Philippino government and MILF reach peace deal

[hellheaven1987]

MILF?

The Philippine government has reached a framework peace agreement with the country's largest Muslim rebel group, President Benigno Aquino says.

The deal follows long negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to end a 40-year conflict that has cost more than 120,000 lives.

It provides for a new autonomous region in the south, where Muslims are a majority in a mainly Catholic country.

The MILF is "very happy" with the deal, a spokesman was quoted as saying.

The agreement was reached after talks in Malaysia and is expected to be signed formally on 15 October in the Philippine capital, Manila.

A copy of the framework deal says the parties commit to reaching a "comprehensive deal" by the end of the year.

"This framework agreement paves the way for a final and enduring peace in Mindanao," President Aquino said in a speech to announce the deal, referring to the main southern region.

But he added: "The work does not end here. There are still details that both sides must hammer out."

Correspondents say the agreement marks a major breakthrough, though previous peace efforts have broken down and negotiations with the MILF over the last 15 years were interrupted by violence.

The Philippine government's chief negotiator Marvic Leonen told the BBC that the new peace deal has more political support than previous agreements, after the negotiation panel held more than 100 consultations with Muslims, Christians, and local and regional governments.

The MILF's vice chairman for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar told AFP news agency: "We are very happy. We thank the president for this."

It is hoped that the agreement could be implemented on the ground by the end of President Aquino's term in 2016.

Source

This is a great news since MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) has been operating as the major insurgent group in Mindanao since 1980s, and when I was studying in Singapore there was concern that MILF might link with Al-Qaeda by providing operation base for them in exchange for training and financial aid. Now, finally after a long struggle both sides agree on a peace treaty that is very interesting and many points are favored for local population.

The key points of agreement are:

- Creates new, larger autonomous region
- Gradual decommissioning of MILF forces
- Guarantees democratic and human rights
- Pledges development and fair sharing of natural wealth
- Expansion of Sharia courts for Muslim residents

Those agreements look great overall as it ultimately benefit the local population economically while respect their Islam tradition. Hopefully it would set up an example for several similar conflicts, such as the conflict between certain government in Anatolia and certain group of freedom fighters in Middle East ().

[Freelancer Tex]

I thought you meant t... never mind.

[Treize]

Oh for God's sake, Hellheaven!

[Erwin Rommel]

Lol, why persist in spelling with ph and double p when filipino is more suitable and correct.

As for the peace deal, its not signed yet, though both have agreed on the draft terms.

Then P-Noy will release the details, in the interest of public access to information and a major storm will happen with pundits, and the like decrying the bills, suits will be filed, from unknown citizens just to raise hell (but not the legislature, the minority is not that influential, but hey that does not stop Arroyo or Marcos from saying stupid stuff. God I hope they are gone by 2013.)

As for the details. Meh, ARMM, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao just got replaced with "Bangsamoro" and added some new places.

Law creating Bangsamoro region
Deles also acknowledged that while a roadmap on how to proceed with the peace process has been forged, further details, which will be in the agreement's annexes, will be discussed.
The framework agreement and the annexes will be part of the crafting of the legislative measure creating the Bangsamoro region.
"The framework agreement is general principles and broad strokes. There will still be annexes that will have to be negotiated that will be part of the comprehensive final peace agreement. You will see in the framework agreement that the main track is the creation of the new political entity through legislation," Deles said.
She added that they aim to complete the annexes before the end of the year, which will then be adopted to form the comprehensive settlement. She emphasized however, that while there are still details left to be ironed out, the framework agreement stands as a roadmap and the process will begin immediately.
"What we are confident of is that we have an agreement that we can implement. We have an agreement that is a roadmap that is reasonable," she said. - Rappler.com

Ironic. ARMM was made to make peace with MNLF, now Bangsamoro is made for MILF.

Now then after this, to more pressing matters. Like claiming Sabah.

[Elianus]

This is so disappointing
I expected something more like

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Manuel I Komnenos]

Guarantees democratic and human rights

And MILFs didn't have those rights? God, there are still so backwards societies?

[hellheaven1987]

And MILFs didn't have those rights? God, there are still so backwards societies?

I think this is a guarantee that the Sharia laws would not go beyond certain line.

Lol, why persist in spelling with ph and double p when filipino is more suitable and correct.

Be honest I am confused when should I use which; but since I received proper Singapore education I would use "Ph".

[Lord Baratheon]

Yet another surrender to the evil sharia ideology.This agreement contradicts itself, 'more democracy and human rights' with 'sharia courts for muslim residents'.Completely incompatible.Yet another example of the Islamic ideology and its ability to interact with the rest of society.Tell me this, if a woman is born into a Muslim family does she now have to wear a burqa or face the sharia courts, yet the same thing would not happen to a Woman not born into Islam, yet still a citizen of the Philippines.Saddening, I almost wish it were about MILFs..........

