After the signing, what next?

THE framework agreement signed between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Monday in Rizal Hall at the Malacanang Palace is, to many, the start to a new and challenging stage in the Bangsamoro quest for a just and true autonomy.

The Bangsamoro and other Filipinos are wondering what will come next even as those in the negotiating panels expect peace and the implementation of all that have been agreed upon.

However, one must note that the agreement was not signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III or the MILF chairman Murad Ebrahim but by the two peace panel chairs, Marvic Leonen and Mohagher Iqbal.

This is not the first time a peace deal has been signed over this conflict. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) signed the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) accord with the Fidel Ramos Administration in 1996 and some may be confused because the region is now part of the wider Bangsamoro area.

But I am pleased to hear that Hadja Bainon G. Karon, regional vice-governor of the ARMM, attended the signing ceremony. Her presence will give credence to the Bangsamoro accord.

She was at dinner with some friends and me late last month. This is one “chilli padi”, having risen from being a combat soldier.

This deal also has great implications on Sabah because the Mindanao uprising is closely tied to the history of the formation of Malaysia.

An old soldier recalled the painful Jabidah or Corregidor massacre when, on March 16, 1969, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines killed 68 Muslim soldiers whom they had trained, under then President Ferdinand Marcos’ orders, to invade Sabah.

It was said that this massacre eventually led to the rebellion.

Many in Sabah today are more preoccupied with the present state of “IIs” or illegal immigrants and understandably, there was euphoria that the signing of the latest agreement will spell the end to the Sabah “problems”.

There may be those who will shake their heads not believing that there can be a solution so soon.

But current problems need to be confronted head on and settled. Many in Mindanao want to deal with child soldiers and the refugees. I visited a camp where these inter-

nally displaced persons sleep on the ground, with gunnysacks for mattresses and plastic covers as roofs.

Children suffer more as there was no proper food, water and other amenities. When bombs fell and shooting started, the innocent had to run from their homes. Will the armed forces of the Philippines and others help out? Can foreign donors please chip in? A Japanese official whom I met in Cagayan de Oro said they were ready to assist once a proper system was put in place.

The Bangsamoros are a proud people. History will remember them as heroes who, armed with just daggers, fiercely fought the US military. Despite being shot at by US soldiers, they continued to lug forward and finally overpowered their enemies. Because of this, the US commanders begged for more powerful handguns, resulting in the manufacture of the Colt M1911.

Life, some observe, has problems like humps on the road. I fear that individuals like those who obtained the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domains may rear their ugly heads.

Then there is “Rido” which is a term used by the Meranao, Iranun and Maguindanao to refer to clan conflicts or violent retaliation. Many will remember the Maguindanao or Ampatuans Massacre of 68 people, including 34 journalists, just a year ago.

And then there are the oligarchs who may ruin the peace settlement. The Philippines government and enlightened persons of high reputation must contain these elements or spoilers.

I pray that the security and safety situation in the whole of Mindanao will be top priority for both the central and Bangsamoro governments.

On my second trip there, my transport from Bukidnon Malaybalay refused to go to Cotabato city. I was told there were firefights on that route and was taken to Davao instead. The central and regional authorities must ensure the freedom of transportation as travels can open up business.

A friend who attended the event at Malacanang said the organisers had expected only 450 guests but “about 800 turned up”. The MILF leader led a 200-strong delegation. He flew into Manila, the first since he took over from Salamat Hashim in 2003, in a special plane.

Malaysia contributed handsomely towards the achievement of peace through her personnel called “third-party facilitators” and also as head of the IMT International Monitoring Team. They serve directly under the Prime Minister’s Office.

Kudos must go to the Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his chief of Research Department as well. Their presence at the signing ceremony was highly praised.

A 21-gun salute and traditional music by Pangkat Kawayan greeted Najib, thus recognising his contribution.

And the presence of the OIC secretary-general, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, signified recognition of the accord by the Arab/Islamic world.

President Aquino, addressing the 2010 Peace and Security Forum, stated that the then administration “merely paid lip service to the quest for true peace, security and peace”.

Aquino has till 2016 to accomplish comprehensive peace. If he can carry all his ministers and Congress and keep the spoilers at bay, he could be sharing a future Nobel Peace Prize with the MILF and Malaysia. > Former High Court judge of Borneo and Malaya Datuk Syed Ahmad Idid, being an alumnus of the AIM Manila, is keen on the Philippines. He is interested in ‘Rumpun Melayu’ and has friends in the MNLF, MILF and among the Philippines officers.