Philippines - Empowering the Filipino People

Peace and development in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — War against the MILF and NDF-NPA is not an option. Enduring peace and inclusive, sustainable development – through our unity of purpose, solidarity in values, and teamwork in nation-building – must be the triumphal outcome of today’s collective efforts, as in earlier years.

But, we also say: “Okay for all-out war for justice, all-out war against poverty/deprivation, all-out war against corruption and incompetence, all-out war against organized crime.”

For leaders of our 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution one generation ago, elected incumbents, and today’s family heads, plus concerned Filipinos who assume governance responsibilities after 2013 and 2016 (election years), the above-cited exhortation is the overwhelming sentiment.

Raging debates among the P.Noy Government, MILF, and civil society as reported by media and foreign observers, make it timely indeed to review what had transpired before in order to regroup the entire Filipino Family. All of us on board our one and only Ship “Pilipinas” (including national/local officials, OFWs, dual citizens, foreign locators, and the unborn) need to move faster forward to a better Philippine future.

Let us plug the holes in our leaky, slow boat – not put in new ones. Unfortunately, some war-freaks who have never experienced hostile combat situations or prolonged suffering are among those who always want “bang-bang-bang” – just like in the movies.

Justice is inclusive

Muslim scholars emphasize that “the Qur’an, taken as a whole, gives messages of hope, faith, and peace... to be found through faith in God and justice among fellow humans.”

Says Isaiah (32:17) in the Bible: “Because everyone works for justice, there will be peace and security forever.” This prophecy was the lead topic in our Bulletin column of 25 November 2007.

There we opined: “The GRP-MILF and the GRP-NDF agreements are within reach – if only clear focus, dedicated implementation (of agreed programs), and consistent political will are applied upon the remaining issues by the principals. Ultimately, the GRP, at all levels down to the barangays – under the overall supervision of the President/Commander-in-Chief – carries the burden of responsibility to insure that the final outcomes are enduring peace and sustainable development – not just of affected areas – but Philippines-wide.”

The mobilization of the support of civil society and ordinary people is undeniably the GRP’s mandate and not to be relegated to foreign entities.

Effective ceasefire (July, 1997-April, 2000)

Let us recall that immediately after the Final Peace Agreement with the MNLF on 02 September 1996, FVR tasked then Executive Secretary Ruben Torres to meet with MILF Vice-Chair Ghazali Jaafar to start peace negotiations.

Within a week (on 10 September), Torres and Jaafar agreed to the creation of a Joint Committee to prepare a ceasefire and favorable conditions for negotiations. Meantime, FVR designated Ambassador Fortunato Abat as GRP Panel Chair to work with MILF counterparts.

On 18 July 1997 in Cagayan de Oro, the GRP and MILF Panels signed the “Agreement for General Cessation of Hostilities” (in effect, a ceasefire, that lasted for the next 30 months). On 06 February 1998, the “Agreement to Sustain the Quest for Peace” was forged in Marawi by Technical Committee Chairpersons (GRP-ASec Jovenal Lazaga and MILF-Shiekh Moner Bajunaid) and the “Cessation of Hostilities” Sub-Committees (GRP-MGen Joselin Nazareno and MILF-Omar Umpar). Both parties agreed on: (1) repositioning GRP forces in Buldon, Maguindanao; (2) resolution of watershed issues involving the Minabay-Banganan-Ambal Rivers; (3) suspension of logging by Cotabato Timber Company and others; and (4) formation of joint Quick Response Teams.

Perseverance on both sides resulted in significant reductions of hostilities and, therefore, casualties/dislocation/collateral damage throughout Mindanao.

Ceasefire/peace dividends

The 30 precious ceasefire months spurred Mindanao’s development and the blossoming of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area.

Upon assumption in July, 1997, of Lieutenant General Orlando Soriano, former CG, PA, then Head, National Irrigation Administration, as GRP Panel Chair to replace Ambassador Abat (who assumed higher duties), community development started in MILF enclaves at the Maguindanao-Lanao Sur-Cotabato tri-border.

To our pleasant surprise, Soriano soon asked clearance to undertake three projects: (1) installing potable water systems for Camp Abubakar, using solarpower; (2) irrigating 2,500 hectares of farmland around Abubakar from the Malmar System (then 90% finished); and  (3) concreting the 15-km. road to Abubakar from the highway between Cotabato City and Malabang, Lanao Sur.

