The peace negotiation between the Philippines and the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front had been going in circle. It looks like there is no clear agenda from both sides as to where these talks will end at or will achieve. It is about time that we should take a hard look in the agenda for it appears that there is no commonality on how and where these talks will culminate. The silence of the guns is palliative and we knew that without the meaningful agreement in place a step in the territory of the MILF can trigger manslaughter.

What makes an ideal truce is the absence of guns and militarization. In short all combatants of the Armed Forces of the Philippines should pull out and the Civilian Volunteer Organizations disbanded with their arms collected. The same should be done with the MILF. Only the Philippine National Police with a number of ‘integrees’ from the MILF should be make up for the legitimate force that should secure not only the autonomous region but of the entire Mindanao.

The MILF should declare and unequivocally accept that they are Filipinos. This should erase doubts that the government is dealing with foreigners on the question of territory that is the Philippines. No talks should proceed without this predicate, otherwise agreements reached in this peace talks would, in effect, giving concessions to a belligerent group who will not stop at autonomy or a sub-state for that matter. Which means that not an inch of the Philippine territory will be carved out otherwise the sovereignty of the nation will be in peril.

It is superfluous after all for members of the MILF to claim that they are not Filipinos when even those in the top echelons, their children and relatives enjoy the amenities, services, rights and privileges granted by the state. They cannot be secessionists at war with the government and at the same time relishing concessions from the latter. They should not provide sanctuary to terrorist organizations like the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah while negotiating for peace with the government.

Beyond signing the parchment of peace there ought to be a clear horizon where this truce will bring us to. Will the rift between the Muslims clans and even family members persists? Will the Christians and the Muslims indifference find solution by way of respect and understanding of their religious faith and culture? How will this great divide heal? This is a greater challenge that agreeing on a draft resolution that would lead to a peace agreement.

If it is of any consolation, we have an interfaith activism within the Christian and Muslim religious leaders that is clear with their agenda for peace. The fact that they find that common aspiration and had demonstrated that we can work together with arms locked for unity, peace and understanding is proof enough that we can live together despite the colorful cultural diversities.

RINA DE JESUS

Rosary Heights, Cotabato City