Assert the right to self-determination of the Tri-Peoples, build just and lasting peace, and work for genuine development in Mindanao!
We, the Tri-Peoples (Katawhang Lumad, Bangsamoro, Migrants and Descendants) of Mindanao-Sulu-Basilan-Tawi-Tawi-Palawan participating in the 5th Mindanao People’s Peace Summit in the Islamic City of Marawi, to discuss ways to advance democratic political options for peace in Mindanao—
Assert our collective fundamental right to self-determination and commitment to just and lasting peace and sustainable development in our Homeland, with full recognition of our socioeconomic, political, cultural and religious diversity;
Maintain that our right to self-determination can be served in many forms, such as free association, autonomy, federalism, and independence;
Uphold that the most peaceful and democratic way of resolving the issue of self-determination of the Tri-Peoples is the conduct of a United Nations- supervised/ managed/facilitated referendum on the above political options;
Believe that the government’s total war policy threatens the achievement of just and lasting peace and creates a spiral of violence detrimental to our people and environment;
Propose that the way to peace and development requires the systematic resolution of political, economic, and socio-cultural problems, including long-held biases and prejudices that have prevented our genuine appreciation of each other’s actual and potential contributions;
Commit ourselves to continue exploring ways to correct historical mistakes and misunderstandings that have led to the persistence of violence and destruction;
Call for an openness from the different peoples, as well as the various armed groups operating in our Homeland, to build communities of peace, to find their path to harmony and tolerance, and to resolve the fundamental causes of conflict;
Support efforts of all concerned parties to bring all forms of relief (physical, social, legal, political and spiritual) to the Tri-Peoples caught in the web of conflict;
Appeal to the Philippine government to resume peace talks with the armed rebel groups operating in Mindanao, to refrain from insisting on the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) framework; to stay the hand of war that has scuttled many initiatives from civil society groups; and, to address the valid concerns these armed groups raise;
Encourage the different armed rebel groups to go back to negotiations, with an openness and flexibility needed to facilitate a genuine dialogue and resolution of issues;
Emphasize the need for continuing consultations with all affected parties and communities and civil society groups, especially the Katawhang Lumad, in the conduct of all peace- and development-related processes; and,
Underscore that aside from ending the cycle of violence, the government and Mindanao Tri-Peoples are challenged to address the lack of social services; lack of food sovereignty; continuing export of contract labor; threats to youth, women and children, environmental degradation and climate change; and, the chronic economic crisis brought about by globalization.
With our resolve to pursue all peaceful means, we invite all peoples of goodwill around the world to join to this journey to just and lasting peace and sustainable development in our Homeland.
Done in the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM)
Mindanao State University, Islamic City of Marawi
15 December 2008.
Signed:
Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM)
Sarip Auliya St., Block 3, Bagua 2
9600 Cotabato City, Mindanao, Philippines
telefax: +63 64 4211358
e-mail: mppm4peace yahoo.com
website: www.mppm.info