PCID Statement on the formation of the MILF Peace Panel

By Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy
September 14, 2010

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Monday has announced the constitution of its peace panel headed by Mohagder Iqbal.

The Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) welcomes the return to the negotiating panel of Mohagher Iqbal, as chairman; and Atty. Datu Michael Mastura, Maulana Bobby Alonto, and Abdullah Camlian as members. Their collective wealth of experience in political negotiation and their shared passion for the aspirations of the Bangsamoro will be important as the peace process enters a new phase.

We, at the PCID, are hopeful that the choice of Mr. Camlian who is a native of Basilan will provide representation for Muslims living the island provinces of Muslim Mindanao.

We are likewise pleased with the inclusion to the peace panel of Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga, chairman of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, whose intellectual capability and probity should be of big help to the negotiations.

The government had earlier stated that it is prepared to talk peace with the completion of its peace panel headed by UP Law Dean Marvic Leonen.

The Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) welcomes these positive developments in the GRP-MILF peace process. After the MOA-AD debacle as well as the uncertainty with the new administration's peace approach, the formation of the two negotiating panels represents a constructive direction towards the attainment of lasting peace.

It is PCID's hope that the peace negotiations under the new government will build upon the goodwill and successes of previous negotiations as well as learn from the lessons of the MOA-AD controversy.

We are also encouraged by the announcement of President Aquino III on the formation of an advisory body to be "composed of members from both Houses of Congress, retired justices of the Supreme Court, members of the 1987 Constitutional Commission, local governments in strife-affected areas, nongovernment organizations, and the former chairpersons of previous peace panels."

This will hopefully ensure that the peace process would be inclusive and participatory. The inclusion of members of Congress, for instance, solves a problem in the past where an agreement that was signed by both panels are derailed in Congress.

In PCID's analysis of the 1996 GRP-MNLF Peace Agreement, for instance, we noted how a party--the legislature--crucial to the implementation of the terms of the peace agreement was largely absent in the negotiation phase.

We urge government to treat the peace negotiations not as an occasion to simply manage the conflict but as an opportunity to address the root causes of the conflict that hopefully will lead to sustainable and just peace.

We also urge both sides to seriously consider putting in place an effective social communications strategy that would help the peace process in terms of seeking public support for the peace agreement to be forged.