BY JESS DUREZA
I HAVE two initial suggestions to Congress, if I may, as it works on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
One, make it truly “inclusive” for all and not only for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Two, extend the transition period to somehow give it a fair chance of succeeding.
Of course, there are several other enhancements but let me focus on these two because they are, in my humble view, crucial.
MILF A MINORITY
Let’s face it. The Bangsamoro area is not predominantly MILF.
In fact, MILF is a minority in the present ARMM although it admirably carried the torch to secure what is rightfully due to the whole Bangsamoro.
Truth to tell, many areas that suffered in the conflict, up to now, view the MILF as the “enemy” responsible for bringing misery.
Others seriously doubt MILF’s capability to make things better for the Bangsamoro given the depth and magnitude of the challenges at hand.
And there are many others who begrudge the MILF for taking up arms to virtually blackmail the government and the public into giving them concessions in the peace agreement and their proven incapability to even marshal and whip into line their own forces becoming so-called armed “rogue elements” in their own controlled areas.
Whatever it is, let’s give the MILF the benefit of the doubt that it can hack it, to use a common lingo.
LIKE A BUS RIDE
This journey is akin to a bus ride, with the MILF now at the driver’s seat. To successfully reach its ultimate destination, the “peace bus” must have as passengers not only the MILF.
Everyone must be onboard to include the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the mainstream Muslims, the present Muslim political leaders, or even the so-called “rogue elements” if they wish to take a hitch in this bus ride. But those who prefer to miss this bus ride, let it be. They can be dealt with accordingly later in the day. Or they can take the next bus ride if they wish and converge.
ONLY ONE ROAD MAP
Congress, in passing the BBL, must work for “convergence.” It must consolidate the two peace agreements – the 1996 Peace Agreement with the MNLF and this new Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) with the MILF.
It must craft a common road map, not only for the MILF but for all Muslims and others for the “peace bus” to travel on.
One way for Congress to do this is to reach out to the MNLF for them to take the bus by seeing to it that the results or output of the so-called tripartite review of the MNLF peace agreement which I initiated during my time at the Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process (OPAPP) be consolidated with the new agreement with the MILF in the proposed law. This way, there is common feeling of ownership of all factions and groups.
MISUARI
Although there were token efforts to bring in Nur Misuari’s MNLF and be part of the transition commission to ensure convergence in the latter stages of the MILF peace talks, OPAPP’s obvious disdain towards Chairman Nur Misuari was not conducive in bringing in the desired results.
That Nur’s group being tagged as a “spent force” by Malacañang and that the MNLF had already squandered its chance when they governed the ARMM with Misuari as governor following the 1996 peace agreement obviously did not at all help. “He blew it” was a usual refrain. And mind you, there was indeed some basis for this. But methinks it could have been better handled. Anyway, that’s now water under the bridge.
TRIPARTITE REVIEW
A little flashback. Sometime in 2006 when I was working at OPAPP, I started the so-called tripartite review of the 10- year-old MNLF 1996 Peace Agreement due the unending angst of Misuari about the alleged non-implementation of certain commitments by the government. “Tripartite” because it involved the MNLF, the government and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) with Indonesia as lead country.
Misuari always shouted on top of his voice in complaints during all OIC ministerial meetings. He created waves because he was received like a head of state by Islamic countries. The MNLF was granted an “observer” status to represent Muslims in Southern Philippines. (MNLF up to this time enjoys this exclusive franchise.)
We thought then it would be best to do a tripartite review even as we negotiated with the MILF so the MNLF would not feel being sidelined and also so that the public and the Muslim world would know whereof Misuari was talking through his hat or where the government indeed had to do more.
OIC sent Egyptian Ambassador Al Masry who became my close friend. We even went together as far as going to the MNLF camp of Ustadz Habier Malik in Panamao, Sulu to check things out. (He is the same Malik who, by the way, figured prominently in last year’s Zamboanga siege where he reportedly died as a result, although lately I have been getting audible signals from the ground that he allegedly survived and is now up and about somewhere.) (To be continued/PN)
