As our Muslim brothers and sisters observe the holy month of Ramadan, the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) calls on both the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to err on the side of optimism. 

Several statements from the Aquino administration criticizing what it termed as the "mistakes" in the forging the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) as well as indicating their desire to change the Malaysia as mediator has gathered criticism from the MILF.

MILF chief Al Haj Murad Ebrahim has expressed skepticism about the chances of the MILF and the Aquino government forging a peace agreement saying that the MILF has not seen any sign of the Aquino government’s capability to offer a lasting solution to the Moro problem. The MILF added that they would be ready to use more than 60,000 weapons to wage war if peace talks with the government collapse.

The MILF, through its chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, has also announced it would file a protest against government security forces for launching air strikes against their position in Maguindanao violative of the existing ceasefire when they fired rounds of howitzers towards the MILF position in the town of Datu Piang.

The PCID appeals for calm and circumspection from both parties to avoid a breakdown of the talks even before it begins, especially as we enter Ramadan.

Despite the doubts expressed by the MILF, we urge their leadership to give the new administration a chance to prove its sincerity in achieving a just peace.

We likewise call on the government to be more cautious in referring to the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD).

While the previous regime has admittedly mishandled the peace process, the MOA-ADdoes contain provisions that represent the aspirations of the Moro people, particularly the Right to Self-Determination.  Despite the Supreme Court ruling on its unconstitutionality, the MOA-AD contains substantive language for ancestral domain  on which the new peace talks can be founded upon.

Despite these initial glitches, however, we remain hopeful that a peace agreement can be forged.

We laud Presidents Aquino's commitment to a peaceful settlement of the conflict when he said in his inaugural State of the Nation Address (SONA): "Mararating lamang ang kapayapaan at katahimikan kung mag-uusap ang lahat ng apektado." 

We also commend MILF Chair  Murad when he reiterated the MILF’s belief in negotiations as the path to peace in Mindanao.

PCID reiterates its belief in a politically negotiated settlement of the conflict that has caused so much suffering to our people. We restate our adherence to democratic processes as the only way by which conflicting interests of groups can be mediated.

We also share the fear expressed by the MILF chief and other peace advocates that a more radicalized generation of Moro that could prove to be more difficult to deal with might emerge if peace is not achieved.

For this reason, the PCID has focused its programs in ensuring that democratic reforms take root in our communities. Many of our projects, like the Islam and democracy lecture series supported by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), are intended to promote dialog to confront the growing radicalization in our communities.
 
We appeal to everyone, Muslim and non-Muslims, to support the peace efforts in Mindanao. After all, if it is claimed that Muslims are part of this republic, then peace in Mindanao means peace in the Philippines.

Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy
Unit 307 Continental Court Bldg
#47 Annapolis St., Greenhills
San Juan City, Philippines
Telefax: (+63 2) 722-9064
www.pcid.org.ph