Tuesday, June 17, 2008

UNYPAD STATEMENT on the Abduction of Professor Dinampo

AN APPEAL FOR THE IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF PROFESSOR OCTAVIO DINAMPO, CES DRILON AND THEIR COMPANIONS

Kidnapping, for whatever purpose and by whatever group, is against the law, be it human or divine.

It is on this premise that we, officers, members and staff of the United Youth for Peace and Development, Inc. (UNYPAD), a non-government organization and a nation-wide youth organization based in Cotabato City, South of the Philippines, condemns in the strongest terms humanly possible, the abduction of Professor Octavio Dinampo, Ces Drilon and her crew in Barangay Kulasi, Maimbung, Sulu, last Sunday.

Professor Dinampo, of the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Jolo, Sulu, is a renowned peace advocate. He is the chair of the Mindanao People¢s Caucus (MPC), of which the UNYPAD is a network-member.

Whoever and wherever the abductors are, we strongly appeal to them to immediately release, without any pre-condition, Professor Dinampo, Ces Drilon, a well-known broadcast journalist, and their companions.

To the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other concerned law enforcement agencies to exercise due prudence in any rescue effort that the lives of the victims may not be exposed to danger.

Likewise, we call upon our fellow Mindanaoans to help exert efforts, through whatever legal means, for the immediate and unconditional release of kidnap victims even as we believe that things of this sort is an affront to every peace-loving citizens like us.

Finally, to the families of the victims, we say that we are one with you in praying and doing the utmost we can, humble it may be, so that the victims may be freed soon and without any pre-condition.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

CBCS condemns in strongest possible terms the abduction of broadcast journalist Ces Drilon, her crew, and Prof. Dimampo

The Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, as a solidarity network of 168 Moro non-government and people’s organizations all over Mindanao, is profoundly saddened with the abduction of ABS-CBN’s veteran broadcast journalist Ces Oreña-Drilon, her crew, and Prof. Octavio Dinampo of Mindanao State University-Jolo.

Drilon is a broadcast journalist with a good reputation. Prof. Dinampo is known to be a good professor, a peace advocate and a leader in the civil society.

Abduction is a diabolical act that is strictly forbidden in Islam, and therefore deserves condemnation in its highest terms.

Drilon and Dimampo’s abduction is deeply disturbing that it transpired at a time when the GRP-MILF peace talks have been aborted and that the two parties are exerting efforts to explore all venues for its resumption, and while the Tripartite Review of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the Government and the MNLF is ongoing despite rough sailing.

Whoever is the perpetrator, we urge the government to resolve the crisis in the peaceful way. In doing so, it must guarantee that the real culprits will be brought to justice with the assurance that the civilians will be spared from any harm or become collateral damage.

As we console the family of Drilon, those of her companion, and that of Prof. Dimampo, and recognize the efforts exerted by mother station, the ABS-CBN, we also call on the civil society organizations, both at local and international levels, to share their own part to address the crisis.

Likewise, we call on the media to exercise utmost responsibility in reporting the abduction to avoid distortion of the truth and further complicating the already tense situation.

Our prayers for their immediate and unconditional release.



Sammy P. Maulana
Secretary General
Contact No.: 0926-365-2965

Sunday, June 8, 2008

CBCS Calls for Upholding the Gains of the Peace Process

By Mike G. Kulat


BACKGROUND

The Peace Processes in Mindanao concerning the Bangsamoro problem have already been a daily flavor in the life of every Bangsamoro since the early 70s that concluded in the signing of the Tripoli Agreement of 1976 between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GOP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The negotiations lingered on for twenty years so that in September 2, 1996 the GOP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement (FPA) was inked between then President Fidel Ramos and MNLF Chairman Prof. Nur Misuari witnessed by officials of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

At the advent of the negotiations, majority if not all the Bangsamoro pinned their hope of ending the centuries-old Bangsamoro problem. Even the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who formally broke away from the MNLF in the early 80s had mixed feeling of success and failure in the GOP-MNLF Peace Process. This was manifested by the late MILF Chairman Ustadz Salamat Hashim when they met with Misuari shortly before the conclusion of the GOP-MNLF 1976 FPA.

