Editorial posted to the MILF Website (Nov 23): Reality versus illusion
Many a person behaves on the basis of distorted senses or illusion believing it is the real thing. The moment he or she decides while on this state will find himself or herself in regrettable odd situation later.
Many a person behaves on the basis of distorted senses or illusion believing it is the real thing. The moment he or she decides while on this state will find himself or herself in regrettable odd situation later.
With all humility and respect, we say here that the GRP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement (FPA) of 1996 cannot be asserted any more effectively. There are intervening events that render it relegated. We hope the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) reads the signs on the wall.
Of course, we are not saying there are no good elements of this agreement. Certainly, there are several. This is the reason that it is almost a certainty that the GPH-MILF Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) would contain a provision paying tribute to these gains of the Bangsamoro people contained in GRP-MNLF FPA. Surely, the essence of some of these provisions will reappear in the CPA.
Besides and more importantly, all the agreements signed by the MNLF from 1976 onward are part of the cumulative achievements of the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination. They are not in vain; they will be cast as part of this long and glorious history.
It is now time for all those who still genuinely believe in unity, solidarity, and the inclusiveness of the struggle to rally directly or indirectly behind the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) as the real key to solving the Bangsamoro Question, short of independence. Modesty aside, the FAB contains all the good elements of the GRP-MNLF FPA and still added many more ingredients to make the Bangsamoro really self-governing, while remaining effectively as part of the larger Philippine state. Powers and wealth are clearly shared and defined, the essence of real asymmetrical relationship. The establishment of the provisional government sought for decades by the MNLF will be realized with the setting up of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) in 2015, God willing!
What more do we want. Only an agreement on independence can surpass the FAB. The four Annexes, two of which are currently discussed, will make it more defining and concrete. We have all the gain – and nothing to lose—with the FAB. Therefore, all what is needed is for everybody to come to terms and re-embraced as brothers as one people, one struggle, and one destiny.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/670-reality-versus-illusion
Of course, we are not saying there are no good elements of this agreement. Certainly, there are several. This is the reason that it is almost a certainty that the GPH-MILF Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) would contain a provision paying tribute to these gains of the Bangsamoro people contained in GRP-MNLF FPA. Surely, the essence of some of these provisions will reappear in the CPA.
Besides and more importantly, all the agreements signed by the MNLF from 1976 onward are part of the cumulative achievements of the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination. They are not in vain; they will be cast as part of this long and glorious history.
It is now time for all those who still genuinely believe in unity, solidarity, and the inclusiveness of the struggle to rally directly or indirectly behind the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) as the real key to solving the Bangsamoro Question, short of independence. Modesty aside, the FAB contains all the good elements of the GRP-MNLF FPA and still added many more ingredients to make the Bangsamoro really self-governing, while remaining effectively as part of the larger Philippine state. Powers and wealth are clearly shared and defined, the essence of real asymmetrical relationship. The establishment of the provisional government sought for decades by the MNLF will be realized with the setting up of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) in 2015, God willing!
What more do we want. Only an agreement on independence can surpass the FAB. The four Annexes, two of which are currently discussed, will make it more defining and concrete. We have all the gain – and nothing to lose—with the FAB. Therefore, all what is needed is for everybody to come to terms and re-embraced as brothers as one people, one struggle, and one destiny.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/670-reality-versus-illusion