T'bolis welcome delineation of ancestral domain, but fear resistance from landowners

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - The Tiboli Manobo S'daf Claimants Organization (TAMASCO) expressed relief when, after a long wait, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) finally started the perimeter survey delineating their ancestral domain claim including portions of the coffee plantation of owned by the Consunji clan in South Cotabato province.

Victor Danyan, TAMASCO chairperson said, “we have waited so long for the survey to start in order to fast-track the approval of CADT or Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title.”

TAMASCO is claiming as their ancestral domain an estimated 6,000 hectares of lands, which included a large portion of the coffee plantation in the hinterlands bordering the villages of Ned in Lake Sebu town and Santo Nino in Bagumbayan in Sultan Kudarat province.

The NCIP is the primary government agency that formulates and implements policies, plans and programs for the recognition, promotion and protection of the rights and well-being of Indigenous Peoples and the recognition of their ancestral domains and their rights.

But TAMASCO members fear that security personnel of Silvicultural Industries Incorporated (SII) would sabotage the delineation after one of its members was allegedly harassed on January 31 while on his way home from an organizational meeting.

In a report by the organization, Akilis Anaw, TAMASCO coordinator, was reportedly accosted by three armed men wearing camouflage uniform at around 5 p.m. along the boundary of Sitio Segowit and Sitio Tuburan, all of the village Ned. One was identified as Tikboy Kinilis, head of SII security manning the coffee plantation, a certain Johnny and one unidentified man, armed with M14 high powered rifle each.

The report said Kinilis asked for the whereabouts of the survey team which conducted delineation mapping in neighboring areas from January 20 to 30 and told Anaw that the areas inside the plantation should not be included. “He said that they are ready to die if survey will be conducted in the plantation,” Anaw quoted Kinilis as saying.

The Legal Rights Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan/ Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC-KsK/FOE) Davao Regional Office, which has been assisting TAMASCO communities since 2000, urged authorities to look into the issue and ensure that the perimeter survey will be completed soon.

“With the start of the official delineation of their ancestral domain, the T'bolis will definitely earn the ire of the Consunjis. The NCIP should be able to address as well the security of the communities," said Erwin Quinones, campaigns paralegal of the LRC-Davao. “On the other hand, the NCIP should recognize the urgency of the delineation process.”

TAMASCO's claim forms part of an application for Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) covering an estimated 16,000 hectares of land by T'boli Ubo Claimants Organization (TUCO).

The Tri-Peoples Concern for Peace, Progress and Development of Mindanao, Inc (TRICOM) and LRC has been assisting in the processing of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) of TUCO filed in 1999.

MILF Blames Arroyo For Failed Peace Talks, Territorial Deal In South RP

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 4, 2008) – Philippine Muslim rebels on Thursday blamed Manila for the failed peace negotiations and accused President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on the territorial deal.

Mohagher Iqbal, chief peace negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said Arroyo is to blame if fighting resumes in Mindanao. “We have nothing to blame but the Philippine government if war breaks out in Mindanao,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

Arroyo on Wednesday dissolved the government panel negotiating peace with the MILF, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group. She earlier scrapped the ancestral domain deal that peace negotiators initially signed in July 27 in Malaysia, which was brokering the talks.

The Supreme Court stopped the formal signing of the accord on August 5 after government spokesmen said Arroyo was not informed and unaware about the territorial deal.

The ancestral domain deal would have granted some four million Muslims their own homeland in more than 700 villages across Mindanao, whose 21 million populations are mostly Christians and indigenous tribes.

But Iqbal said the President knew about the ancestral domain deal long before it was initially signed in Kuala Lumpur because the issue had been tackled many times since last year by the Cluster E.

“The President knew everything about the ancestral domain agreement and other important developments as far as the peace talks were concerned. President Arroyo had been informed about anything that has something to do with the peace process,” Iqbal said.

“They also wanted us to sign the peace agreement, but we declined because there are more important things to talk about as far as the Mindanao problems are concerned.”

“The memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain had been tackled many times since last year with the Cluster E and as a matter of fact they rushed the signing of the ancestral domain deal because President Arroyo wanted it included in her state of the nation address in July 28,” Iqbal said.

Cluster E refers to the cabinet Cluster for Political and Security Affairs that routinely advised Arroyo on national security matters. Its members included the National Security Council, National Defense, Foreign Affairs, Justice and Finance secretaries.

Arroyo, in her state of the nation address, said: “A comprehensive peace has eluded us for half a century. But last night, differences on the tough issue of ancestral domain were resolved. Yes, there are political dynamics among the people of Mindanao. Let us sort them out with the utmost sobriety, patience and restraint. I ask Congress to act on the legislative and political reforms that will lead to a just and lasting peace during our term of office.”

Iqbal said the ancestral domain deal is considered final. “It has been initialed already and the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain deal, as what we have repeatedly said in the past, is a done deal. We will not negotiate anymore what has been already agreed by the peace panels,” he said.

Iqbal said the peace talks are now in "purgatory".

The Malaysian news agency Bernama also quoted Michael Mastura, a member of the MILF peace panel, as saying that the scrapping of the government peace panel has little bearing on the Muslim homeland lead.

“Our position on this is very clear that it's a done deal. Under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, there's a provision which states that status of initialing is as good as signature. But whether they comply with it or not is a different story,” he said.

Mastura said they were still awaiting official notice from the peace talks secretariat in Kuala Lumpur about the scrapping of the government peace panel. “We have expected this and we have our contingency plan. We will deliberate on it,” he said.

The MILF on Wednesday said it would continue with its armed struggle in Mindanao should the peace talks totally collapse.

The government's announcement came two weeks after MILF commanders Ameril Kato and Abdurahman Macapaar led hundreds of rebels in separate attacks on the provinces in Mindanao. Dozens of people were brutally killed in the raid.

Arroyo opened peace talks with the MILF in 2001, but since then nothing significant had been signed except for the ancestral domain agreement. But the homeland deal sparked a series of protests from politicians and residents who were opposed to the inclusion of their areas to the agreement that will make up the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.

Arroyo has shifted in the basic premise of the government's peace effort after hundreds of rebels under Ameril Kato and Abdurahman Macapaar led a series of attacks in the provinces in Mindanao that killed dozens of civilians.

Manila also demanded the rebels to lay down their weapons before peace talks can resume. This was rejected by the MILF.

Last year, peace talks were also stalled after Manila reneged on the ancestral domain deal. Malaysia, which is brokering the peace talks, has pulled out its truce observers deployed in Mindanao after blaming the Arroyo government of stalling the seven-year old negotiations.

Manila said previously that it would pursue a proposal by Senator Aquilino Pimentel to put up a federal government and divide the Philippines into eleven states.