Initially requested by Chairman Salamat, FVR quickly approved these projects and released p100 million therefor. The entry of AFP Engineers reinforced by civilians to work inside Camp Abubakar with MILF cooperation (while AFP-PNP units controlled surrounding areas) resembled the “Trojan Horse” situation in military strategy – which substantially improved chances of success towards final agreement.

This was the non-violent breakthrough both sides hoped for. Unfortunately, the favorable situation didn’t last because of President Estrada’s “All-Out War Policy” in April, 2000.

The shattered peace

Alas, the prolonged 30-month ceasefire did not endure. The AFP-PNP and MILF are still fighting today.

The expanding environment of peace was tragically shattered by Estrada’s ill-conceived order in late April 2000 to attack Camp Abubakar – during which mosques were destroyed, MILF mujahideens escaped to fight from other sanctuaries, and thousands of families fled to avoid the crossfire.

Media reports made much of Estrada’s angry temper during late April, 2000, starting with his 63rd birthday on 19 April. What should have been a joyful period turned into a bitter pill with the Abu Sayyaf kidnapping on 23 April of foreign tourists in Sipadan, Sabah, and their transfer to Basilan. This sudden blow was compounded by the tragic crash – three days before – of an Air Philippines airliner near Davao City where all 131 persons aboard perished.

Evidencing Erap’s vengeful mood were his celebrations of Abubakar’s fall with truckloads of “lechon” and beer for the “victorious” troops. Such mindless desecration of Muslim sensitivities was resented by the MILF as intensely as the Abubakar devastation, including the destruction of water systems (operationalized August, 1997) and irrigation networks.

Confidence-building measures attained thru cooperative efforts between GRP Chairman Soriano and MILF Chairman Salamat were wasted.

Recognition of MILF camps

Frequently circulated by Estrada drumbeaters is the alleged “recognition” of MILF main camps by the Ramos Administration – which misinformed people believe to this day. The official record, however, proves the contrary.

The plain truth is that during Erap’s time, on 10 February 1999, Camps Abubakar and Busrah were acknowledged as MILF Camps (First Joint Acknowledgment); and on 06 October 1999, Camps Bilal in Lanao Sur, Rajamuda in Cotabato/Maguindanao; Darapanan/Usama,  Al-Khattab, and Badre – all in Maguindanao – were further recognized as MILF Camps (Second Joint Acknowledgment).

Historical distortions still occasionally appear in media and op-ed articles, obviously to justify – albeit wrongly – Estrada’s war policy that torpedoed not only the prospects of a final peace settlement, but also Mindanao’s sustainable development.

Mindanao war costs

Statistics presented during the Cabinet-OPAPP briefing for Congressional leaders last 04 August 2008 showed that during 1970-1996, the AFP spent some P73 billion for arms/ammunition against the MNLF and its splinter groups (MILF included) – on top of loss of lives and socio-economic costs.

Estrada’s “All-Out War Policy” launched April, 2000, resulted in an average of P20 million spent daily for three months (total P1.8 billion). Despite heavy spending, that offensive cost the lives of 431 soldiers and 624 wounded. Moreover, infrastructure damage amounted to P202 million, plus P125 million worth of agri-products destroyed.

In 2003, when measurable progress restarted in Mindanao, the military overran the Buliok complex (MILF command center after Camp Abubakar) in campaigns against kidnap-for-ransom groups. Because of MILF-KFRG atrocities, some P47 million worth of agricultural produce was destroyed and P130 million in infrastructure damaged.

Thus, the direct costs of renewed Mindanao war from April, 2000, to December, 2003, amounted to some P2.3 billion, as revealed in said briefing.

War’s social costs

More than body-counts and direct damage, war’s social costs were even greater.

Per DSWD figures, some one million persons were displaced/ rendered homeless by Estrada’s war policy starting in April, 2000. Due to crackdowns on the Abu Sayyaf Group, 200,000 more people were dislocated. That number increased in 2003 with additional 750,000 evacuees. From 2000 to 2004, therefore, 2,000,000 people became “internal refugees,” losing both homes and livelihood in Mindanao.

