Letter of Concern from German Friends on the Crisis in Mindanao

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
 
 
Originally posted Sept. 9, 2008 by Keystone