The Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM) would like to reiterate our felicitations to both the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for reaching the landmark Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB). Reaching this stage of the peace negotiations has not been easy as it requires a lot of openness, sincerity, trust and goodwill from both parties.
For the longest time, the MPPM has actively and openly campaigned for its support to the struggle of the Bangsamoro people to their Right to Self Determination (RSD). We believe in the legitimacy of their struggle for nationhood and self-governance. At this time, the FAB is the manifestation of this struggle for RSD.
Meanwhile, MPPM has been consistent with its tri-people framework of advancing the collective rights of peoples for the full realization of their human and people’s rights. Thus, we also recognize the legitimate rights of the indigenous peoples to their right to self determination.
Like the Bangsamoro, the indigenous peoples have distinct identity, culture, traditions, and have been practicing their tribal self-governance even before the colonization period until the present. The indigenous peoples’ way of life is deeply rooted on their lands and Mother Nature.
We understand that FAB is a framework and designed for further substantial discourses on human and peoples’ rights. Since the start of the GPH-MILF talks, the IPs has openly and consistently expressed their positions to be considered in the agenda points of the peace negotiations. The mention of the provisions on IP rights, while a development from previous peace negotiations, are broad statements that do not really give flesh to the aspirations and demanded rights of the IPs who have constantly been marginalized. This vagueness has given rise to uncertainties and scepticism on the part of the Indigenous Peoples. It does not help that the identity of the Indigenous Peoples has been subsumed in the definition of the Bangsamoro.
MPPM, being an organization that adheres to the tri-people principles that respects the rights of peoples especially on their collective rights for RSD, greatly supports the aspirations and assertions of the Indigenous Peoples in ARMM in the light of the FAB. If this assertion would mean for an establishment of an autonomous IP government within the Bangsamoro, we will stand with them in the same manner that we stood with the Bangsamoro in their struggle for the realization of their RSD. We believe that the BangsaMamalu Autonomous Government (BMAG) is the manifestation of the T’duray, Lambangian and Dulangan Manobo’s assertion for the realization of their RSD.
As the FAB is only a guide in the creation of the Bangsamoro, we feel that this is the opportune moment for us grassroots organizations, especially the indigenous peoples within the core area of the proposed Bangsamoro as well as those in the periphery to raise our legitimate democratic demands to be considered in the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). Thus, we are gathering our ranks to firm up our peoples agenda which help us realize our collective aspirations for genuine peace, justice, humane and ecologically sound sustainable development.
MPPM strongly believes that genuine peace can and will only be achieved if this is based on justice and equity. Justice and freedom cannot be fully achieved if any process, such as the current peace negotiations, will result to the oppression and marginalization of other peoples.
Long Live the Tri-People of Mindanao!
Meuyag!
Signed:
Prof. Rodelio Ambangan
MPPM, Chairperson
December 17, 2012
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