The 2005 Philippine Human Development Report records that “All-Out War” and ASG atrocities caused Mindanao investment growth to plunge from plus 17% to minus 5% in 2000-2001, resulting in its negative growth. Considering both explicit and implicit economic losses, OPAPP reported that from 1975 to 2002, losses in Mindanao ranged from P5 to P10 billion annually, which totals an astronomical P135 to P270 billion for 27 years!!

DO FILIPINOS WANT WAR OR PEACE?

“In this moment of crisis, people say charity starts at home.  But unless you come from another planet, we have only one home.  So we’d better take good care of it.” — OECD Sec-Gen Angel Gurria, UN Convention on Climate Change Durban, South Africa, December 2011

Years ago, we recognized the intimate intertwining – nay, the irreversible unity – of the environment with population and sustainable development, and the need to address these three components of God’s bounty as an integrated, converged and synergistic roadmap to a better future.

Balancing environment, people and sustainability

As early as 01 September 1992, we established the multi-sectoral/multi-stakeholder Philippine Council on Sustainable Development by EO 15, under the chairmanship of then NEDA Secretary Cielito Habito. The PCSD included the DENR Secretary as vice chairman, and 14 other department heads as members. As civil society counterparts, seven NGO-representatives from key sectors were chosen as PCSD members.

The judicious management of the environment, population, and development would guarantee the well-being of each Filipino and our place of respect in the family of nations – which we used to occupy.

The broad PCSD mandate is to move the country capably and competitively into the 21st century – in effect, to implement the strategy adopted by the United Nations in its seminal Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED or “The Earth Summit”) in Rio de Janeiro in June, 1992. Our Philippine Agenda for the coming century was thus grounded on universal principles and “best practices.”

By virtue of EO 370 promulgated 26 September 1996, PCSD was strengthened by the inclusion of two additional members each from the labor and private business sectors, and the provision for a review/ evaluation system. As NEDA chairman, FVR presided over PCSD meetings which, occasionally, included Congressional leaders as consultants.

This is how the PCSD stands today in the pursuit of a doable “Philippine Agenda 21.”

PA 21 Reforms; Quality Population

In 1996, FVR convened the National Anti-Poverty Summit which paved the way for the enactment of the “Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act” (RA 8425) on 11 December 1997, which still stands. Also in 1996, we established a National Marine Policy for properly managing coastal zones and optimizing offshore/oceanic resources along the principles of sustainable development. To ensure proper implementation, periodic reviews were institutionalized pursuant to PA 21.

Meanwhile, on 5-13 September 1994, the Cairo UN International Conference on Population Development adopted significant paradigm shifts in family and population management. It was the largest global conference on population and development ever held – with 11,000 participants from 179 countries representing governments, academe, media, and NGOs. NEDA Secretary Ciel Habito headed the Philippine delegation which was among the most sought-after groups because our national policy was seen as a balanced paradigm that respected the same three integral components for humankind’s sustainability: Population, environment, and development.

We focused at the time on the balancing of Earth’s carrying capacity – a principle now universally accepted by way of population quality, environmental protection, and sustainable growth as the key mandates to insure human security.

The ICPD Program of Action seeks to “raise the quality of life for all peoples through appropriate population development policies aimed at achieving poverty eradication, sustainable development, and guarantee of all human rights, including people empowerment.”

Blessed Pope John Paul II at the Holy See in September 1994, in a joyful audience with FVR, expressed his appreciation of the Philippine population policy articulated at the then on-going Cairo ICPD.

UN Benchmarks

ICPD opened a new era of willingness by the international community and governments to integrate population quality and socio-economic progress, with these UN benchmarks:

(1) Reproductive healthcare and unmet needs for contraception. By 2015, 100% of primary healthcare facilities should offer the widest range of safe, effective modern methods to prevent/manage reproductive infections.

(2) Reduction of maternal mortality. By 2015, maternal mortality rate should be reduced to half the 2000 rate.

(3) Reduction of infant mortality. By 2015, countries should have infant mortality rate of 35 per 1,000 live births and under “age 5” mortality of 45 per 1,000 – or less.

(4) Access to reproductive/sexual health services. Countries should strive to access reproductive and health services to all individuals of appropriate age NLT 2015.