Pimentel proposed four federal states in Luzon, three in the Visayas and three more in Mindanao.

Arroyo's allies in Congress have earlier proposed to amend the Constitution to change the system of government from presidential to parliamentary or federalism.

But militant groups and political activists have repeatedly accused Arroyo of using the peace talks with the MILF to amend the Constitution and eventually prolong her to stay into power.

Under the presidential form of government, Arroyo is allowed only one six-year term. In the charter change proposal suggested by her political allies who dominate Congress, she can be elected as prime minister should Congress dissolve the Senate and change the system of government to parliamentary and eventually prolong her into power beyond 2010.

Arroyo deposed President Joseph Estrada in a people power revolution in 2001, but corruption scandals in her government and allegations of poll fraud in 2004 has made her extremely unpopular. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippines Abandons Homeland Deal With Muslim Rebels

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 29, 2008) – Manila on Friday said it is abandoning the homeland deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, but would still pursue peace talks with the Philippine’s largest Muslim rebel group, officials said.

Government and rebel peace negotiators last month have initially signed the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain. But the Supreme Court stopped the signing of the deal after some lawmakers and politicians opposed to the accord filed separate petitions, saying, there were no public consultations.

The accord would have granted Muslims their own homeland in more than 700 villages across Mindanao, but the deal also sparked a series of protests from politicians and residents opposed to the inclusion of their areas to the agreement that will make up the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.

President Gloria Arroyo, who opened peace talks with the MILF in 2001, has shifted in the basic premise of the government's peace effort after hundreds of rebels under Ameril Kato and Abdurahman Macapaar led a series of attacks in the provinces in Mindanao that killed dozens of civilians.

“The focus of our talks shall shift from the armed groups to the communities. The parameters governing our negotiations shall be a balance between the constitutionality and public sentiment,” Arroyo said.

Arroyo said the change in the government's approach to end the Mindanao conflict was prompted by the atrocities committed by the MILF attacks.

Hermogenes Esperon, the presidential peace adviser, said the government will longer sign the ancestral domain deal. “We will not sign the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain, but will continue with further negotiations with the MILF to arrive at final peace deal,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

Esperon earlier said the ancestral domain deal is not self-executing and that there is a need for future discussions as peace negotiators frame the comprehensive peace agreement.

The MILF said it will not anymore negotiate the ancestral domain agreement because peace negotiators have already initialed the deal.

“It is already a done deal and we have been saying this all the time. We will not revisit or renegotiate the agreement on the ancestral domain,” Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader, said in a separate interview.

Kabalu said the MILF leadership will have to decide what steps to take after Manila abandoned the Muslim homeland deal. “It is really unfortunate that the Philippine government again reneged on the ancestral domain deal which is the product of long and arduous work of the peace negotiators,” he said.

He said the MILF will not abandon its fight for self-determination. “Our right to self-determination is non-negotiable,” he said. Last year, peace talks also stalled after government negotiators approved the Muslim homeland deal only to reneged it later.

Esperon said granting of independence is not and never was the intent of peace talks. He said it was the same position made by President Gloria Arroyo in her May 6 letter to Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi when the government peace panel and MILF were discussing the peace process.

Government peace negotiators and Arroyo's political allies have earlier proposed to amend the Constitution to change the system of government from presidential to parliamentary or federalism to allow the MILF to have a separate state.

Militant groups and political activists have repeatedly accused Arroyo of using the peace talks with the MILF to amend the Constitution and eventually prolong her to stay into power.

Under the presidential form of government, Arroyo is allowed only one six-year term. In the charter change proposal suggested by her political allies who dominate Congress, she can be elected as prime minister should Congress dissolve the Senate and change the system of government to parliamentary and eventually prolong her into power beyond 2010.

Arroyo deposed President Joseph Estrada in a people power revolution in 2001, but corruption scandals in her government and allegations of poll fraud in 2004 has made her extremely unpopular among many Filipinos.

Manila’s announcement coincided with fresh government assaults on suspected rebel strongholds in Maguindanao and Lanao del Norte provinces, where security forces are pursuing the groups of Kato and Macapaar.

Kabalu said military forces fired cannons and rockets and bombed MILF targets in the provinces in the guise of pursuing the two rogue rebel leaders. “They are attacking us and MILF forces have been ordered to defend themselves,” he said.

Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, a spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the assaults targeted rogue rebels. “This is a punitive action against rogue MILF members and this operation will continue until Kato and Macapaar are captured,” he said.

Manila demanded the MILF to surrender peacefully the two rogue commanders, now wanted by authorities, to face trial over the killings of civilians in the provinces of North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao where rebel forces pillaged villages. Rebels launched the attacks after the aborted signing of the controversial ancestral domain agreement.

The influential Organization of the Islamic Conference condemned the rebel attacks. (Mindanao Examiner)

World Forum For Democratization In Asia Issues Statement On Mindanao Peace Process

Never give up on peace!

The Mindanao conflict has reached another crossroads in its long history.

After years of difficult negotiations, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) reached a Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), which was intended to be a major breakthrough in the peace process.

However, the document raised both serious concerns as well as high expectations among various communities in Mindanao and Sulu, as well as the nation at large. The abortive signing, following the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court, then triggered local conflicts in two areas of Central Mindanao, raising tensions across the region.

In response, the World Forum for Democratization in Asia (WFDA) and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC- SEA) sent a Solidarity Mission to Mindanao from August 24-28. Consisting of 11 international and 8 Filipino members, the mission met a wide variety of stakeholders in two regions. One team visited Central Mindanao, and the second Western Mindanao and Sulu.

As civil society organizations, we approached this mission based on two fundamental principles. First, we affirm all human rights for all peoples in Mindanao and Sulu, notably the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro people as well as that of the indigenous peoples. Second, we reject all forms of violence, and insist on non-violent and democratic solutions to political conflict, as in the words of Nobel Peace Laureate and Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi: "It is no longer acceptable to resolve political disputes through the use of force."
The following are our initial findings and recommendations:

The specter of war hangs over Mindanao once again. Active hostilities have reignited in two areas in the heartland of the conflict, while most of the island, as well as the Sulu Archipelago, are still in a state of relative calm (despite ongoing military operations in Sulu, which sadly have become a part of life for the people there). However, tensions are rising, and the danger of expansion of the conflict is significant. Therefore, we call for urgent measures to contain the conflict, to prevent its spread or its transformation into a communal conflict. Among these, we may cite:

The extension of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), which has performed well up to the present crisis, and which even now is maintaining the ceasefire in most of its coverage area. Both the GRP and MILF should move immediately to invite the IMT to continue its work, rather than pulling out on August 31. Moreover, the IMT should if anything be strengthened in mandate and resources. For example, the IMT could play a key role in supervising an investigation into the recent outbreak of fighting in Central Mindanao.

