Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has urged the Philippine government to redouble its efforts in restoring peace and development in Mindanao.
OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, in a statement during last week‘s tripartite meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, stressed that peace will not become a reality unless the process is accompanied by economic and infrastructural development, reconstruction, correction of injustice, proper settlement of the displaced population and ensuring equitable and just distribution of facilities for all.
He also lamented Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari‘s non-attendance to the meeting between the OIC, the Philippine government and the MILF despite a Philippine court ruling allowing him to be present in the talks.
The OIC chief said the tripartite meeting and other modes of discussion of the parties involved in the 1996 Peace Agreement requires confidence-building measures.
Ihsanoglu added that expediting the legal process of the case against Misuari and allowing him to participate in the tripartite talks would greatly contribute to the restoration of confidence between the two parties.
Manila and the MNLF signed a peace accord in 1996.
The government said it has fulfilled most of its commitments in the agreement, but the former rebel group says otherwise.
Phase I of the agreement, which covers a three-year period after the signing of the accord on Sept. 2, 1996, provided for the integration of former MNLF fighters into the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police and the formation of the Special Zone of Peace and Development, the Southern Philippine Council for Peace and Development, and the Consultative Assembly.
On the other hand, Phase II provides for an amendment to or repeal through congressional action of the Organic Act (Republic Act 6734) or the law creating the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), subject to a plebiscite by the people in areas covered to determine the establishment of a new autonomous government and the specific area of autonomy.
Manila maintained that it has already completed the implementation of Phase I and is now discussing implementation of Phase II.
A major obstacle cited by both sides was the coverage of an autonomous region.
Misuari‘s group wants the coverage to include the current ARMM (Marawi City and the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sharif Kabunsuan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) plus the entire western and southern half of Mindanao island and the southwestern province of Palawan, all of which are claimed by the MNLF to be traditional Muslim areas.
The government insists that the inclusion of these areas, whose population are predominantly non-Muslims, should be subject to a plebiscite.
The same thorny issue has been cited as the cause of the stalemate in peace talks being held separately between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Meanwhile, at the conclusion of the tripartite meeting, Ihsanoglu stressed that in order to translate the peace process into reality, the Islamic Development Bank has allocated $16 million for the reconstruction of southern Philippines.
“The final communiqué announced the agreement to establish five joint working groups on: Sharia and judiciary, special regional security force and the unified command for autonomous region in Mindanao, natural resources and economic development issues, political system and representation and education,” he said.
He added the working groups shall have the mandate to review implementation of 1996 final peace agreement in their respective assigned topics and provide recommendations to move the implementation of the peace agreement forward.
“The joint meeting groups are expected to submit the first progress report through the OIC by Jan. 10 to be considered at the next tripartite meeting on Jan. 14, 2008,” Ihsanoglu said.
The primary objective of the tripartite meeting, which was initiated by the OIC, is to conduct a review of the implementation of the second phase of the 1996 agreement, assess the progress achieved and identify and overcome any obstacles impeding the full implementation of the accord.
Source: www.tribune.net.ph (19 November 2007)