The late Chairman said, “At the advent of your negotiation with the government, let be this our agreement, that if you succeed in resolving the Bangsamoro problem through your negotiation I will come to you. But if you fail in your negotiation, then come to me and we will continue the struggle for freedom…”. This also led to the official declaration of the MILF leadership on “wait and see” attitude on the GOP-MNLF Peace Talks.

Shortly after the conclusion of the GOP-MNLF FPA and after thorough scrutiny of the agreement and it has been found out that it cannot solve the Bangsamoro problem (claim later corroborated by no less than the leadership of the MNLF) the MILF in 1997 decided to venture on a separate negotiation with the Philippine government.

Under this peace process, despite emplacing the Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities or Ceasefire Agreement signed between the GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines)-MILF Panels on July 18, 1997 at Cagayan De Oro City, it had been marred by both big and pocket wars, notably the 1997 Mal-Mar War, the 2000 All-Out War and the 2003 Buliok Complex War. These wars left ugly consequences in the lives of millions of Bangsamoro civilians that were considered “collateral damages” of wars by both state and non-state actors.

The recent developments in the GRP-MILF peace talks started with an impasse in September 2006 and from then on the peace talks has lingered with uncertainty and many times war has loomed at the midst. Then at a time when many have felt optimistic that the remaining contentious issues on the Ancestral Domain were resolved by the two panels in a series of Question and Answers and Executive Meetings, situations unfolded miserably with the aborted meeting scheduled on December 15 – 17, 2007 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Unlike the September 2006 impasse wherein civil society organizations, government organizations and international communities had been very active in calling on both Manila and the MILF to return to negotiating table, this time it seemed every one had been very quiet and nothing was being heard, not even from the government, from the MILF nor from the civil society groups. This deafening silence struck the attention of the leadership of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) who were witnesses and aware of the devastation to lives of tens of thousands of civilians should war loom.

CONSOLIDATION CHALLENGE

So that as early as end of December 2007, the CBCS headed by Chairperson Guiamel M. Alim started to consolidate CSO strength all over Mindanao through the already established eight CBCS Regional Management Committees (RMCs).

The consolidation effort, although spearheaded by the CBCS RMCs, also involved other CSO leaders coming from different sphere of life like the Ulama and Church leaders. The bracing attempt also involved leaders who seem to have inclinations both from the MNLF, MILF, and the government; the AFP had also been invited. This had become the reason why some cynical media personnel outrightly labeled the mobilization as MILF sponsored activities.

MOBILIZATION STAGE

Cotabato City Rally:

The mobilization started in Cotabato City Plaza on January 7, 2008. It was managed by inter-CSO body spearheaded by CBCS- Kutawato Regional Management Committee led by Rahib Kudto. It drew more than 50, 000 crowds. Nevertheless, irresponsible media reporters put the crowd as some 4,000 and others had it at 10,000. But the reality is the Rally Secretariat had recorded an attendance of more than 38,000 delegations as early at 10:20 AM and the participants continued to pour in until 12 noon.

A quote from Mindanews says: “An outpouring of frustration and anger marked today’s peace rally at the city plaza here where thousands of people converged to push the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) into resuming their talks and eventually signing a peace agreement.”

“I am tired of war,” said Bai Miseria Mamasalagat who arrived in the city from Pagalungan, Maguindanao onboard a caravan of about 23 trucks. “We have been evacuees for 20 years already. We are afraid,” she said, “that in case the talks would collapse, there will be fighting again and we will suffer.”

“The jubilation was short-lived, dreams were shattered,” said Guiamel Alim who noted that pronouncements of both parties in the past months were optimistic. “The signing of the MOA on the ancestral domain issue could have been the best Christmas gift for the Filipinos and a memorable reward for the Muslims in their celebration of Eid’ul Adha this year. It made a lot of people frustrated but many still keep hoping.” The rally participants came from Cotabato City, Shariff Kabunsuan, Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

Marawi City Peace Rally:

The second leg of the rallies was staged in Marawi City on January 9, 2008. It was a colorful one participated by around 20,000 participants coming from Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur and Lanao Del Norte. The marchers wore red t-shirts, chanted “Allahau Akbar” (Allah is Great) and waved. The rally was organized by CBCS- Ranaw Regional Management Committee headed by Datu Amenodin Cali.

