Sep
09
     
Letter of Concern from German Friends on the Crisis in Mindanao
Posted (Keystone) in Releases on September-9-2008


President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo


Malacañang Palace,
J.P. Laurel St.


San Miguel 1005
Manila


Philippines

                                                                                20 August 2008

Dear President Macapagal-Arroyo, 

  

The German Action Network Human Rights - Philippines, comprising of the church-led development
organisations Bread for the World/Diakonie, Church Development Service (EED), Misereor, Missio, United
Evangelical Mission (UEM) and of philippinenbüro in Asia House, would like to express its serious concern
regarding the current conflict in central Mindanao. Due to the recent outbreak of war in Mindanao more
than 70,000 people have become internally displaced and now rely on humanitarian aid and on the
conflicting parties to stop fighting. we would like to appeal to all actors in the conflict, the MILF, the
Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) as well as local politicians and other armed groups to
refrain from the use of violent force and adhere to the agreed peace process.


 

The Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) recently issued by the Supreme Court has stalled the signing of
the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA). While we consider this a major setback in the
quest for peace, we believe that the Supreme Court shouldn’t allow itself to become a stumbling block in
resolving a political conflict that requires a political solution. We therefore appeal to the Supreme Court to
lift the TRO and allow the peace process to move forward.

 

There is a need for continued consultation, transparent dialogue and information on the MOA, not only inMindanao, but in all of the Philippines. The MOA is the result of 110 consultative sessions between theMILF and the GRP since 2004. It embodies important aspirations of the Bangsamoro struggle, such as theright to self-determination as well as the commitment of the government to address the historic inequalities

at the root of the conflict.

It is vital that these aspirations will not be used for any other agenda and that the accomplishments of the
peace process will be honoured. Particularly those politicians who may feel threatened by the changes the
MOA will bring about should be reminded of the fundamental right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro
people as recognized under international law. The GRP should clearly intervene here to prevent further
escalation. Inflammatory propaganda and militarisation on behalf of those who may loose from the MOA
must not poison the relationship between the people of Mindanao.

 

With regard to current discussions on a charter change in connection to the MOA, we would like to point
out that while there will indeed be a need for comprehensive legislative action with the signing of the MOA,
it is premature to pursue these changes before the presidential election in 2010. According to the
timeframe of the MOA it will take the parties twelve (12) months after the signing to proceed with the
plebiscite and a total of fifteen (15) months to complete the negotiations and resolve all outstanding issues
on the Comprehensive Compact. Given this timeframe there won’t be enough time to undertake charter
changes via the GRP-MILF talks.

 

We appeal to all actors in the conflict to listen to the peaceful voices of the civilians and refugees in
Mindanao - the Bangsamoro people, indigenous people and migrant settlers alike and to address the
grievances at the root of the conflict.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Sgd. Karl Schönberg
(Chairman)

 

Action Network Human Rights - Philippines

Aktionsbündnis Menschenrechte - Philippinen
c/o philippinenbüro e.V., Bullmannaue 11, D-45327 Essen

Trägerkreis: Brot für die Welt, Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst, Misereor, Missio, philippinenbüro e.V. im Asienhaus,

Vereinte Evangelische Mission

 
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Sep
09
     
POSITION PAPER of the ERUMANEN NE MENUVU IN THE NORTH COTABATO AREA
Posted (Keystone) in Releases on September-9-2008

We, the representatives of the Erumanen ne Menuvu communities from the six municipalities in the Province of Cotabato, namely, Pigcawayan, Libungan, Midsayap, Aleosan, Alamada and Carmen, express our firm and united stand on the issue of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain and the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity advanced by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines Peace Panels;  

We acknowledge that we as brothers of the Muslims of Mindanao are not against their struggle which is represented by Moro Islamic Liberation Front to uphold their right to self-determination by engaging in a negotiated political settlement with GRP; 

We recognize that we are seriously affected by the issue of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain and the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity because it raises confusion on the fate of ancestral territories of the Lumad peoples of Mindanao;

We understand that the term “Bangsamoro” stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement on ancestral domain includes the Lumad people and their freedom of choice will be respected; 

Taking the interests and voices of the Erumanen ne Menuvu, we stand as people who seek for meaningful and effective recognition, respect and promotion of our inherent rights as distinct people different from the Bangsamoro. Thus, in adherence to these views, we strongly declare that:

 

  1. We do not adopt the term “Bangsamoro” as our identity because even before it was adopted by Moro brothers, we already are natives with identity rooted to our lands and territories.
  1. We the Lumad people were already in existence even before Islam was introduced which separated the blood brothers – APU MAMALU AND APU TABUNAWEY- and they agreed in the peace pact called D’YANDI;
  1. The MOA does not meaningfully stipulate any statements that advance the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (R.A. 8371) and United Nation Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) which we adhere to correct historical injustices of the indigenous peoples;
  1. The Lumad peoples’ concept of ancestral domain is far different from the one stated in the Memorandum of Agreement on the ancestral domain ; the Indigenous Peoples strongly believe that our land is material base of our culture -  that ancestral domains includes not only the seen but also the unseen being  including the respects of deities,  spirits  and sacred sites; this point is contrast to what is reflected in the provision of MOA which is more of socio-economic based and resource-driven interest;
  1. We  have close spiritual link  with nature which is not also made clear in the MOA;
  1. Lastly, we view that the Memorandum of Agreement on ancestral domain is vague and not responsive to the interest and well-being of the Lumad people;

 

Based on the aforementioned premises, we join the chorus of appeal of the majority of the Lumad peoples of Mindanao, to:  

  1. Uphold the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (R.A. 8371) which has the spirit and intent to correct historical injustices of the Indigenous People and was achieved through a very long but peaceful and diplomatic struggle.
  1. Identify, delineate and exclude our ancestral lands and territories from the so called  Bangsamoro homeland by recognizing , revitalizing and reinforcing the traditional boundaries known to us as “Pegeleten ”  and “Lantong” which our ancestors and our generation today continue to preserved and respected.
  1. Put every detail of the MOA in proper context taking into account their indispensable rights of the Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao to their Ancestral Domain;
  1. Call the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to fast track the delineation and identification of ancestral land/domain of the Indigenous Peoples irregardless of contents and provisions of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain;

We call for the cessation of armed hostilities which directly inflict harms to the Indigenous peoples into their ancestral territories instead;  

We also appeal to the GRP and MILF peace panels to resume the peace talks behind the negotiating tables;  

Lastly, we petition that any decision or action to be made should be passed through free and meaningful consultations with the Lumad people who are, in one way or the other, affected by this issue.  

We affix our signatures as symbol of our oneness in making this stand this 18th day of August 2008 at Midsayap, Cotabato. 
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