July 29, 2009
No Time but Now to Stop War and Make Peace
“Children are dancing with joy” said the text message, reporting that the Government's unilateral SOMO or suspension of military operations against the MILF had just been announced to the assembly of IDPs (internally displaced persons) in Datu Piang.
The Waging Peace Philippines, a national civil society peace network, sincerely welcomes the recent initiatives towards ceasefire between the GRP and MILF and towards formal peace talks soon between the GRP and NDF. These developments are to be hailed especially considering the latest DSWD count of “validated” IDPs of the GRP-MILF conflict at 200,913 persons, and news just last week of other IDPs, particularly indigenous peoples, fleeing this time from the military and NPA clashes in Surigao.
These renewal of efforts for peace provide a space that should give communities respite from violence and fear and allow them some normality. They also awaken the hope that some progress can be made in the peace negotiations to lay the ground for sustained commitment to peace processes by all parties.
With less than a year of the current administration, it may not be realistic or even wise to beat a deadline for signed peace agreements. But with good will and genuine effort for reform, this can be a final chance to leave a legacy of significant steps forward on peace.
On the GRP-MILF peace process, we urge all groups, especially local government officials to respect and support the SOMO of the government and the SOMA ( suspension of military attacks) of the MILF. We appeal to the local as well as international community for assistance towards the re-establishment of effective ceasefire mechanisms. The IDPs must continue to be given full humanitarian protection and support, and ensured safe return, rehabilitation and healing. We urge the Government and the MILF to return to the peace table with the sincerity and political will to negotiate a just resolution to the Bangsamoro right to self-determination.
On the GRP-NDF peace processes, we support the negotiations on Social and Economic Reform and assert that these should already be complemented by concrete actions towards structural justice in order to reverse the growing poverty in the country. We urge that the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) of the CARHRIHL (Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law) be immediately convened and continuously activated to strengthen the implementation of CARHRIHL by all parties. At this time, there should be a stop to all extrajudicial killings/assassinations, torture, enforced disappearances and other human rights violations by all perpetrators.
As citizens and civil society, we commit to support these renewed peace tracks of the GRP-MILF and GRP-NDF, by building the constituency for peace, by contributing our peace agenda and proposals, and by working for the clean electoral transition and governance reform necessary for a sustainable peace.
Let us now work together in taking the current opportunities on the peace front mindfully forward, to finally build a joyful nation for our children.
For the Waging Peace Philippines Convenors ( Bobby Tanada, Ed Garcia, Loreta Castro, Anwar Upahm, Gus Miclat, Mardi Mapa, Fatmawati Salapuddin, Cesar Villanueva, Bridget Pawid, Rechie Tugawin , Fr. Rene Mabute)
Karen Tanada
Secretariat Coordinator
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