Franklin Quijano, government representative negotiating with RPM-M shared peace process experiences of the government and the RPM-M. Below are substantive details of his talk.
- He relates his experience in a peace forum at Canada. Philippines is one of those with advanced peace processes.
Injustice is caused by political inequity; economic inequity and massive poverty; poor governance, minoritization. These are caused by injustice.- Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (Opapp)’s Six path to Peace
- pursuit of social, economic and political reforms
- consensus building and empowerment for peace
- peaceful, negotiated and settlement with different rebel groups
- programs for reconciliation, reintegration, into mainstream society and rehabilitation
- addressing concerns arising from the continuing armed hostilities
- building and nurturing a climate conducive for peace
Goals of the Peace process
Completion of comprehensive peace agreements with rebel groups resulting in the permanent cessation of hostilities by 2010
Completion of implementation of all final peace agreements signed since 1986
Mainstreaming the rebel groups through an enhanced amnesty, reintegration and reconciliation program- Rehabilitation, development and healing of conflict-affected areas
- Strengthening the peace constituency and citizen’s participation in the peace process on the ground
The Peace Processes
• GRP – MNLF
• GRP – CPLA
• GRP – MILF
• GRP – CPP/NPA/NDF
• GRP – RPM-P/RPA/ABB
• GRP – RPM-M 1996 GRP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement
- • Determined efforts to realize the establishment of expanded ARMM through the New ARMM Organic Act or RA 9054
- • Full integration of 7,500 MNLF members into the AFP and PNP
- • Election and appointment of Muslim leaders to key posts in local and national government
- • Implementation of development initiatives and livelihood projects in ARMM and many conflict-affected areas.•
- Implementation of socio-economic projects that catered to MNLF combatants.
- • Enabled the institutionalization of MNLF-led governance in the ARMM, with two full-term administrations under former governors Prof. Nur Misuari (MNLF Chair) and Dr. Parouk Hussin (MNLF Foreign Minister)
- • OIC mission on 18-21 May 2006 to assess the implementation of the peace agreement
- • GRP delegation attended the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Baku, Azerbaijan in June 2006
- • Tri-partite meeting between the GRP, OIC and MNLF scheduled in 2007 Peace Process with RPM-P/RPA/ABB
- • In the interest of pursuing the peaceful settlement of armed conflict between their forces, the GRP and the Rebolusyunaryong Partido Manggagawa Pilipinas / Revolutionary Proletarian Army / Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP/RPA/ABB) signed a Peace Agreement on 6 December 2000. Peace Process with CPP-NPA-NDF
- • March 1998 - Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) signed
- • August 2004 - CNN unilaterally suspended the peace talks
- • JASIG remains suspended OPAPP’s Initiatives on the Ground
- • LGU empowerment through community-based initiatives and acceleration of basic service delivery to the 600 barangays under the Kalayaan Barangays Program (KBP)
- • Establishment of Peace Zones and Sanctuaries of Peace and Development by local communities
- • Public consultations and peace fora, i.e., Bohol, Sorsogon and Bondoc Peninsula Government remains open to negotiations and undertakes monitoring as well as information and education campaign on CARHRIHLPeace Process with RPM-P/RPA/ABB PROVISIONS OF THE ACCORD
- • Ceasefire between the GRP and the RPMP/RPA/ABB forces across the country
- • Disposition of arms and forces of RPMP/RPA/ABB within a reasonable time
- • Release of Alleged Political Prisoners / Political Prisoners (APOs/PPs)
- • Provision of Php10M Reintegration Fund for APOs/PPs
- • Implementation of impact development projects
- • Conduct of substantive talks towards policy reforms on fiscal system and political participation of the marginalized
- • Ceasefire enforced through the Joint Enforcement and Monitoring Committee (JEMC) and Local Monitoring Teams (LMTs)
- • LMTs established in Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental
- • 128 Alleged Political Offenders (APOs) granted Php1.28M as immediate assistance and Php3.718M for livelihood support; Php5M more Reintegration Fund in the pipeline
- • 210 out of 315 APOs/PPs released
- • 150 Barangays identified for impact development projects
- • Community Consultations conducted in 69 barangays
- • Php15.6M for livelihood projects allocated this year under the peace accord
- • Php47.75M worth of infrastructure and social services delivered in the peace agreement areas
- • Php36.468M worth of projects pipelined Peace Process with RPM-M
- • 28 October 2005 – GRP-RPMM Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities signed
- • 100 barangays identified as peace process barangays Internal/Organizational Preparations
- • Independent Secretariat (IS) organized
- • GRP and RPM-M Secretariats organized
- • IS Training & Strategic Planning• Independent Resource Mobilization Ultimate Goals of the Process
- • Final Resolution through a Peace Agreement
- • Empowered Sustainable and Peaceful Communities/Tribes able to analyze their situations, appreciate their resources, identify their needs, formulate and implement their own development plans, living in peace and harmony with their history, culture and nature Significant Milestones
- • First formal talk (3 documents signed 22 Sept 2003) - Joint Commitment to Pursue Peace and Development - Rules on the Conduct of Formal Peace Talks - Rules on the Conduct of Local Consultations as Integral Part of the process
- • First Mindanao Stakeholders Conference (27 Oct. 2005)
- • Signing of the GCOH Agreement (28 Oct. 2005)
- • 91 RPMM-identified barangays have undergone Barangay Peace Consultations• Php49.4M worth of projects implemented in 35 barangays in the form of KALAHI-CIDSS projects
- • Php19.3M worth of projects are in the pipeline, both in the form of KALAHI Para sa Kalayaan Program and KALAHI-CIDSS
- • Parallel efforts from Balay Mindanaw to get fund support for the projects from donor agencies GRP-RPMM Peace Process Plans & Programs (CY 2006) Resource Mobilization (Development Projects)
- • Post Stake Holder’s Activities (initial P244.5M hard projects/developments pledges by LGAs/NGOs, etc)
- • Packaging of identified priority needs based from the result of local consultations Final Peace Agreement Including Decommissioning (Talking Points)· Enjoin GRP and RPMM Panels to submit their respective drafts through the Independent Secretariat· Finalization/Signing of Final Peace Agreement by both the GRP-RPMM Peace Panels through the Independent Secretariat.
