Arroyo could use MILF peace talks to pursue changes in Constitution

Moro Islamic Liberation Front soldiers clean their weapons at a rebel base in the southern Philippines. The MILF, the country's largest Muslim rebel group, says any peace deal with the Arroyo government is unlikely. Arroyo is to step down on June 30, 2010. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 30, 2010) – Filipino leader Gloria Arroyo may use the peace talks with Muslim rebels to amend the Constitution when she steps down and sits as member of the House of Representatives which is dominated by her political allies.

Arroyo is to step down in June 30 after ruling the country for nine years to yield the presidency to opposition senator, Benigno Aquino 3^rd and take her new role as congresswoman of Pampanga province where she ran and won in the May 10 national elections.

Arroyo opened peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, but failed to sign a political deal that would end decades of bloody fighting in the restive region of Mindanao.

The MILF has been fighting for the establishment of a separate Muslim state in Mindanao, once ruled by the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo.

Manila said a peace deal with the MILF is unlikely before Arroyo steps down, but Arroyo insists she would pursue the peace process in Congress by introducing bills that could lead to the signing of a political accord with the rebel group.

But a rebel commander, Ibrahim, said Arroyo could use the MILF or the peace talks as a reason to amend the Constitution and change the government to parliamentary or introduce federalism similar to Malaysia. And eventually for Arroyo’s allies in Congress to elect her as prime minister and again rule the country to avoid or evade corruption charges anti-Arroyo politicians may file against her.

Arroyo, whose administration was rocked with corruption scandals, among others, was also accused of poll fraud by the opposition in the 2004 elections.

“The MILF signed no concrete agreements with Arroyo and even the MOA-AD (Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain), which is the future of the Bangsamoro people (Muslims), had failed despite draft agreements signed by the MILF and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines,” Ibrahim said.

“We fear that Arroyo and her allies in Congress will use the MILF and the peace process to amend the Constitution and eventually elect her to become Prime Minister and continue her reign of power and that of her political allies to evade possible corruption charges against them by the new administration of (Benigno) Aquino,” he said.

Ibrahim said the new president should pursue the peace process with the MILF to end the fighting in Mindanao. “Aquino should make the peace process in Mindanao his top priority. We will be waiting for his move to pursue the peace talks with the MILF. We are for peace,” he said.

He also expressed fear that Arroyo could order a military offensive against the MILF in Mindanao before she steps down to give her and her allies in Congress more reasons to amend the Constitution and change the form of government when the House of Representatives resumes its session.

“There are many scenarios waiting to happen and one of them is the military offensive versus the MILF in Mindanao and this will give Arroyo more reason to pursue changes in the Constitution in the guise of preserving the gains of the peace talks,” Ibrahim said.

Arroyo had openly campaign in the past to change the Constitution. And her allies in Congress were also proposing a shift to parliamentary government where Arroyo could be elected as Prime Minister. (Mindanao Examiner)