“The failure of peace agreements in the past can be attributed mainly to the non-participation of the Bangsamoro people, because non-participation means they do not own a peace agreement,” said Abdullah Dalidig of Islamic Movement for Electoral Reform and Good Governance (IMERGG).

“The consequences of war in Mindanao have been very painful and costly. More than 150,000 people died and 100,000 were estimated to be injured. Millions were displaced from their homes and several hundred thousands, including more than 200,000 Bangsamoro sought refuge in the Malaysian State of Sabah have not returned home, and these are all horrible consequences of war. This is the reason we are calling the government to initiate the resumption of the peace talks” said another speaker.

General Santos City Peace Rally:

The third leg of peace rallies in Mindanao was held at General Santos City on January 10, 2008. It drew more than ten thousand participants coming from the General Santos City and the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat. The activity started with march from Queen Tuna Park and ended with a convergence at the Freedom Park where program was conducted with speeches from different speakers from interfaith leaders.

Oscar Sulaiman, Chairperson of CBCS- Rajah Buayan Regional Management Committee in his speech said, “SOCSKSARGEN is now a haven of peace. And this state of peace can be attributed to three things: emergence of strong local leaders, protection from both the police and the military, and the present gains of the peace processes”. He added that, “Due to the stalled peace talks, hopes were suddenly replaced by fears,” referring to the recent aborted meeting between the GRP-MILF panels scheduled on December 15-17, 2007 for the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain Aspect.

Pastor Frank Bantilan, a Lumad religious leader from Sarangani Province, together with other Blaans, said that they are distressed by the sudden impasse of the peace talks between the GRP and the MILF. “Muslims and Lumads are more than brothers, we feel no different pain,” he said with conviction. “Tri-people”, the term commonly associated with SOCSKSARGEN is mainly due to the existence of diverse tribes belonging to the Indigenous People, Christian and Muslims. “This is not a time for war,” he uttered calling for stronger unity between the Lumads and Muslims.

In a position paper, the Moro CSOs and other non-Moro supporters pointed out that “the most civilized and acceptable way to resolve conflict is through negotiation”. And the best way for a negotiation to succeed is “sincerity, honesty and political will”.

These positions were fervently made known by the CSOs: “The real implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the MNLF and Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), the restoration of the peace talks between the GRP and the MILF, and for the Government to bestow its ‘political will’ towards the realization of the peace processes”.

Iligan City Peace Caravan:

The fourth leg of the peace rally was conducted on January 21, 2008 with a caravan of more than forty vehicles from Marawi City and converged at Iligan City Plaza where programs were held. It was participated by interfaith leaders including representatives from the City Government of Iligan. It organized by the CBCS- Ranaw Regional Management Committee. Majority of the participants came from the Iligan City, Marawi City and the provinces of Lanao Del Sur and Lanao Del Norte.

The peace caravan came together with oozing spirits of frustrations from the different non-Moro civil society organizations and students standing with placards at Iligan City Plaza who assembled earlier. Close to 10,000 people were gathered to shore up support to the continuous call for the resumption of GRP-MILF Peace talks and the sincere implementation of all the peace processes in Mindanao.

“If this acts are not enough to catch the attention of the government, the interfaith CSOs will organize the walk for peace from Marawi City to Malacańang Palace to show to the government that we are indeed very serious in our fervor to attain just and lasting peace in Mindanao,” Abdullah “Lacs” Daligdig, chair of IMMERG added.

Atty. Ibrahim Canama of the Federated Royal Sultanate of the Philippines stated on an appeal of the sultanates for the MILF to return to the negotiating table and for the government to be sincere in dealing with the peace processes, from the course of the negotiation to the implementation of the agreements. “Our people cannot afford to live in fear,” he concluded.