“CAN A COMMUNITY BASED PEACE & DEVELOPMENT BE REPLICATED?”
MANDATE:
- Agenda No. 9 – A just end to the peace process and the Community Based/Participatory Peace Process.
- Executive Order No. 3 – Calls for a comprehensive and peaceful resolution to the internal armed conflicts. Adopt a Sustainable Integrated Area Development (SIAD) framework encompassing the following:
-A comprehensive peace process that seeks a principled and peaceful resolution of internal armed conflicts with neither blame nor surrender, maintaining the dignity of all concerned.
-To address root causes of armed conflicts and identify resources, capabilities and priority needs at the local levels through local consultations (with respect to their customs, traditions and practices).
3. Multi-sectoral participation to include religious, LGUs, Military and Basic Sectors (Community Leaders, POs, NGOs).
- Empowered Communities through Trainings/Seminars/Symposia (e.g. Barangay Effective Governance and Planning).
- Active Community involvement and participation in the implementation of development initiatives.
- Environmental and Ecological protection and development.
7. Timeline. STEPSI.
Local Consultations:
- - Resource Mapping
- - Conflict Mapping
- - Community Needs Assessment/Prioritization
- -Packaging
II. Identification/Dialogues/Meetings:
- - Identify the area to be covered.
- - Conduct informal interaction with the local constituents.
- - Identify the Players (the communities, government, ngo, po, religious, other institutions) - Hold initial talks/meetings with the Key Players
III. Community Empowerment/Capability Building:
- - Conduct Training/Sessions on Participatory Resource Appraisal/Barangay Development Planning (PRA/BDP).
- - Barangay Effective Governance
- - Others
Implementation:
- - Internal Conflict Mediation/Resolution
- - Stakeholders Conference (GLAs, LGUs, NGOs, POs, Civil Society, etc.)
- - Development Project’s Implementation Note that the STEPS for an integrated development framework
- - from actual conduct of local consultation, packing of project proposals, resource and conflict mapping, promoting effective barangay governance, mediation, arbitration, stakeholders meeting up to project implementation involves the capability of the organized sectors (including the Academe/Youth) to support.
We have to learn from the best practices even from perceived enemies. What can the Development PARTNERS do to help?HELP IN ENHANCING SUSTAINABILITY
Help accelerate the pace of local participatory consultations
Assistance in the delivery of development projects (e.g. infrastructure projects through different international development institutions, relief assistance on impoverished and/or conflict ravaged areas, reforestation programs, and community productivity programs)
Support in the implementation of development projects (eg, infrastructure projects) through Engineering Brigades, as well as medical and dental assistance etc.
Help enhance the governance capability of local communities, barangays, municipalities or even provinces.
Help provide information, equipments and materials for planning e.g. Satellite Maps, aerial photographs, GPS data and equipments, etc.
Provide support and technical assistance on Reforestation, Agriculture, small rural infrastructure works, small and medium scale enterprises including transfers of skills and technology to local communities.
Help coordinate in the SIAD Peace & Development efforts.
Let us Point out that: PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT and DEMOCRATIZATION which is from the people that brings dialogue, healing and peace.
Caloy Manlupig from Balay Mindanao based at Cagayan de Oro city. Manlupig talked on the principles of equity and development to attain sustainable peace. He said that peace talks and peace building have more emphasis on the processes. This must be nurtured. For him, the government is also struggling in handling the peace process. The support of Opapp was good. He opined that “It is a little different now because everyday all problems and developments are looked into.” He said that developments needed in the community are just simple. They need water system, schools and roads that are necessary for the transport of goods from the farm.
Manlupig expressed that the challenge is how to fulfill the dreams of these communities. He expressed that like civil societies, the government is also looking into mobilizing resources for development too.
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