Basilan residents skeptical over peace deal

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - Residents of Basilan, both Muslims and Christians, remain skeptical over the future of the province with the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Malacañang  Thursday.

Residents believe peace and stability in Mindanao would not be an immediate effect of the signing of the CAB.

“While we believe that the CAB will bring lasting peace...the problem is with the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front,” said Alton Angeles, adding that the MNLF must be included in the peace overture.

Angeles, a Yakan native and municipal development coordinator of Tipo-Tipo town, said the general sentiment of the local villagers is one of hope that peace reigns. However, they remain apprehensive of the possible backlash from the MNLF in Basilan province.

“Their sentiment is 'why concentrate on the MILF only when there is also an aggrieved party that has to be dealt with an equal and just attention',” Angeles said.

He said the residents are also apprehensive that the signing means the take over of the leadership by the MILF commanders on the areas that will fall under the new Bangsamoro region.

“There are apprehensions of the villagers that once the agreement is signed the MILF leaders and those members will  (take over) their properties,” according to Angeles.

He said the apprehensions were borne out of the lack of information campaign as to what really the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) means for the people and the MILF members on the ground.

Angeles said residents are skeptical if the leadership of the MILF under the new Bangsamoro region could bring the needed development in all areas under it immediately with equity.

“It will be a long process (before development sets in). It will not be a short one given the doubts as to who will be the implementors,” Angeles said.

“ My opinion is let those, including the local political leaders, allowed to run [for posts] because they know what governance is all about,” he added.

Angeles said under the leadership of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, Basilan and the other areas in ARMM have begun seeing reforms and development.

“One concrete evidence is the completion of the circumferential road in Basilan, which now provides people the access to commerce and government services,” Angeles said.

“so, this is one of the apprehensions whether the MILF local leadership could deliver,” he added.

Some business stalls in Isabela City, an area geographically part of Basilan but politically not under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), closed shops due to  fears of possible outbreak of conflict during the holding of the  peace march in the city.

The peace march and caravan, however, was blocked by the police and military from entering the downtown of Isabela City after the local government turned down the request of the MILF members.

Superintendent Albert Larubis, chief of Isabela City Police Station, said the situation has remained normal in Isabela City.

Capt. Rowena Muyuela, public information officer of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the caravan, however, proceeded to the outskirts of Isabela City as Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar did not issue a permit to allow the MILF members to hold a rally in the city.

She said the peace caravan was held peacefully in the other towns and  in Lamitan City.

Muyuela said areas in Central Mindanao, which are under the area of jurisdiction of Westmincom, have been peaceful and there were no reported cases of “spoilers.”

According to Muyuela, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi also remain peaceful, while the government forces are still on alert.

Meanwhile, Hataman said the ARMM hails the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“Today is the culmination of years of intensive peace talks and marks a new beginning for us, a historic deal that will chart the future of the Moro people. We are grateful to President Benigno Aquino III for showing real political courage in moving the peace process forward,” Hataman said in a statement.

He said the peace agreement should help heal the historical injustices of the past as it gives way to a political setup that will allow the Moro people to exercise self-governance and contribute to the growth and prosperity of this nation.

“We put premium on history and the narratives of our ancestors who fought and shed blood for the cause of their people. While we try to look back to remind our people of our cause, we are moving forward to build a brighter future for our homeland and for this nation,” he said. - Roel Pareño