“We are one with the Bangsamoro in the call for lasting peace,” said Fr. Chito Sugano of the Marawi Catholic church. “After all only those who declare war win, we are all victims”. Fr. Sugano added that “The Bangsamoro homeland, our bread and butter are happily utilized as battlegrounds, leaving its inhabitants with dime of hope.”

Pagadian City Peace Rally:

The fifth leg of peace rallies was held at the Pagadian City Plaza Luz on February 4, 2008. It was attended by more than ten thousand participants coming from different areas of Zamboanga Peninsula, from the towns of Tukuran, Labangan, Pagadian, Dumalinao, Kumalarang, San Pablo, Lapuyan, Margosatubig, Dinas and Dimataling.

The rally which was spearheaded by CBCS- Sibugay Regional Management Committee headed by Sultan Maguid Maruhom. It was concretized through series of community interfaith focus group discussions dealing with the present impasse in the GRP-MILF Peace Talks and its apparent consequences when the talks remain stalled for a long period.

“As we make this position ardently known, we are conscious of the fact that the greater majority of our people are eager for a meaningful result of the peace process through a comprehensive negotiated peace settlement that addresses our age–old political problem, not only to put an end to the ravages of war, but to usher the peaceful and harmonious co-existence of the people in Mindanao who mutually aspire for progress and development,” Ulama and civil society groups said in a statement.

In an earlier statement, the Ulama and civil society groups said: “The repercussion that dreadfully looms as a result of failures in the peace process is unacceptable. We must always continue to pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means. Violence by any measure is despicable, and for whatever reason, there will never be a good war. We must unite to stop it.”

Basilan March Rally:

The sixth leg of peace rallies was held at Lamitan City in Basilan Province on February 7, 2008 participated by around five thousand participants composed of representatives from civil society groups, religious and local government representatives both Moro and Non-Moro grouping.

The activity organized by CBCS- Basilan Regional Management Committee in collaboration with other civil society organizations. It started with marching of the participants around Lamitan City and convergence at Datu Dizal Cultural Center where different speakers delivered their respective pieces.

Rev. Antonio in his opening statement said, “We are all brothers and sisters in the eyes of God. We all came from one creator. But he admonished the people by saying that, ‘We should follow the law and the government because the voice of the government can be considered as the voice of God.”

Mayor Ismael shared her message that, “It is high time that the greater majority of the general public should be aware of the two peace processes because, whether they like it or not, they are affected by it and they will eventually be the end beneficiaries.”

Though both the MNLF and the MILF are committed to their respective peace processes with the government, Commander Salahuddin of the MNLF however put little stock on their progress, saying in the vernacular that, “I doubt if the government is sincere in negotiating on ancestral domain. Even during our time (MNLF), we were just fooled by the GRP.”

For his part, Vice Governor Sakkalahul said that, “The people of Basilan want peace and they are united enough to attain this peace. But it can only be attained if no politics is mixed into the effort.”
Sulu Peace Rally:
The seventh and last leg of the peace rallies in calling for the GRP and MILF to resume the peace talks was held outside the Municipal Hall of Jolo on February 9, 2008. It drew more than ten thousand people coming from different municipalities of Sulu particularly. The activity was organized by CBCS- Lupah Sug Regional Management Committee headed by Timogen “Cocoy” Tulawie in partnership with the Local Government Units of Sulu and other civil society groups.

No less than Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, Sulu 1st District Congressman Yusoph Jikiri and Jolo Mayor Hussein Amin graced the event. They were joined on the stage by Atty Ulka Ulama, former Regional Assemblyman and Board Member of the Sulu Grand Mosque Atty. Nasser Inawat, and Fatmawati “Patsy” Salapuddin, President of Lupah Sug Kababaihan and other local leaders of Sulu.

The supposedly peace rally turned into an indignation due to the “Ipil Massacre” which happened few days prior to the rally and killed eight civilians, young and old, men and women, perpetrated by elements of the Navy Special Warfare Group and Army Light Reaction Company on February 4, 2008 at around 2:30 AM at Barangay Ipil, Maimbung, Sulu.

