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Tuesday, September 05, 2006
1996 RP-Moro group peace pact 'forgotten'
DAVAO CITY -- The peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is now almost forgotten, said former chair Nur Misuari.
Misuari said several years after the final peace agreement was signed between the Philippine government and the MNLF, things agreed on were set aside that "we have to take guns just to resuscitate it."
The peace agreement was signed on September 2, 1996 between then peace panel chair ambassador Manuel Yan and Misuari.
Misuari said the peace agreement has yet to end the war and misery of the MNLF in Mindanao.
"I think everyone understands that at this point in time very few among us still believe that the peace agreement is still alive and kicking," Misuari said during the commemoration program for the 10th anniversary of the peace pact at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Saturday.
Misuari brushed off pronouncements by government that peace in Mindanao is at hand.
"You don't impose peace in Mindanao. We will not allow you. We will reject it," he said.
Misuari said if the government wants peace, it should respect the role of the Muslims, Lumads, and Christians in Mindanao.
"Let the people in Mindanao, Christians, Lumads, Muslims come together and spearhead the peace process. No laws can solve this peace problem, only the people from Mindanao" Misuari said.
Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita agreed to Misuari's request to suggest the formation of a party that will include representatives from the government, MNLF, and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and allow it to attend a tripartite meeting for peace talk at Jedah.
Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Jesus Dureza said the government, MNLF, and OIC would meet sometime in November to review the peace agreement and draft a catch-up plan in order to implement provisions that were not complied with.
Dureza said the catch-up plan would also cover the MNLF warriors who were not integrated into the Armed Forces. (BRQ of Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
(September 5, 2006 issue)
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