Jamby, Dick blame Mindanao peace crisis on Arroyo

SIX presidential aspirants agreed Tuesday that efforts of past and present administrations failed to solve the armed conflict in Mindanao.

During the first Mindanao Presidential Forum dubbed "Panaghisgut-hisgut" presidentiables who flew in the city from Luzon wooed a crowd of 2,500 at the Ateneo de Davao University (Addu). The forum was not a debate, rather the presidentiables were provided ample time to answer questions rooted on Mindanao issues.

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The forum was organized by Addu, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. among others.

Senator Ma. Ana Consuelo Madrigal and Senator Richard Gordon of Bagumbayan-VNP Party lashed at the Arroyo administration saying the latter failed in solving the armed conflict in some areas in Mindanao due to "mismanagement."

"What the conflict in Mindanao has come to is because of the mismanagement of the Arroyo administration. The military is used to terrorize areas where there are mineral deposits and logging for the benefit of the few and the foreigners. Warlords were raised as monsters so long as they delivered support to the administration," Madrigal said.

"Obviously there has been a lack of consultation, to do that we have to respect, understand, and accept the cultures of the Muslims and the lumads. We have to get out of the mentality that Moros are our enemies," Gordon said.

Former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro of Lakas-Kampi-CMD Party admitted the key to the peace process would not lie in his administration if he wins the race "but it lies in everyone here in Mindanao."

"Nobody can impose peace unless everyone here in Mindanao, all the stakeholders, would support a peace strategy built for Mindanao. It has to be built with the voice of the people and whatever may be decided should be backed up by those in Luzon and in Visayas and those who wants to help in the peace process such as the BIMP-EAGA partnership should be encouraged," Teodoro said.

Independent candidate Nicanor Perlas, who have spent 20 years of his career in Mindanao, said addressing the sources of conflict would also lead to solving underlying problems caused by them.

"Internal displacement is part of our plight and these were caused by 3 sources: the private armies, Muslim rebellion, and communist rebellion. Other problems associated to the three are conflict in areas with mining, fishing, and the non-proliferation of multiculturalism," Perlas said.

Brother Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas Party argued there has been an absence of justice in the way the government dealt with Mindanao. "By showing there is genuine sincerity from the government the possibility of an area sharing the income from the use of natural resources should be explored and to create a genuine national peace commission," Villanueva said.

John Carlos delos Reyes of Kapatiran Party emphasized that conflict can be solved in a year as long as there is sincerity from the government. "To do that would be to break paradigms by forming a government made up of leaders who aspire for peace," said Delos Reyes the youngest of all candidates.

On the disarmament of private armies and warlordism, Madrigal yet again did not hesitate to badmouth the administration.

"Warlords were created for the trapos who cheated during the past elections and after delivering 100 percent of voted the Ampatuans were free to do what they wanted. That has been a failure of the administration, the failure of the Department of Defense. The existence of these warlords is an indication of the corrupt government under the Arroyo administration. Warlords should be put in jail if not cut their heads," Madrigal said.

In reply, Teodoro said the problem "should be dealt realistically."

"For sustainable operations, the national and local stakeholders should work with each other. Realistically speaking we should choose where to dismantle. Local councils should take lead and work with authorities so the problem does not recur," he said.

Delos Reyes protested saying the issue is "clearly misunderstood."

"The Ampatuans were used by the Arroyo government to go against the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) that's why they have the arms. But as they gathered power around them they became abusive they were tagged as rebels. There is clearly something wrong with how the government deals with its problems but it remains they are responsible to what Mindanao is dealing with now," Delos Reyes said.

The presidentiables also faced queries on Mindanao power energy, mining, preservation of multiple cultures, internally displaced people, and a Mindanao agenda for the next administration if they are elected.

After the forum, the organizers arranged for a manifesto signing in which the presidentiables gives their word "to follow election campaign rules and supports peaceful elections."

Said forum was also organized by the Mindanao Business Council, Southern Philippines Tourism Council, and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants. (Jade C. Zaldivar)