assuming that Barra was ALSO concurrently the sitting Secretary of the NCMF.Sounds like SOME people have way too much time on their hands (just like those of us that Blog).
IV) The last member of the Panel seems to be an after thought,a name chosen out of a hat;Ramon A.Piang,long time Mayor of Upi,Maguindanao Province who just assumed the position of Vice Mayor in the last election,having served the maximum 3 terms in office (9 years total).Vice Mayor Piang is certainly multi-cultural being part Maguindanowan (Maguindanoan),part Teduray (a small Lumad Tribe centered in that same town) and part Chinese.If he could claim some Cebuano (Bisaya) or Ilonggo ancestry I might include a link to,"We are the World."
With the 5 members empaneled the group began the tedious chore of going over all past bi-lateral Agreements,Memorandums and Joint Communiques.By October they were ready to join with the Cabinet Security Cluster (representatives from the Defense and Intel echelons who closely advise the President on pertinent matters) and by month's end had together developed what they feel is a viable framework for negotiation,always cognisant of the pre-requisite Constituional onus (of course).One hopes that THIS Panel avoids the legal and moral shortcuts undertaken by its predecessor.
Professor Leonen's field of expertise is International Law (personally I had hoped it would be Constituional Law simply for the volatile terrain it would produce during Talks).Thus far Leonen has tried to remain above the fray while not sacrificing his stated commitment to framing the process Constitutionally.Why all this talk of the Constitution you ask (if perhaps you had been on vacation in some unimaginable place not yet innundated with media hacks)?The answer,naturally,is that the Peace Process hit a brick wall on August 4th,2008 because of the hugely anticipated MoA-AD (Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain) was zapped with a Restraining Order by the Supreme Court (which subsequently found that the document in fact contravened the 1987 Constitution).While the preceeding was great news for those who love an Independant Judiciary (as well as the great many people who didn't wish to see the Republic dissected over manufactured ethno-nationalist fantasies),it led to 750,000 IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons,i.e."Refugees"),at least 1,100 dead and countless wounded and traumitised...and of course,that"floundering Peace Process"I just mentioned.
Joining Professor Leonen will be 4 Panel members whom the President began naming a month later,in August;
I) Senen C.Bacani,63,graduated Summa Cum Laude from Da Salle before gaining his graduate degree at the University of Hawaii where he studied as a scholar in the "East-West Scholarship Program."Becoming a corporate hack at Dole he spent most of the next 20 years abroad on company business.Like many of the nation's brightest and best he returned home post-Marcos to lend a hand in rebuilding the country.In 1991 he was appointed Secretary of Agriculture under President Corazon Aquino,the current President's late mother.Though he only held the post through 1992 his tenure was remarkable for it being the first time in modern history that the nation was able to become an exporter of rice instead of importing it.Likewise it marked the first time that the nation gained self sufficiency with corn as well.While Bacani can't take all the credit for those 2
two great accomplishments,his effort and know how certainly played a part.
Why would an agri-biz whiz be chosen to negotiate with an insurgent army?While working for Dole he had made the acquaintance of Datu Ibrahim"Toto"Paglas,a Maguindanaw (Maguidanoan) leader from the Maguindano/Sultan Kudarat Provincial border who also happened to be a nephew of the late Hashim Salamat,founder of the MILF/BIAF.Capaitalising on this relationship Bacani,with Datu Paglas as his partner,began lapping up hectare after hectare of arable land between the towns of Datu Paglas (it is the home town of the afore mentioned Datu"Toto,"named after an ancestor) and Buluan which directly borders Sultan Kudarat Province.Before converting that land Bacani had used another personal relationship to secure a multi-year commitment from the family owned Chiquita Corporation to purchase the intended cash crop,bananas.
By the turn of the millenium the vast plantation,doing business as
"La Frutera,"was employing upwards of 1,500 locals,90 percent of whom were Muslims.More than a few of that number were active members,or otherwise dependants of members of the MILF/BIAF.Aside from the plantation,which now owns 1,100 hectares of producing land making the ARMM's (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) most productive businesses,the endeavour is a fabulous example of how compromise can lead to sustainable development.One such example that often comes to my mind is how Bacani and Datu"Toto" were able to manage a most vexing problem.As the plantation began expanding expotentially the partners had difficulty managing their irrigation needs.Bacani,a man who thinks big apparently decided that they would be best off with the best irrigation engineers in the world...Israelis.As one might imagine the idea of Israelis setting up shoppe in ARMM wasn't exactly well received,to say the least.Datu"Toto"had learned to trust Bacani's instincts (not to mention his incredible knowledge) and after a very brief bout of reluctance decided to talk to his Uncle Hashim and secure official MILF backing for the prposed venture.Just after the 2000 War launched by (then) President Estrada led the MILF leadership,including Salamat to ensconce themselves deep in the bush,the group's former headquarters at Camp Abubakar having fallen to the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines).After a long,e day trek up-country Datu"Toto"was able to secure Salamat's blessing,and by relation,the MILF's.Why would the MILF agree to such an
Would the MILF agree to such a politically unpalatable idea? As Datu"Toto"told it,Salamat said that as long as it is Filipino-Muslims (of course Salamat would have called them"Bangsamoros") receive the ultimate benefit he was all for it.There is a valuable lesson to be learned in that anecdote;When people can genuinely improve their lives in a sustainable manner politics almost always takes a backseat,and well it should.That Bacani was the man who realised that nugget first,and that he had both the faith and the gumption to follow through with "La Frutera"makes him Panel materiel (and then some).