Likewise, the Joint Coordination Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities (JCCCH) should also be maintained and strengthened. It is notable that the ceasefire continues to hold between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and 14 of 17 MILF base commands, and the JCCCH is maintaining useful channels of communication between the two sides.

All combatants must adhere strictly to international humanitarian law (IHL). Both the MILF and AFP must implement effective enforcement measures, in order to ensure that impunity will not be allowed for any of their officers who violate IHL.

We view with extreme concern the arming of civilians, which is under way in at least some areas. Untrained and poorly organized civilians cannot meaningfully contribute to genuine security, but will only raise the risks of escalation of conflict. The duty to protect the populace lies with state institutions such as the AFP and the Philippines National Police (PNP).

Therefore, we call on the national government and local governments to cease as well as to publicly discourage any such arming. In this regard, we welcome the assurance of North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Pinol on August 27, reiterated publicly the same day, that he will not condone or allow any attacks by Christian vigilantes (ilaga) against Muslim civilians. At the same time, overt calls to "defend yourselves" muddle this otherwise positive message.
The debate over the MOA-AD has revealed the unacceptable and dangerous levels of prejudice and discrimination against the Moro people and the religion of Islam. This demonstrates the need for sensitive, nuanced, and culturally aware communication to deepen mutual understanding and also to recognize legitimate needs and rights.

Public figures, notably political leaders, must be much more restrained in their language, especially the use of inflammatory comments like "all-out war." Likewise, we call on all media, both national and international, to practice responsible journalism. We encourage media to accept their social responsibility as a crucial part of whole nation and important player in the democratization process. In a conflict situation, careless or sensational reporting can be a matter of life and death – editorial decisions cannot be made based on purely commercial considerations. We note with concern credible reports that images from previous periods of conflict have sometimes been used in coverage of the recent events.

With regard to the MOA- AD, there is clearly an urgent need for much more intensive consultations among all the affected communities. These consultations should not only explain the content of the MOA- AD, but also its historical context, and its implications for ordinary people's lives.

Finally, we are encouraged by the many civil society initiatives that are aimed at strengthening trust and understanding between all communities. Many of the civil society organizations that we visited are making heroic efforts to respond to the current crisis. We may specifically cite the initiative led by the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society to translate and popularize the MOA- AD at the grassroots, the "Ginapaladtaka" group of barangays working to maintain communal harmony, and the leading role played by women in Sulu in promoting peace education and indigenous solutions to conflict resolution.

In conclusion, we reaffirm our solidarity with the all the peoples of Mindanao and Sulu, Christian Muslim, and Lumad. In particular, we are inspired by courage of the victims of the conflict, the women, children, and powerless members of society who, in the face of so many difficulties, have not given up the hope for peace. In their honor, we will continue to work together with our dedicated partners in the Philippines and around the region for genuine and sustainable peace, democracy, and human rights.

MILF Peace Talks Breaking Apart, Fighting Continues In Southern Philippines

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 23, 2008) – Hope of resuming the peace talks between the Arroyo government and the Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, remains dim as fierce fighting continued Saturday in Mindanao.

The Philippine military said at least 100 rebels were killed since early this week in the skirmishes in central Mindanao. But the MILF disputed the military report, saying, only 7 rebels died in the fighting.

“As far as the military is concerned, we have reports to prove that more than rebels were killed in the fighting,” Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, a spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, told the Mindanao Examiner.

“It trash, that’s military propaganda and only seven of our members were killed, but we can say that dozens of government soldiers perished in the fighting,” Eid Kabalu, a senior rebel leader, said by phone from his base in Mindanao.

He said fighting between rebel and military forces were raging in the towns of Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Datu Piang, all in Maguindanao province.

Ando said three soldiers were killed and 23 more wounded in the battles since Monday. He said there is an ongoing military offensive aimed at capturing two notorious MILF commanders Ameril Kato and Abdurahman Macapaar.

“We have done our best to embrace peace, but the MILF started the hostilities by pillaging villages and murdering innocent civilians in Mindanao. We are now implementing the full force of the law and we will arrest those responsible for the traitorous attacks against civilians,” Ando said.

The two rogue commanders led a series of attacks recently in the provinces that killed dozens of people, mostly civilians, but the MILF claimed most of those were militias fighting the rebels.

Former army chief Romeo Tolentino, now a senior member of the National Security Council, also criticized leftist human rights organizations and the Communist Party of the Philippines, including the National Democratic Front, which had previously accused soldiers of human rights violations in Mindanao.

“All these groups, which have been so noisy in the past about human rights issues suddenly, are silent about the atrocities committed by the MILF rebels.

This clearly shows that these organizations are also terrorists which have no respect for human lives, security and welfare of the people,” he said.

The Amnesty International also accused the MILF of human rights violations.
“MILF units that targeted villages have engaged in serious violations of international law and should be held to account,” said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Director.

Over 160,000 people were displaced by the fighting that broke out this week in North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat. The number of war refugees is increasing as the exodus of civilians continues in Maguindanao and other neighboring areas.

Because of the hostilities, some politicians had urged villagers to arm and defend themselves from rebel attacks. Armed militias were also deployed to guard their communities against further atrocities.

Zarifi said the deployment civilian militias can set off a chain of reprisals.

“Experience from around the world shows that the deployment of civilian militias can set off a chain of reprisals and only increases the danger facing civilians.”

“All sides to this conflict should step back from the brink and demonstrate their commitment to avoid harming civilians. The MILF must control its forces, and the Philippine government should take responsibility for the security of all peoples in the Philippines, regardless of religion or ethnicity,” he said.

The rebels launched attacks after the aborted signing of the Muslim homeland deal between the MILF and Manila. The accord would have granted Muslims their own separate state in more than 700 villages across Mindanao, but it also sparked a series of protests from mostly Christian politicians and residents opposed to the inclusion of their areas to the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.

The Supreme Court stopped the signing of the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain after some lawmakers and politicians filed separate petitions asking the government to bare the rest of the deal with the MILF.

Manila also demanded the MILF to peacefully surrender Kato and Macapaar.

But the secluded chieftain of the MILF, Murad Ebrahim, said they will not surrender the two rogue commanders and warned that an all-war is inevitable if the peace talks with Manila fail.

“We cannot subject our members to the laws of the government,” Murad said, insisting that the MILF is a revolutionary organization.

Murad said government forces have indiscriminately attacked Muslim areas while pursuing the groups of Kato and Macapaar. Both MILF leaders and dozens of their followers had been charged in court in connection with the attacks in Mindanao.

