MERGED: MILF-GRP Peace Process, Related Issues and Developments

[wanderlust]

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I hope our bid for an observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) will turn out positively. The OIC has sent delegates to observe the peace process in the south.

Anyway, local leaders in Mindanao see federalism as the best solution to the problem of insurgency in Mindanao.

[grabehbebe]

Sen. Pimentel said that it is about time to sign a final peace agreement between the government and the MILF because it has been nine years since this peace talks has begun and that this thing is one of those big headche for the nation.

Pimentel doubted that the government and the MILF would reach a final agreement unless the government makes an unequivocal commitment to grant a higher form of autonomy to Muslims and other ethnic groups in Mindanao by establishing a federal state.

]Full Story:http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200606060408.htm

[wanderlust]

Sen. Pimentel said that it is about time to sign a final peace agreement between the government and the MILF because it has been nine years since this peace talks has begun and that this thing is one of those big headche for the nation.

Pimentel doubted that the government and the MILF would reach a final agreement unless the government makes an unequivocal commitment to grant a higher form of autonomy to Muslims and other ethnic groups in Mindanao by establishing a federal state.

]Full Story:http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200606060408.htm

See, even Nene Pimentel is a known federalist. A higher form of autonomy is necessary for lasting peace in Mindanao. The continuing Muslim insurgency shows that the constitutionally sanctioned policy of assimilation, rather than promoting unity, has only bred further conflict in the south. Our present system of government has proved a failure in promoting unity in ethnic, religious and cultural diversity, because it fails to recognize the wide incongruencies that exist between the ideals of Muslims and Christians.

[lalakingbisdak]

I hope our bid for an observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) will turn out positively. The OIC has sent delegates to observe the peace process in the south.

Anyway, local leaders in Mindanao see federalism as the best solution to the problem of insurgency in Mindanao.

I guess the people from Mindanao wants peace except those terrorist (MILF, MNLF, ABu Sayaff etc). The people who live there wants peace now. Kill all terrorist and Mindanao will be peaceful!

[baron]

It's high time that a peace agreement be attained between the peace panel and the MILF. After all, the peace agreement will only prove to be beneficial between the two parties. Instead of prolonging the peace talks, it would be best to end it with a peace agreement. With this, our long overdue problem with the conflict in the South would be resolved.

Wanderlust pointed out a critical view on federalism and how this can resolve the concern of our Muslim counterparts.

[lalakingbisdak]

It's high time that a peace agreement be attained between the peace panel and the MILF. After all, the peace agreement will only prove to be beneficial between the two parties. Instead of prolonging the peace talks, it would be best to end it with a peace agreement. With this, our long overdue problem with the conflict in the South would be resolved.

Wanderlust pointed out a critical view on federalism and how this can resolve the concern of our Muslim counterparts.

Why the government has to give power to those MILF and Abu's or NPA's? Do they have their own government? People from the south should realize that the members of those groups bring terror to their place and the entire country. Cebu is just lucky nga dili ta mo cooperate aning mga terrorista. NO to peace talk but YES to eliminate them!

[Freeza]

It's high time that a peace agreement be attained between the peace panel and the MILF. After all, the peace agreement will only prove to be beneficial between the two parties. Instead of prolonging the peace talks, it would be best to end it with a peace agreement. With this,Â* Â*

Wanderlust pointed out a critical view on federalism and how this can resolve the concern of our Muslim counterparts.

IT would be more beneficial to the MILF and its symphtizer people many of its leaders are now tired and wretched in the mountains they envy how their MNLF conterparts are now enjoying life many of its commanders were put in key positions in the(local ARMM and national) govenmentÂ* agancies from CHED-dep ed to the military even theirs wives were given appointed positions from ragbag boys into instant millionares particularly the senior commanders of the former united MNLF(now in three main blocks)Â* thats why they should be serious in the peace talks.... otherwise they will suffer more than the government..

And in between it would be foolish and naive that a successful peace talks with the MILF and granting more authonomy like federalism in the armm south will finally end our long overdue problem with the conflict in the South .

The MILF even had no firm grip among its forces its more like a shacky alliances like the MNLF it could splinter into many groupsÂ* , and granting a federal armm would be more than a disaster itself.. just look at local autonomy they have now billions of pesos were given from the ramos to erap to gloria adminstrationÂ* and yet until now its practically bankrupt corruption rate is far higher than national level even small items like remittances of GSIS premiums of ARMM employes are not done and they even dared to ask the government to have there own regional security force meaning they want there own local army and police which directly under the ARmm not the grp natio0nal govenment.

The government should lend a hand in the peace talks with the MILF but not the whole arm, the MILF is just one maybe around 5%
of the total problems in the south.

[grabehbebe]

DSWD, UN-WFP ink agreement on P1.3-B food program in South

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the United Nations-World Food Program (UN-WFP) are undertaking a P1.3-billion food program for 2.1 million people in Mindanao to help advance the peace process there.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral said the program is also designed to reduce hunger and malnutrition in strife-torn areas in Mindanao.

The project will run from 2006 to 2007, benefiting poor residents in Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

These areas were chosen based on the number of conflict-affected towns, high poverty incidence and the presence of internally displaced people.

Through the program, Ramchandran said the UN-WFP hopes to "play a small part in a very big productive process" in Mindanao.


News: http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200606089903.htm

[grabehbebe]

The gov't has resumed back-channel talks with the Communist party of the Philippines despite PGMA's call for the all-out-war. Reports said that both Arroyo administration and the opposition are approaching the NDF panel to explore how formal talks can resume and that every approach for the resumption of the talks will be entertained by the NDF, they said that there have been also certain approaches but the CPP are not yet prepared to discuss the details.

Meanwhile, Senator Ma. Ana Consuelo Madrigal has accepted an invitation from the NDF to sit with them in The Netherlands to discuss the group’s suspended peace talks with the government.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?...03_june27_2006

[baron]

Well, this is really a mind game.

What is important is that the government already declared an all-out-war against the NPA rebels and in fact already sent troops to insurgent-infected areas all over the country. As much as rebel returnees are encouraged, the military is not complacent in its effort to put a stop to collection of revolutionary taxes of these NPA rebels.

After all, the group will always be considered as enemy of the State.