What keeps on popping up like Trojan virus is the unresolved item -- the demand of the MILF for an additional 600 barangays to be added to the Bangsa Moro Juridical Entity.
The government panel has agreed but Malacañang says it has to reckon with the constitution, which mandates that this issue with such overwhelming import must be decided by plebiscite.
The MILF does not want this exercise and even throw the blame on Oppap Secretary Jesus Dureza for not pushing for what the GRP panel has agreed with the MILF counterpart.
I believe that while the peace panels have some degree of authority, vital issues, like delicate items in the so-called 'consensus points' are still referred to higher authority which shall sieve through the legal implication for final imprimatur.
In the early part of the peace talks in Kuala Lumpur, the MILF panel, which was then headed by Al Haj Murad Ibrahim, has to refer every item that is taken up during the talks to then MILF Chairman Hashim Salamat. That's all there is to it and I think it is part of the process.
In the light of the announcement of Malaysia that it will pull out its volunteers in the International Monitoring Teams (IMT), it will be good for the health of everybody to just keep cool. Malaysia has developed fatigue and we cannot blame them. I think that there are other countries with proven experience in mediation that can play the role.
It is not good for other bystanders, among them non-government organizations, to fan intrigues like putting the blame of stalled negotiations either on the government or the MILF.
The search for peace is never that easy. Our consolation is that we are so near the end of the tunnel and with only a minute issue on ancestral domain to be resolved, we will soon see the dawn of a new day of hope, unity and peace.
This is a crucial stage and there will be elements with insidious motive that will derail it.
Chairman Murad and Secretary Dureza must shield themselves from these characters who do not want to live in an atmosphere of peace. In his time, Chairman Salamat defied growing anti-American sentiment and personally wrote to President George Bush to intervene in the resolution of the conflict in Mindanao. It was unfortunate that the venerable leader died unexpectedly. But then Chairman Murad pursued the talks. It was not an easy task but I feel that given a little more time peace will be achieved.
What is important for now is to keep the fingers off the trigger since the ceasefire is holding firm. The isolated hostilities that had happened so far are between clans and tribes, which the government peacekeeping forces have properly addressed. There had been armed conflicts in the island provinces of Sulu and Basilan but these were between government forces and fragments of terrorist groups.
It maybe controversial for now but I am confident that there is a key to resolving the controversial issue of ancestral domain. Professor Michael Mastura who sits with the MILF panel said they will respect prior rights of settlers or pioneers in their ancestral domain. They may or may not join the BJE. This may sound simplistic but coming from Professor Mastura I am confident that happy compromises will be arrived at especially when the weapons of war are locked in the arsenals.
Anyway, should the peace talks drag on, there is the prospect of Charter change now in the offing. We just have to actively support the shift to federalism. I am sure that with a clear constitutional mandate, our Bangsa Moro brothers can proceed to charter their own course. For a healthy exchange on the subject, email me at scledesmajr@yahoo.com.