Mohagher Iqbal, the chief MILF peace negotiator, also said that war could break out in Mindanao if fighting does not stop. “This is grim scenario and I don’t even want to think about it, but if the peace talks collapse then there will be war again in Mindanao,” he said in a separate phone interview.

Iqbal blamed hawkish faction in the Arroyo government and Christian politicians opposed to the Muslim homeland to the fighting in Mindanao. “The voice of reason is dwarfed by the voice of hatred and prejudice. The peace talks are slowly breaking apart and if this continues, may God help us all,” he said.

Iqbal said the MILF will not any more negotiate the Muslim homeland deal with the Manila. “The ancestral domain agreement is a done deal because we have already initialed the accord during our meeting in Malaysia last month,” he said.

Malaysia, a member of the influential Organization of Islamic Conference, is brokering the peace talks between the Philippines and the MILF. But Kuala Lumpur already withdrew most of its truce observers deployed in Mindanao after accusing Manila of stalling the peace talks. (Mindanao Examiner)

House Speaker: Do Not Dismember Country

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 21, 2008) – Philippine House Speaker Prospero Nograles rejected proposals to dismember the country as the issue on the controversial Muslim ancestral domain stalled the government’s peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Security forces were pursuing hundreds of MILF rebels led by Ameril Kato and Abdurahman Macapaar, blamed by authorities for the deadly attacks in Mindanao that left at least three dozen people dead.

The MILF, which is currently negotiating peace with Manila, said the rebels were disgruntled over the failure of the peace negotiators to formally sign the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain that would eventually grant some 4 million Muslims a separate homeland in Mindanao.

The Supreme Court temporarily stopped the August 5 signing of the accord after politicians and lawmakers opposed to the deal filed a petition to force Manila to make public the provisions of the agreement. Once the deal is signed, a plebiscite would follow in areas covered by the ancestral domain, but there is a need to amend the Constitution to allow referendum.

“Peace? Yes! But not at the expense of our constitutional processes and territorial sovereignty,” Nograles said.

President Gloria Arroyo has ordered security forces to capture Kato and Macapaar’s groups.

Nograles said he is supporting Arroyo’s order to the military and police to pursue the perpetrators of violence and terrorism in Mindanao. “Why escalate violence and terrorism if they (MILF) want peace? Is it still logical and right for the government to continue the peace negotiation with the MILF when its acknowledged leadership could not guarantee complete loyalty of its followers?,” he asked.

At the same time, the House leader, who hails from Davao City, lauded Arroyo’s call for an expanded meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) to find a solution on the latest outbreak of armed conflict in Mindanao.

“Decisions must be made after consultations and that’s the correct move made by our president,” Nograles said, noting that “even as the President has in her command and grasp all the necessary information relative to the Mindanao crisis, the collective wisdom resulting from such consultations is always crucial.

Nograles said the police and the military must remain steadfast to their respective mandates to protect national interest and promote the rule of law with the President as their Commander-in-Chief.

“The military and police must bring to justice those responsible for the violence and terror in several parts of Mindanao and protect civilians and every inch of Philippine sovereignty. That’s their sworn duty,” Nograles said. (Romy Bwaga)

Clashes Continue In Mindanao, Peace Deal With MILF Canceled

LANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 21, 2008) – Sporadic fighting between government soldiers and Muslim rebels Thursday in the southern Philippines.

At least 4 soldiers were injured in the fighting in North Cotabato’s Midsayap town and clashes were also reported in several towns in Maguindanao province. Seven rebels were also killed in the clashes.

The fighting broke out as troops hunted two notorious commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Ameril Umra Kato and Abduhraman Macapaar, both blamed for recent attacks in North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces that left at least three dozen civilians dead, many brutally murdered.

Manila demanded the MILF to surrender Kato and Macapaar and has offered P10 million bounties for their capture. But MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim flatly rejected the demand, saying, he ordered an investigation into the involvements of Kato and Macapaar in the deadly attacks.

The military said 31 followers of Macapaar, who took part in the attacks, have surrendered late Wednesday and accused their leader of massacring innocent civilians.

“They surrendered because they could no longer take the inhuman instructions and atrocities committed by Commander Bravo,” said Army Brig. Gen. Hilario Atendido, commander of a military task force.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said the government will not return to the peace talks unless the MILF surrenders the two wanted rebel commanders. Criminal charges have been filed against Kato and Macapaar.

“We should expect him to surrender and bring to government the two commanders who are clearly responsible for these acts. Nothing short of that is acceptable to government," Dureza said in a radio interview, referring to the MILF chieftain.

“We cannot make peace at the expense of the people who have been massacred. The responsible people should answer to the law,” Dureza said.

President Gloria Arroyo also cancelled the agreement on the ancestral domain deal with the MILF after some of its provisions were found to be unconstitutional. The ancestral domain deal would have granted a separate homeland for about 4 million Muslims in the southern Philippines.

The Supreme Court stopped the formal signing of the accord August 5 after politicians and lawmakers opposed to the deal filed their petitions and asking Manila to make public the rest of the agreement.

“The cancellation of the memorandum of agreement is a painful step in our collective effort to come to an agreement with the MILF,” Lorelei Fajardo, a government spokesperson, said.

“She will seek a new agreement within the boundaries of law set within the constitution. Furthermore, the president will not allow adventurism by MILF forces to pressure government to sign any agreement even if it is for peace.”

Mohagher Iqbal, chief MILF peace negotiator, said his group will not renegotiate the ancestral domain agreement. “It is already a done deal, we have already initialed the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain. We will not revisit or renegotiate the agreement,” he said.

But despite the deal, there is still a need to amend the Constitution to allow plebiscite on areas under the ancestral domain that would make up the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity and give Muslims their own homeland.

Ancestral domain is the single most important issue in the peace negotiations before the rebel group can reach a political settlement with the Philippine government.

It covers the whole of the Muslim autonomous region – Sulu, Tawi-Tawi-, Basilan, Maguindanao and Lanao, including Marawi City. And some areas in Zamboanga Peninsula, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces in Mindanao where there are large communities of Muslims and indigenous tribes. And also Palawan Island, off Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

Working For A Just And lasting Peace

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Senator Asks High Court To Stop Signing Of Muslim Homeland Deal

Senator Mar Roxas shows documents he filed at the Supreme Court to stop the Arroyo government from pushing through with the controversial agreement on Muslim ancestral domain.

MANILA, Philippines (August 11, 2008) - Senator Mar Roxas, President of the Liberal Party, on Monday asked the Supreme Court to stop the government from pushing through with the controversial GRP-MILF Peace Panel Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on Ancestral Domain tagged by opponents within Mindanao as a trigger for war and violence in the region.