II) Professor Miriam Coronel Ferrer,an Assistant Professor in the University of the Philippines' Political Science Department was the second appointee and paid her dues as a Peace Advocate not only here in the Philippines but abroad as well.Formerly the Director of the school's"Third World Studies Center"from 2000 to 2003 she has been involved in NGO campaigns for disparate causes such as the banning of and continued awareness against Landmines,work that took her to Cambodia in the post-Khmer Rouge Era.Currently active with the grassroots organisation,"Sulong CARHRIHL,"which seeks to keep CARHRIHL (Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law),an Agreement brokered between the Government and the NDFP (National Front of the Philippines).As an academic with Leftist credentials she has in the past been called on by the government in the GPH-NDFP Peace Process as well;from 2/2001 to 2/2003 Ferrer served as a member of the Reciprocal Working Committee for Political and Constitutional Reforms (RWC-PCR) for the GPH Peace Panel.Currently she passes her time,when not busy working towards her PhD in Political Science at Tokyo University's Graduate School for Law and Politics as an online columnist for the Philippine television network,ABS-CBN,covering political affairs.
III) Professor Hamid Barra,of Mindanao State University in Marawi City,Lanao del Sur Province is Chairman of that school's King Faisal Center for Islamic,Arabic and Asian Studies.While Barra's placement on the panel might seem predicated upon his ethnicity and or religion neither attribute really serves the government's cause given the man's long and close relationship with the state.A past Secretary of the NCMF (National Council of Muslim Filipinos),a token govermental portfolio that was created to offer the appearance that the government actually cares about minority affairs...or simply that they even understand what a"Filipino Muslim"is.Professor Barra's Peace Making credentials are a bit shabby as well with the only association worth mentioning is his currently holding the Presidency of the"Ulama League."The Ulama League is an entity composed of pro-government Islamic scholars and clerics who make an absolutely minimal effort to inunece a constituency that pays it no mind in any regard.For all Barra's milquetost ambiance he has still managed,in his own minute way to court controversy.The Philippines,as a concession to the Saudi sponsored OIC (Organisation of the Islamic Conference) created a government position to act as an interface with the Saudis for the annu Haj Pilgramage,the"Amerol Haj" (Leader of the Pilgramage).
The Haj takes place annually and involves a trip to al Hejaz,a region in Saudi Arabia where the e holiest cities of Islam,Mecca and al Medina are located.The trip is incumbent upon all Muslim adults with sufficient financial and physical means.Seeing as how there are currently well over 1 billion Muslims on the planet one can easily imagine what a massive undertaking this is logistically and otherwise.While the title of"Amerol"is largely ceremonial the governmental bureau which the Secretary leads encompasses more a than a little political cachet (in other words,looks great on a resume
).This minimal consideration was enough to place Barra on the hotseat.The largely titular position of Amerol is concurrently held by the sitting Secretary of the NCMF.For the first time ever the Secretary of the NCMF is a woman,Bai Lucman.Islam,being the patriarchal religion that it is does not permit a female Amerol.Without consulting Bai Lucman the powers that be opted to have Professor Barra be made Amerol for 2010.The real problem though,arose when everyone (that is to say"everyone in the tiny world that cares at all about such things") began assuming that Barra was ALSO concurrently the sitting Secretary of the NCMF.Sounds like SOME people have way too much time on their hands (just like those of us that Blog).
IV) The last member of the Panel seems to be an after thought,a name chosen out of a hat;Ramon A.Piang,long time Mayor of Upi,Maguindanao Province who just assumed the position of Vice Mayor in the last election,having served the maximum 3 terms in office (9 years total).Vice Mayor Piang is certainly multi-cultural being part Maguindanowan (Maguindanoan),part Teduray (a small Lumad Tribe centered in that same town) and part Chinese.If he could claim some Cebuano (Bisaya) or Ilonggo ancestry I might include a link to,"We are the World."
With the 5 members empaneled the group began the tedious chore of going over all past bi-lateral Agreements,Memorandums and Joint Communiques.By October they were ready to join with the Cabinet Security Cluster (representatives from the Defense and Intel echelons who closely advise the President on pertinent matters) and by month's end had together developed what they feel is a viable framework for negotiation,always cognisant of the pre-requisite Constituional onus (of course).One hopes that THIS Panel avoids the legal and moral shortcuts undertaken by its predecessor.
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