Addressing his gathered constituents, Governor Tan said amidst choked up emotions that he will defend the rights of the people of Sulu. Speaking in the Tausug vernacular he further said “I did not accept the financial aid offered by DND Secretary Teodoro because others might think they can pay for the deaths of those who were killed in Ipil. We cannot accept the relief assistance that was brought here because in the future, if another, if another massacre happens, they might think that giving us relief goods would be enough for us. We do not need their help, if that is the case. We have lived on cassava and we have survived.”

Also in the vernacular, Congressman Jikiri heatedly stated that. ”Many times have events like this occurred, where civilians were killed; children, old people, pregnant women.” He continued that, “If we had been united from the very start in the same manner that we are united today, the perpetrators (of all violence and massacres) would have been afraid of us.” Addressing the gathered crowd, he added, “If you had seen the victims and the residents of Ipil, you would have cried because even though they had screamed (to the soldiers) that they were civilians, they were still shot at. If the people are united, our voice would be stronger.

For his part, Jolo Mayor Amin said, “I hope we will always be like this, united, whenever a human rights violation happens in our midst. So that the (national) government will see that we value our own people.”

Later in the rally, he told the people that he will allow all the placards used in that event to be posted everywhere in Jolo. “Let these placards stay where they are posted, until they are damaged by time”

IN RETROSPECT

The Consortium’s history of sharing its part in search for solution to the age-old Bangsamoro problem through peaceful means is not a new undertaking and considered part of its evolution more so with the mother peace processes such as the GRP-MNLF and the GRP-MILF Peace Talks. This can be gleaned from the past when it spearheaded the call to stop the war and resume peace talk better known as “Bakwit Power: Exodus for Peace” during the “2003 Buliok Complex War”. The activity was able to mobilize uninterrupted “human chains” on both side of Cotabato–Davao National Highway extending from the municipalities of Pikit, Pagalungan and Datu Montawal.

Nevertheless, the previous advocacies were confined only in a certain areas and other activities that followed involved quite of an average number of people. The significant nature of the recent mobilization is that it stirred public awareness in major urban centers throughout Mindanao (Mainland Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan and Sulu).

Secondly, public participation from all levels of Bangsamoro society had been overwhelming. Aside from the great number of participants in Cotabato City Peace rally because it is already a site past assemblies with hundreds of thousand crowds. But in many areas like General Santos City, Iligan City and Pagadian City have significant impact wherein the peace rallies had been remarked by respective Local Government Officials as “first of its kind” that a gathering of tens of thousand people converged.

Thirdly, a realization of the strength in working in collaboration with non-Moro CSO groups through interfaith approach and even government functionaries can be potential and effective partners when properly coordinated.

Fourthly, the crucial influence of the fronts like the MILF and in some areas like General Santos with the MNLF in drawing large crowd is essential even in a short span of time. The Ulama/Asatid group’s full participation was vital in the success of the mobilization.

Finally, in most of the rallies more than half of the total forces attended comprised women and youth that indicates they are potent force for any future mobilizations.

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT

In spite of the success attained in the mobilizations, certain areas of consideration must be continuously improved for future advocacies in order to achieve higher gains. Among those areas to be taken into account are:

First, improve and strengthen collaboration with the group identified with the MNLF as well as governmental instrumentalities or local government units in mobilization in order to balance issues and management.

Second, enhance engagement with other CSO groups especially the non-Moro groups and to reach out other important sectors of society such as the academe and others.

Third, special consideration and attention be given in working closely with the media people. The presence of some irresponsible media can make or unmake the important gains of the advocacies as manifested in the Cotabato City Peace Rally where some media reported that the crowd is only four thousand and is MILF sponsored.

Fourth, for the CBCS Secretariat to avail themselves during the planning meetings in order effectively oversee the implementation of activities.


(Mike G. Kulat is the Peace Program Coordinator of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society and the Coordinator for CBCS Central Mindanao Cluster.)