“Nagsalita ang taumbayan at hindi sila papayag na basta na lang matsa-chop-chop ang bansa natin gawa nitong MoA na produkto ng pamimilit at panloloko,” Roxas said after filing the motion for intervention at the Supreme Court in Manila.

“Nais ko ng kapayapaan sa Mindanao, pero hindi sa pa-traydor na paraan gaya ng ginawa ng mga negosyador ng ating pamahalaan.”

Roxas pointed out that the MoA violated the Constitution because it creates another “state” within the Philippines.

“Malinaw na malinaw sa unang pahina pa lang ng Konstitusyon ang hangganan ng ating teritoryo. Hindi ito pwedeng magbago sa sabi lang ng peace panel. Ni isang beses sa buong MoA ay nabanggit ang Konstitusyon sa MoA na ito,” he said in a statement.

He said the country had so much to lose if the MoA as crafted would be implemented.

“Matagal na nang ninanais nating lahat, mas lalo ang mga taga-Mindanao, ng kapayapaan at katahimikan. Ngunit paano magkakaroon ng kapayapaan, kung ang kasunduan mismo ay hindi dumaan sa konsultasyon ng mga maaapektuhan nito?” he said.

“We are for peace, but not for ‘peace at any price,’ not peace with a gun to our heads. If there is a peace agreement, it must go through the proper procedures and consultations not just between the government and the MILF but with the citizens of Mindanao,” he added.

With Roxas’ filing, he joins the petitions of the people of North Cotabato represented by their Governor Jesus Sacdalan and Vice-Governor Emmanuel Piñol, and the people of Zamboanga City represented by Mayor Celso Lobregat and Reps. Maria Isabelle Climaco and Erico Fabian. The petitioners were granted a temporary restraining order on the MoA on August 4, a day before it was scheduled for signing.

Filipino Bishops "Satisfied" With Halting Of Agreement With Moro Islamic Liberation Front

MANILA, Philippines (AsiaNews / August 7, 2008) - The Filipino bishops are welcoming with "satisfaction" the Supreme Court's decision to block the signing of the agreement between the government and troops of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which would have set the boundaries of an autonomous, Muslim majority zone in Mindanao (the ARMM).

Dinualdo Gutierrez, bishop of Marbel, emphasizes that "the right decision" has been made, because not everyone "knows the content" of the agreement and the consequences it could have.
This position is also supported by the bishop of Digos, Guillermo Afable, according to whom it is not possible to rule out "fresh episodes of violence". Neither of the prelates is concealing his "concern", and the two are launching accusations against the administration of President Arroyo and the MILF, held guilty of wanting to "expand the territory of the ARMM without thoroughly weighing" the opinions of "Christians and Muslims", who are directly affected by the agreement.

Bishop Afable stresses that "a lot of people, particularly those in Mindanao, don’t know about the MoA [memorandum of agreement]", and he calls upon the government to clarify the main points "to prevent trouble” or sharpened tensions and conflicts.

He is echoed by Bishop Gutierrez, according to whom "the Philippines is a participatory democracy. All stakeholders should have been consulted". He recalls that "five provinces are against [the signing of the memorandum]", which is increasingly becoming a source of division.

Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, president of the public affairs commission of the Filipino bishops conference, emphasizes that the government should have "published a draft of the agreement" before its possible signing, because the contents concern "Christians and Muslims", and are a decisive element for peaceful coexistence between the two.

Accusations against the government are, finally, coming from the archbishop of Zamboanga, Romulo Valles, according to whom "not even the citizens affected by the MoA know anything about its contents".

According to some experts, the real reason why the government is pushing for the signing of the agreement is President Arroyo's desire to "win approval" in view of the 2010 elections, using the peace agreement as a calling card for confirmation as the country's leader.

On Tuesday, July 5, in Kidapawan, in north Cotabato, more than 5,000 people participated in a protest demonstration against the failure to involve the people in the drafting of the agreement; wearing red T-shirts and headbands, they expressed their disagreement with "the annexation of various villages in north Cotabato, in the territory of Bangsamoro".

The previous day, a group of MILF rebels launched a dozen mortar rounds against government soldiers in the southern Philippines, ignoring the cease-fire order issued by the leaders of the guerrilla group.(Santosh Digal)

Moro Group Urges Govt To Educate Public On Bangsamoro Juridical Entity

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (August 7, 2008) - Moro militant group said government has the responsibility to explain and educate the public on the issue of Moro people's claim to ancestral domain.

Amirah Lidasan, national president of Suara Bangsamoro said in a statement that it is the responsibility of the government to correct the pervading notion that the Moro people are out to forcibly take the lands of the Christian settlers and the Lumads.

Lidasan said government should provide venue to the people to discuss the issue of ancestral domain and land rights of the people of Mindanao before the Memorandum of Understanding-Ancestral Domain signing.

She said the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) is the Moro people's way of correcting historical injustice mentioning the decades of massive forcible evacuation and various human rights violations against the Moro people wrought by the government policies such as all-out wars, military operations and the accumulation of lands by the few business and landed elite families affecting Christians, Lumads and Moros alike.

Lidasan also stressed that even the settlers and lumads in Mindanao also lost their lands due to the same reasons.

Lidasan sees the importance of including the people to the peace process or any agreement that government entered into.

"The decision of which and how many villages should be included in the Moro people's territorial claims should not solely be at the hands of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo or be limited at the negotiating table of the GRP-MILF peace talks," Lidasan said.

However, the Supreme Court's issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) impedes the signing of MOA-AD scheduled today at Putrajaya, Malaysia. This development is a victory to the opposing groups on the inclusion of the 735 predominantly Moro areas on the BJE.

Protesters against the BJE in Iligan and Zamboanga City and North Cotabato are gaining confidence to win the battle. But Cotabato vice-governor Emmanuel Pinol said that their victory is just a temporary therefore, the battle against the inclusion of expanded ARMM continues.

Mohager Iqbal said in MILF website Luwaran, they do not consider the TRO as "setback" that could hinder the signing of the already initialed agreement today. He added that the MOA-AD is a done deal. (Sittie Monato)

Peace Advocates In Mindanao Appeal for Sobriety

The extent to which the intense displeasure over the impending signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has already reached an alarming stage. In the last few days we have seen how unarmed civilians from both sides of the conflict have lost properties and even lives due to attacks or harassments by either side.

The current situation has started to re-create social disorder brought about by some hostile posturing both by supporters and opponents of the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE), which is the essence of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain.

With the Supreme Court's issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order on Monday, August 4, to stop the signing of the MOA in Kuala Lumpur, the situation on the ground points to a possible outbreak of war especially in Central Mindanao.

