January 29, 2012: The Peace Negotiating Panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) graced in full force the peace advocacy program held at Barangay Daliao, Maasim, Saranggani yesterday.

Mohagher Iqbal, Chairman of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel, Prof. Abhoud Lingga, MILF Peace Panel Member, Datu Antonio Kinoc, A B’laan member of the MILF Peace Panel, Jun Mantawil, Head of Secretariat of MILF Peace Panel, two officials of the MILF Central Committee, Said Shiek, MILF Ceasefire Committee Chairman, and Von al Haq, MILF military spokesperson talked about the various issues and concerns surrounding the peace process between the MILF and Government of the Philippines (GPH).

The program was organized by the MILF communities in Maasim, Saranggani and was attended by 1,270 individuals from the various municipalities of Saranggani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

Also present were the officials of the Team Site 4 of the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) based in General Santos City and the Mindanao Human Rights and Action Center and the Nonviolent Peaceforce, which are members of the IMT Civilian Protection Component (CPC).

Iqbal explained the recent updates on the peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF being facilitated by the Malaysian Government Third Party Facilitator.

The MILF Chief Negotiator explained that both panels had initial discussions on the political solution to the Bangsamoro Question, particularly on the issue of power-sharing and transitional mechanisms.

Iqbal said the Bangsamoro Question is essentially about the restoration of the Bangsamoro identity, homeland and government that was illegally and immorally usurped when the Bangsamoro was integrated into the Philippine Republic in 1946 with the grant of its independence by the United States of America. 

He emphasized the need for a longer period of transitional mechanisms, saying “it is important to have a longer transition period because this is crucial in the successful implementation of any peace agreement.”

In most cases, he said, the success of the implementation of a peace accord depends largely on the building blocks, accomplishments and consolidations made during the transition period.
“We cannot do anything in a short transition period like one year as what the government wants. If we cannot deliver anything during the transition period then our people and the concerned international community will be disappointed,” he said.

Iqbal also pointed out as ticklish issue the panels to confront at the negotiating table is on constitutional processes which have large bearing on implementation guarantee of the negotiated political settlement.

Prof. Lingga, for his part, espoused the government hands are seemed to be tied on the issue of constitutional processes particularly on constitutional amendment due to the Executive Order setting the parameters for the negotiations issued to the government peace negotiating panel. “If the government really wants to have an enduring solution to the problem then it should not avoid constitutional processes that would ensure the implementation of any comprehensive peace compact,” he said.