Showing posts with label grp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grp. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
On the Bangsamoro Peace Deal---a complete revision of the 1987 Constitution is in order
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Monday, December 29, 2008
MIndanao Peace Talks Bound to Fail Again!
There are current reports indicating a breakthrough in the peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The top leadership of the Bangsamoro people reportedly agreed to negotiate peace with the re-constituted peace panel of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. Tha could be good news for some. However, upon closer analysis, this is highly improbable given the fact that the Central Committee of the MILF already took a position contrary to what government right now is announcing to the entire world.
Right after that controversial Supreme Court decision invalidating the Memorandum of Agreement-BJE, the MILF Central Committee already decided not to go back to the negotiating table if this is to be chaired by appointments of Arroyo. Philippine president Arroyo has just reconstituted the panel to be headed by Foreign Undersecretary Rafael Seguis and includes lawyer Tomas Cabili Jr., Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, former General Santos City Mayor Adelbert Antonino, and former legislator Ronald Adamat.
Note that the reconstituted panel includes people who really don't know the status of years of negotiations with the MILF and has even taken a contrari stand on the issue of the Bangsamoro juridical entity. The MILF already said that it will not return to talking peace if the GRP just wants to reconfigure the conditions and terms of reference of the MOA-BJE. It will only talk peace under the conditions pre-set by those stated in the original MOA-BJE.
Notice also that those who compose this government panel stands to debate more with the MILF leadership instead of going to constructive dialogue. Again, this peace talks, if ever it resumes, is designed to fail.
The reason why GRP is just doing this now and announcing the willingness kuno of the MILF to talk peace is very simple---Arroyo wants to project a good image before leaders of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) who will hold their conference here at the Dusit Hotel on January 9. 2009. Government wants to project an image that it is protecting the civil, economic, political and religious rights of the Bangsamoro when the contrary is happening.
Right after that controversial Supreme Court decision invalidating the Memorandum of Agreement-BJE, the MILF Central Committee already decided not to go back to the negotiating table if this is to be chaired by appointments of Arroyo. Philippine president Arroyo has just reconstituted the panel to be headed by Foreign Undersecretary Rafael Seguis and includes lawyer Tomas Cabili Jr., Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, former General Santos City Mayor Adelbert Antonino, and former legislator Ronald Adamat.
Note that the reconstituted panel includes people who really don't know the status of years of negotiations with the MILF and has even taken a contrari stand on the issue of the Bangsamoro juridical entity. The MILF already said that it will not return to talking peace if the GRP just wants to reconfigure the conditions and terms of reference of the MOA-BJE. It will only talk peace under the conditions pre-set by those stated in the original MOA-BJE.
Notice also that those who compose this government panel stands to debate more with the MILF leadership instead of going to constructive dialogue. Again, this peace talks, if ever it resumes, is designed to fail.
The reason why GRP is just doing this now and announcing the willingness kuno of the MILF to talk peace is very simple---Arroyo wants to project a good image before leaders of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) who will hold their conference here at the Dusit Hotel on January 9. 2009. Government wants to project an image that it is protecting the civil, economic, political and religious rights of the Bangsamoro when the contrary is happening.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Effects of a Full-Scale War In Mindanao
This summary is not available. Please
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Wednesday, January 9, 2008
The Security Situation in the Philippines:2008
In the midst of reports on a coup and the threat of terrorism, the US State Department has invited Philippine secretary Teodoro for a visit to Washington. The invitation came in the heels of the breakdown of talks between the MILF-GRP, possible rise of terror activities, the increased activities of the CPP-NPA-NDF and the purported shot-down of a Philippine trainer plane in the Spratlys. These events are alarming to say the least, but for Philippine defense officials, these events are considered "manageable".
Obviously, the Philippines is an important component of the US homeland and external defense plan. However, reports of a shot-down is quite alarming, especially to the US. The Spratlys area is a critical flash point in the past and such an incident, if it ever happened, expose the weakness of the Philippines in responding to such matters. It shows how weak this country is against foreign threats.
One of the interest of the US is the establishment or building of a forward base in Mindanao, which, according to intel reports, have been established already. This forward base aims to counter any possible Chinese attacks in the mainland. For the US, China remains as a major and serious threat to US national security. Despite its reversion to capitalism, China is still controlled by the Communist Party which, traditionally, has been waging an ideological war against the US.
Likewise, Mindanao continues to harbor terror groups, like the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). Reports on Dulmatin going in and out of Philippine territory shows how fragile Philippine immigration defenses are. Remember that the Al-Queda just issued a threatening statement against the US, vowing to conduct a more serious one, more lethal that 9/11. There are indications that the Philippines is being used by JI and other regional terrorists as a training ground and these are evident with the increase of bombing activities in the country.
With such serious breaches of both external and internal security of the Philippines, its quite prudent for the US to invite our defense secretary over there. A weakening US economy needs a stringent and more effective defense plan to protect US interests globally. Without the active participation of the Philippines, US interests in Southeast Asia remains vulnerable and weak.
Obviously, the Philippines is an important component of the US homeland and external defense plan. However, reports of a shot-down is quite alarming, especially to the US. The Spratlys area is a critical flash point in the past and such an incident, if it ever happened, expose the weakness of the Philippines in responding to such matters. It shows how weak this country is against foreign threats.
One of the interest of the US is the establishment or building of a forward base in Mindanao, which, according to intel reports, have been established already. This forward base aims to counter any possible Chinese attacks in the mainland. For the US, China remains as a major and serious threat to US national security. Despite its reversion to capitalism, China is still controlled by the Communist Party which, traditionally, has been waging an ideological war against the US.
Likewise, Mindanao continues to harbor terror groups, like the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). Reports on Dulmatin going in and out of Philippine territory shows how fragile Philippine immigration defenses are. Remember that the Al-Queda just issued a threatening statement against the US, vowing to conduct a more serious one, more lethal that 9/11. There are indications that the Philippines is being used by JI and other regional terrorists as a training ground and these are evident with the increase of bombing activities in the country.
With such serious breaches of both external and internal security of the Philippines, its quite prudent for the US to invite our defense secretary over there. A weakening US economy needs a stringent and more effective defense plan to protect US interests globally. Without the active participation of the Philippines, US interests in Southeast Asia remains vulnerable and weak.
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