The Inter-Religious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP), as a member of the Mindanao Peaceweavers (MPW), a network of major peace groups and coalitions in Mindanao, appeals for sobriety and urges the parties in conflict to desist from any act that will aggravate the situation.

And more importantly, for both government and MILF to observe and ensure enforcement of the ceasefire agreement at all times.

With the MOA signing stalled by the TRO, now is the most opportune time for government to have an honest to goodness dialogue with its constituents in order to get their acts together and to finally speak with one voice.

The MILF, on the other hand, must all the more demonstrate its resolve and commitment to peace by reigning in all its constituents and prove that indeed it is speaking and doing peace not only in the negotiating table but also on the ground.

We call on our religious leaders to take the moral high ground and be consistent with the religious teachings by serving as bridge builders and provide space for people to discuss the issues at hand more intelligently.

We also urge the government military command in Mindanao to stop the recruitment and training of civilian volunteer organizations (CVOs) and CAFGUs at this critical time when these organizations are mobilized for war-like agenda and interests only.

We most urgently make this appeal to local government executives to refrain from actions and statements that instigate divisiveness and violence out of a fear of the unknown; but, instead bring people together, educate and provide accurate information, address the roots of and manage these conflicts in ways not harmful to people but that which respects diversity and dissenting opinion.

Evidently, the appeal for and resultant TRO by the Supreme Court as well as provisions for Constitutional exercises stipulated in the proposed MOA-AD attest to the democratic and transparent process that dictate the entire negotiation and settlement efforts.

We are calling on both business and academic sectors to serve as links in de-escalating the tension in areas affected by the conflict in Mindanao. For business groups to use their influence on local politicians and be mindful of how wars and conflicts can be bad for business in Mindanao.

And for the academe to provide the venues/fora for information and education among the Moro, Christians and Lumad youths for greater solidarity and understanding.

We are especially making an appeal to the media to ensure responsible reporting and not to fan the emotions of people affected by the conflict that may lead to further deterioration of the situation in Mindanao.

We, peace advocates from Islam and Christian communities and organizations in Zamboanga City, more than ever appeal to all peace-loving Zamboanguenos and Filipinos to give peace a chance. (Adapted from an original draft statement issued by the Mindanao Peaceweavers on August 4, 2008.)

INTER-RELIGIOUS SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT FOR PEACE

Zamboanga City

REV. FR. ANGEL A. CALVO,

CMFR. Catholic Convenor

PROF. ALI T. YACUB

Muslim Convenor

REV. RONALD BILANG

Evangelicals Convenor

Nur Misuari Accuses Manila Anew Of Failing To Honor 12-Year Old Peace Deal

Former Moro National Liberation Front rebel chieftain Nur Misuari is flanked by former MNLF rebels-turned-government soldiers and supporters as they marched to a mosque in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines where he speak to about 200 unarmed followers. Misuari accused the Arroyo government of failing to fully implement the 1996 peace agreement it signed with the MNLF. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 6, 2008) – The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has accused Manila on Wednesday of failing to implement the peace agreement it signed with the former Muslim rebel group more than a decade ago.

“We want freedom from the government. We don’t need a limited freedom,” Nur Misuari, leader of the MNLF who signed the peace deal in 1996, said in Zamboanga City where he met with about 200 former rebels and supporters, some from as far as Davao del Sur province.

“I have gone to all of the most dangerous places in Mindanao to tell our people to pray to almighty Allah for freedom. I call on our people to consolidate their unity and solidarity for freedom,” he said.

Misuari also spoke with his loyal MNLF leaders at the Lantaka hotel in downtown Zamboanga before attending a prayer in the nearby village of Santa Barbara.

Misuari, escorted by former rebels-turned-government soldiers, and supporters chanted “Allahu Akbar” or God is great, as they marched to the village. Security was tight for Misuari and Muslims entering the mosque to pray were frisked by soldiers for weapons.

“We really want our freedom back. The government was not really sincere in implementing the peace agreement it signed with us. We want our freedom and we want independence,” one of Misuari’s supporters, Abdulkadil Imdani told the Mindanao Examiner.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat also met with Misuari and they held a closed door meeting at the Garden Orchid hotel. Zamboanga was previously being claimed as part of the ancestral domain of the MNLF and residents had voted twice against the inclusion of their villages to the Muslim autonomous region.

Lobregat said he told Misuari that Zamboanga is a peaceful city and that residents had rejected two plebiscites in the past. Thousands of residents on Monday also rallied against attempts by Manila to include eight villages in Zamboanga City in the ancestral domain deal it signed last month with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a breakaway faction of the MNLF.

“I have told the (MNLF) Chairman (Nur Misuari) that in Zamboanga, we always live in harmony and we always live in peace. We have no wall between us, we live in harmony and we are in unity, Christians, Muslims and Lumads (indigenous peoples) alike,” Lobregat told reporters.

The Supreme Court temporarily stopped the formal signing Tuesday in Malaysia of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain after Zamboanga City Rep. Erico Fabian and other lawmakers filed a petition on Monday.

The MILF said the agreement was already approved on July 16 in Kuala Lumpur and that Tuesday’s signing was only a formal ceremony. But Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain, which seeks to expand the five-province Muslim autonomous region, will need enabling laws for it to be implemented.

He said the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain is part of a comprehensive peace agreement that Manila and the MILF will have to negotiate and conclude.

Manila is currently negotiating peace with the MILF, now the country’s largest Muslim rebel group which is fighting for a separate homeland in Mindanao.

Misuari said his group has nothing to do with the peace talks between the government and the MILF. “We are not involved in the peace process between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF. We are not part of any agreement between the government and the MILF,” he said, referring to the ancestral domain deal which would make up the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity that would grant Muslims a separate homeland.

“We are not involved (in the peace process). We are not a party to that. We are not bound by any consequences of any peace agreement,” Misuari said.

The MNLF, under Misuari, signed the peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

Under the peace accord, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the South and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

Misuari is now facing rebellion charges after his followers tried, but failed to overrun a major military base in Sulu province and another group held hostage over 100 people in Zamboanga City in 2001 in an attempt to stop the elections in the Muslim autonomous region. He fled to Sabah, his former refuge, but was arrested by the Malaysian authorities and sent back to Manila. Misuari is currently out on bail.

Early this year, the MNLF Central Committee said it removed Misuari as chairman of the former rebel group and installed Muslim Sema, the Front’s Secretary-General. But Misuari insisted that he is still the chieftain of the MNLF and accused Sema, also the mayor of Cotabato City, as traitor and so were those who supported Sema.

Misuari also earned the ire of the Malaysian government after he renewed calls of the claims of the Philippines to Sabah. In retaliation, Sabah Progressive Party President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, furious over the rumblings from Misuari, has called for stricter laws on Filipinos traveling to the oil-rich state.