(5) HIV/AIDS. At least 95% of both sexes aged 15-24 should, by 2010, have access to information/services necessary to reduce HIV/AIDS vulnerability.

(6) Universal education. Primary school enrollment for both sexes should be at least 90% by 2010, 100% by 2015.

Our ICPD commitments were approved by FVR because they placed people at the center of development, and put family planning within a broader framework based on the principles of human rights, health/longevity, socio-economic justice, and environmental sustainability.

The bountiful seas

We know sea-based activities make sizeable contributions to Asia-Pacific economies. But access to littoral areas/coasts can be uneven.

A multi-disciplinary UN study shows that coastal economies fare better in “ease of doing business” than landlocked ones. Recognition of this handicap was the underlying reason for the UN Conference on the Law of the Sea to provide special provisions so that landlocked states could benefit from UNCLOS.

It is of high significance, therefore, that landlocked Laos is now a partner in the “Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia.” This was after ASEAN, with the assistance of development partners, accelerated its Mekong River Programs to provide Laos’ access to the South China Sea thru riverways across Vietnam.

The responsible stewardship of our oceans/coasts can cushion us from the impact of human-induced crises like economic recession and those caused by natural hazards.

Climate change affects all

In mid-July, 2009, the Philippines created the Commission on Climate Change, now chaired by former Senator/DENR Secretary Heherson Alvarez. Before its implementation with preventive/safety measures for vulnerable communities, typhoons Ketsana (Ondoy) and Parma (Pepeng) ravaged our population centers with great damage to life and property.

The main lessons learned from those two disasters and also from equally destructive Washi (Sendong) is that current measures for people’s safety are not appreciated enough by planners. While communities did their best to cope with nature’s wrath, and while we saw outstanding acts of life-saving, these are never enough to overcome the suffering generated by the neglect or abuse of the environment.

We need vision, innovation, fresh perspectives, and practical approaches. Most of all, leaders need to be steadfast in exercising their political will.

Legislation is essential, but even where laws and budgets are in place, they are not enough without political will. The enactment of international covenants, national laws, and local ordinances is not the end point.

Marine survey of Kalayaan Islands Group

In 1996, FVR gave official authority to the initiatives of then DOST Secretary William Padolina supported by DENR Secretary Angel Alcala and Edgardo Gomez, UP Marine Science Director (both eminent marine biologists and my scuba-diving buddies) to undertake a three-year program to explore the Kalayaan Islands Group in the Spratlys, together with a select group of other Asia-Pacific scientists.

This Philippine research project is recorded in a landmark book, “The Kalayaan Islands – Our Natural Heritage” (U.P. 2003). Its findings were most encouraging in terms of confidence-building, benefit-sharing, and resource development of the KIG.

In the light of the race for energy resources led by the US and China (dubbed “the oiloholics”), our earlier efforts to promote the peaceful, cooperative development of the Spratlys promise to bear fruit from our greater appreciation of their criticality.

However, there is bad news, according to Dr. Ed Gomez in Tropical Coasts (July, 2011): “More than just the variety of animal, plant, bacterial, and viral species, biodiversity includes the relationships connecting us all to one another. This richness and variety of life and ecosystems plays an essential role in keeping our world functioning.

“Only in the past two decades have we begun to better appreciate our ‘global commons’ – or the entirety of the environment. The preoccupations of daily living make us oblivious to the dangers threatening fragile ecosystems worldwide. We’re equally negligent in disregarding our responsibility to care for Mother Earth.

“The astounding variety of life on Earth is rapidly disappearing before our eyes. Thousands of species face extinction. Approximately 13 million hectares of the world’s forests (the size of Greece) are lost annually due to human activities.”

Above concerns have been thoroughly discussed in various events hosted by the Philippines, the latest being the Global Conference on Land-Ocean Connections under UN auspices last January.

Better act now

That Philippine officials (at all levels) and private sector leaders must act now, instead of tomorrow, is an imperative.

Let us recall that the fundamental assessment by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change headed by Nobel Peace Laureate (2007) Rajendra Pachauri, is that:

“HUMANS ARE THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE TO THE ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE OF THEIR WILL TO VIOLATE, ABUSE, AND NEGLECT.”

FIDEL V. RAMOS (Former Philippine President) 

Business & Investment Opportunities

YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.