Now then after this, to more pressing matters. Like claiming Sabah.

No,no,no it wont look right on the map.

[Erwin Rommel]

Tell me this, if a woman is born into a Muslim family does she now have to wear a burqa or face the sharia courts, yet the same thing would not happen to a Woman not born into Islam, yet still a citizen of the Philippines.Saddening, I almost wish it were about MILFs..........

Nah, they cant force her. Philippine law still trumps Sharia since mostly, Sharia is adopted when grievances involving muslim to muslim.

So relax, no honor killings, or apostasy killings but maybe I cant walk my pet pig while holding a liquor in some places.

[Erwin Rommel]

And MILFs didn't have those rights?

They like to portray themselves to be victims, that the powers that be in Manila are favorable to christians, and they want to secede from that.

I think this is a guarantee that the Sharia laws would not go beyond certain line.

Sharia law has been part since 1977. Though mostly about muslim to muslim grievances.

So I dont see mandatory headscarves yet. Though some Cotabato City has no alcohol.

Thats a bummer. I was anxious to visit it with my pet pig.

[mongrel]

MILF?



Source

This is a great news since MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) has been operating as the major insurgent group in Mindanao since 1980s, and when I was studying in Singapore there was concern that MILF might link with Al-Qaeda by providing operation base for them in exchange for training and financial aid. Now, finally after a long struggle both sides agree on a peace treaty that is very interesting and many points are favored for local population.

The key points of agreement are:



Those agreements look great overall as it ultimately benefit the local population economically while respect their Islam tradition. Hopefully it would set up an example for several similar conflicts, such as the conflict between certain government in Anatolia and certain group of freedom fighters in Middle East ().

Sounds similar to the Northern Irish Good Friday agreement. This approach worked in South Africa too, although less so in Zimbabwe. It would be good if certain Middle Eastern countries take note of this.

[Lord Baratheon]

Sounds similar to the Northern Irish Good Friday agreement.

Which was certainly not perfect.Was it really moral to give into the paramilitaries.?

[mongrel]

Which was certainly not perfect.Was it really moral to give into the paramilitaries.?

What? As opposed to blowing eachother to pieces? I would have thought that was a no-brainer myself. What did the state lose? Nothing.

[hellheaven1987]

What did the state lose? Nothing.

Indeed, Filipino government in fact solves several problems at once.

1. It prevents further violence continues, which hammer the economical development of that region considerably.

2. It appease Muslim population in south, which has a long history of distrust towards Christian north.

3. And most important of all, it pulls MILF to Filipino government instead force them to cooperate with Al-Qaeda, which prevents a Mali style situation in SEA.

Overall, it benefits both sides, as MILF knows itself cannot survive without the funds of central government. I really hope such similar approach can be applied to several similar conflicts too, such as the war between Turkey and PKK (but I guess Ankara's neo-Ottamanism would not allow them to do that).

[mrmouth]

This would be the successful counterinsurgency started roughly the same time as OEF-A. Costs the US taxpayer around $50 million/year and involves roughly 600 US military/intelligence personnel training and aiding Filipinos to do their jobs.

[Lord Baratheon]

What? As opposed to blowing eachother to pieces? I would have thought that was a no-brainer myself. What did the state lose? Nothing.

Are you talking about Northern Ireland here or the Philippines?If Northern Ireland then your mistaken.Is that the basis of your arguement,that these evil murder gangs(on both 'sides' btw) were blowing people up, so we should appease them with an agreement,created through public support from Irish-America(how strange that Sinn Feins revoultionary Marxist anti-Americanism should dissappear at the promise of financial aid).How could it be moral to release these criminals(prsioners as they call themselves).Where is the Justice.

How would you feel if someone in your family was a police officer murdered by the I.R.A, then to hear that that murderer had been released.Now we have a carve-up govt thats complete lack of any economic sense is ruining Northern Ireland.Peace only when it suits Sinn Fein.How they must laugh at our weakness.The only positive I see from the agreement(apart from a prosponing of violence obviously)was the right to hold an Irish Passport in Northern Ireland(something I have Btw).

Sometimes its not always right,nor does it set a good example,to appease violence.

[Erwin Rommel]

Most of those aid where in the guise of infrastructure building to make the locals accept them and rarely related to military matters. Military would be for Balikatan excercises. Unless the odd occasional drone for surveying.

(Indeed quite helpful. It guided the Phil. Marines in killing an Abu Sayyaf leader by ramming his boat into 2 in the dead of the night.)

[I WUB PUGS]

I wish Tom had made this thread, then we'd at least have a photo of a Filipina MILF.

[Vítor Gaspar]

Great acronym.