The Malaysian official also said that the National Security Council should closely watch developments in the southern Philippines. Lee said the NSC and the Sabah State Security Committee should act on the problems brought about by Misuari’s revival of the Sabah claims.

He also urged Kuala Lumpur to suspend the ferry service between Zamboanga and Sandakan and impose bonds on incoming visitors and to require ferry passengers to have return tickets and to step up operations against illegal Filipino immigrants.

The Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo lays claim to Sabah. The Sultanate of Sulu was a Muslim state that ruled over much of the islands off the Sulu Sea. It stretches from a part of the island of Mindanao in the east, to North Borneo, now known as Sabah, in the west and south, and to Palawan, in the north.

The Sultanate of Sulu was founded in 1457 and is believed to exist as a sovereign nation for at least 442 years. The Sultanate of Sulu obtained Sabah from Brunei as a gift for helping put down a rebellion on the Borneo Island.

The British leased Sabah and transferred control over the territory to Malaysia after the end of Second World War. Even after Borneo became part of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur still pays an annual rent of 5,000 ringgit to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu Ismail Kiram.

Misuari said what Malaysia pays to the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo is but a pittance. (Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga City To Resist Inclusion Of 8 Villages To Muslim Ancestral Domain

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat, left, gestures during a news conference while Abdurahman Nuno, a member of the City Council, listen. (City Hall Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 6, 2008) – The Philippines Supreme Court's order to stop the signing of a memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is only the beginning of a long and tedious legal fight to retain the integrity and sovereignty of Zamboanga City, Mayor Celso Lobregat said.

Lobregat said there is much to be done to ensure that Zamboanga will remain intact. “This is only the beginning. In fact, we need more prayers. People from different faiths should be more prayerful than ever,” Lobregat said in a statement posted at the Zamboanga City website.

Lobregat said that the High Court's decision was unprecedented. “Who would have thought the Supreme Court would issue the TRO with such haste and speed?”

“We need divine intervention," Lobregat said, adding, he expects other areas covered by the ancestral domain to also protest the inclusion of their communities to the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, which would make up a separate Islamic homeland in Mindanao.

He said North Cotabato and Sibugay provinces, including the cities of Zamboanga, Iligan and Isabela have strongly opposed the inclusion of their villages to the ancestral domain.

Lobregat said a team of lawyers from the different local governments will be meeting soon in Zamboanga City to map out the next move, before August 15 when the oral arguments on the main petition begin in the Supreme Court.

The High Tribunal ordered asked the government to provide it a copy of the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain not later than August 8.

“The High Court issued the TRO which restrains the respondents (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) from signing the MOA-AD (with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front),” Lobregat said.

Lobregat said the government failed to consult with the locals about the ancestral domain agreement. He said residents reject the inclusion of Zamboanga City villages to the ancestral domain.

He said eight villages, including two from downtown areas, are included in the proposed Muslim homeland. But Presidential peace adviser Hermogenes Esperon said only Sacol, a predominantly Muslim island of six villages, is included in the deal and that a referendum would follow a year later where the islanders would want to be part of a separate Muslim homeland. (Mindanao Examiner)

Muslim Homeland Is A Done Deal, MILF Says

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 5, 2008) – Philippine Muslim rebels on Tuesday said the ancestral domain agreement they signed with government peace negotiators was a done deal despite a court order stopping the formal signing of the accord that would make up a separate Islamic homeland in Mindanao.

“We have initialed the text of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral domain last July 27, 2008. The pact is a done deal. It is binding on the contracting parties who are obliged to refrain from acts that would defeat the object and purpose of their agreement,” said Mohagher Iqbal, chief peace negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

He said the agreement was already signed July 16 in Malaysia, which is brokering the peace talks, although a symbolic signing on Tuesday was cancelled because of the temporary restraining order issued by the Philippines Supreme Court.

The court issued the order after Zamboanga City Rep. Erico Fabian and other lawmakers who were opposed to the signing of the agreement filed a petition on Monday.

North Cotabato Deputy Governor Emmanuel Pinol last week also petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the signing. Pinol is opposing the inclusion of several towns in the province in the ancestral domain which would make up a separate Muslim homeland under the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.

The MILF said the court order has no effect on the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain signed by both peace panels.

“The act of initialing the MOA-AD agreed text between the parties constitutes a signature of the Philippine government and MILF. Initialing was in fact done with a credible third party witness, the Malaysian government as facilitator of the talks since 2001,” he said.

Iqbal said he and Rodolfo Garcia, chief government peace negotiator, and Presidential peace adviser Hemogenes Esperon signed the agreement with Datuk Othman bin Abdulrazak, the chief peace facilitator, for the Malaysian government.

He said the cancelled signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur was a matter of formality, but even without it, the agreement is already a done deal. He said the postponement of the signing would have no effect on the deal. “Nothing. This is not even a setback to the MILF. We are on the upper hand especially in the battle for moral ascendancy,” he said.

Iqbal said court’s TRO only shamed Manila because many dignitaries invited to the affair had to be informed about the cancellation of the signing of the agreement.

“It is the Arroyo administration which is shamed in the eyes of the international community. There are so many ambassadors already in the Malaysian capital to attend the signing ceremony, only to be told that it is cancelled at the last minute,” he said.

Among those already in Kuala Lumpur are US ambassador to the Philippines, Kristie Kenney and Ambassador Sayed ElMasry, adviser to the Organization of Islamic Conference Secretary General and Special Envoy for Peace Process in Southern Philippines.

Sayed ElMasry agreed to officially endorse the ancestral domain agreement, according to Iqbal.

Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader, said the court order will not affect the peace talks and that negotiators are optimistic about the peace process in Mindanao.

“It is already a done deal, the Tuesday signing of the ancestral domain (agreement) is just for formality. We are optimistic with the peace talks and we will pursue the peace process. We want to achieve peace and appeal to everyone to support the talks,” Kabalu said by phone Tuesday in Mindanao.

Peace talks was stalled since September last year after both sides failed to sign any agreement on the most contentious issue — ancestral domain – which refers to the rebel demand for territory that will constitute a Muslim homeland.

Ancestral domain is the single most important issue in the peace negotiations before the rebel group can reach a political settlement with the Philippine government.

The ancestral domain covers the whole of Muslim autonomous region and other areas in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces where there are large communities of Muslims and indigenous tribes, including Iligan, Zamboanga and Isabela cities. And even Palawan province in central Philippines.

Philippine authorities have previously blamed the MILF for the spate of bombings and kidnappings in Mindanao in recent months. The MILF said the attacks were carried out by rebels disgruntled by the slow pace of the talks.

Kabalu said they are optimistic that the talks would lead to a peaceful solution to the Muslim secessionist problems in Mindanao.

President Arroyo opened peace talks with the MILF in 2001 and vowed to forge a peace deal with the rebels before her term ends on 2010.

The MILF is fighting for the establishment of a strict Islamic state in Mindanao Island, whose 18 million populations include about 4 million Muslims.

On Monday, thousands of people in Zamboanga and Iligan rallied against the inclusion of their villages to the ancestral domain. Zamboanga Mayor Celso Lobregat said Muslims and Christians are living peacefully and will not allow the city to be dismembered or become part of the ancestral domain. At least 8 villages in Zamboanga City have been included in the ancestral domain.

Esperon said only the predominantly island of Sacol would be included in the ancestral domain. He said that a plebiscite would be held in areas covered by the ancestral domain which would make up the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.

Peace negotiators last month also signed an agreement in Kuala Lumpur that will empower the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity to build, develop and maintain its own institutions, inclusive of civil service, electoral, financial and banking, education, legislation, legal, economic, police and internal security force, judicial system and correctional institutions necessary for developing a progressive Muslim society.

Manila previously offered the MILF the Muslim autonomous region, which is composed of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and are among the poorest in the country torn by strife and clan wars since its creation in 1989. The MILF flatly rejected the offer and insisted on self-determination.

The MILF said it will only sign a peace deal with Arroyo government if it establishes genuine governance for Muslims either in the form of "state" or "sub-state".

But analysts fear that President Arroyo or her allies in the House of Representatives might use the peace talks with the MILF as an excuse to amend the Constitution to change the system of government from presidential to parliamentary or federalism to allow the MILF to have a separate state and eventually prolong her into power beyond 2010.

Under the presidential form of government, Arroyo, who deposed President Joseph Estrada in a people power revolution in 2001, is allowed only one six-year term.

In the charter change proposal suggested by her political allies who dominate Congress, she can be elected as prime minister should Congress dissolve the Senate and change the system of government to parliamentary. (Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat hands over to Isabela City Councilor Peter Eisma the documents stating that the entire Isabela City is included in the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. Thousands of residents in Zamboanga City rallied rallied Monday, August 4, 2008 against the inclusion of 8 local villages to the Muslim ancestral domain.(City Hall Photo)

Philippine Troops On Alert After High Court Blocks Signing Of Muslim Ancestral Domain

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 4, 2008) – Southern Philippine troops were told to stay alert for possible attacks by rebels following a decision by the Supreme Court on Monday to block the signing of the final draft agreement on the ancestral domain.

“We are monitoring the situation now,” Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, a regional army spokesman, told the Mindanao Examiner.

The High Court temporarily stopped the signing of the accord that would eventually grant Muslim a separate homeland in Mindanao. Zamboanga City Rep. Erico Fabian and other lawmakers filed the petition asking the Supreme Court to stop the signing.

The court issued the temporary restraining order a day before government peace negotiators are to sign the agreement with the MILF, which is fighting the past four decades for a separate Islamic state in the troubled South.

Ando said sporadic fighting between security and rebel forces in North Cotabato province the past days have forced many villagers to flee their homes.

North Cotabato is also included in the ancestral domain and so are other areas in Mindanao, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Zamboanga City.

Thousands of people in Zamboanga City led by Mayor Celso Lobregat rallied Monday against the inclusion of at least 8 villages in the proposed Muslim homeland. Lobregat said Muslims and Christians are living peacefully in Zamboanga City.

He said many Muslim village leaders are also opposing the inclusion of their communities to the ancestral domain.

Presidential peace adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said only predominantly Muslim island of Sacol, which is several nautical miles of Zamboanga City, is included in the ancestral domain and that a plebiscite on areas cover by the agreement would be held a year later after the formal signing of the accord.

North Cotabato Deputy Governor Emmanuel Pinol last week also petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the signing.

Philippine authorities have previously blamed the MILF for the spate of kidnappings and terrorism in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

MILF Rebels Say TRO Is Temporary Set Back, Peace Talks Remain Top Agenda

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 4, 2008) – The Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front said Monday’s Supreme Court decision to stop the signing of draft agreement on the ancestral domain is a temporary set back, but it remains optimistic about the deal.

The High Court temporarily stopped the signing of the final draft accord that would grant Muslims a separate homeland in Mindanao.

“This is a temporary set back and the MILF leadership is yet to decide on what actions to take, but this issue is more between the Supreme Court and the Philippine government.”

“The MILF remains optimistic about the formal signing of the ancestral domain agreement between the government and our peace negotiators,” Kabalu told the Mindanao Examiner.

The court issued the temporary restraining order a day before government peace negotiators are to sign the agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is fighting the past four decades for a separate Islamic state in the troubled South.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat said he was told about the decision by Zamboanga City Rep. Erico Fabian, a political ally, who was one of several lawmakers that filed the petition. At least 8 Muslim villages her are included in the ancestral domain and Lobregat and his allies are fighting the attempts to dismember Zamboanga.

Lobregat said it was an en banc decision.

Fabian has confirmed the High Court’s order. “It is confirmed and I have informed the mayor about it,” he said. “We are very happy with the decision.”

North Cotabato Deputy Governor Emmanuel Pinol last week also petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the signing. Pinol is opposing the inclusion of several towns in the province in the ancestral domain which would make up a separate Muslim homeland under the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippines Supreme Court Stops Signing Of Islamic Homeland Deal

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat speaks during a rally Monday, August 4, 2008. Lobregat says the Supreme Court issues temporary order to stop Tuesday signing of the final draft of the Muslim ancestral domain in Malaysia between Filipino government peace negotiators and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 4, 2008) – The Philippines Supreme Court temporarily stopped on Monday the signing of final draft accord of a separate Muslim homeland in Mindanao between Filipino and rebel peace negotiators.

The court issued the temporary restraining order a day before government peace negotiators are to sign the agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is fighting the past four decades for a separate Islamic state in the troubled South.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat said he was told about the decision by Zamboanga City Rep. Erico Fabian, a political ally, who was one of several lawmakers that filed the petition. At least 8 Muslim villages here are included in the ancestral domain and Lobregat and his allies are fighting the attempts to dismember Zamboanga.

Lobregat said it was an en banc decision.

Fabian has confirmed the High Court’s order. “It is confirmed and I have informed the mayor about it,” he said. “We are very happy with the decision.”

North Cotabato Deputy Governor Emmanuel Pinol last week also petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the signing. Pinol is opposing the inclusion of several towns in the province in the ancestral domain which would make up a separate Muslim homeland under the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. (Mindanao Examiner)