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The Suara Bangsamoro (Voice of the Bangsamoro) and the Liga ng Kabataang Moro (League of Moro Youth) unite with the entire Bangsamoro people on its quest for peace vis-à-vis resumption of peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).   

Bai Ali Indayla, national secretary-general of Suara Bangsamoro, believes that the ‘present attitude of the Arroyo administration towards the GRP-MILF peace negotiation is a testament of insincerity in attending Bangsamoro’s welfare.’

“We support the peace negotiation but with the records of human rights violations and disrespect of the government towards signed agreements, there could be no true and genuine peace agreement that could be signed under the US-Arroyo regime,” Indayla said.

The groups also deem that while Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo still in power and with Gen. Hermogenes Esperon as the appointed ‘peace czar’, it is difficult for the Moro people to believe that the talks on Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) will resemble the Bangsamoro’s vision for a community free from imperialist plunder and warlord domination.

“Should the peace negotiation resume, we demand that Gen. Esperon be removed for he does not bring peace to the Bangsamoro. His records of human rights violations as one of the brains of series of all-out wars towards the Bangsamoro people will surely taint the spirit of peace in the negotiation,” Indayla said.

Further, the groups also challenge the government to stop declarations of all-out war in respect to the impasse of talks, pull-out AFP troops in Moro areas and stop terrorist-tagging to MILF and innocent Moro civilians.

“While we call for the resumption of peace talks, the Bangsamoro people could not afford to stay mum should the government betray once again, we will continue to fight against the attack of our civil and political rights and right to self-determination,” Indayla said.

Peace talks have been on halt because the government the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are not in agreement on the scope of Bangsamoro judicial entity (BJE). MILF asserts that the ancestral domain they demand is not only all about lands. it also includes the waters and the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The GRP do not agree on certain provisions raised by the MILF. GRP limits the scope of BJE and it is a huge problem said the Suara Bangsamoro group to WorldFutures.

The Bangsamoro people want that the peace talks to be resumed, “that's why even the government always delay it we still call for its resumption,” the movement said.

The main rally is in Cotabato city but it is simultaneous held in other areas too, such as in Tacurong, General Santos, Davao, Pagadian, Basilan and the towns of Pikit and Pagalungan in Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces.

The Suara Bangsamoro group says the rally is just a manifestation that the bangsamoro people want a peaceful way of attaining our demands.

The group added that there are countries such as libya who are willing to support the resumption of the peace talks but even the Libyans are beginning to believe that the GRP are not sincere in their words.

To a question on foreign influence in the region, Suara Bangsamoro said they are sure there will be a big move by the Bangsamoro people soon in Southern Philippines especially now that the US will start its oil exploration in the territory.

“History reminds us that the Tausugs will be really to fight back. They have had enough of wars and human rights violations with the hands of US troops. Remember the bud dajo and bud bagsak massacres in Jolo, Sulu,” WorldFutures was told.

The group also mentioned the lack of confidence in the GRP taking example the pull out of Malaysian troops here in Cotabato city as part of the international monitoring team.

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Wow best article
written by Asir Husain, July 05, 2008

Wow That was the best article ever i read before in worldfutures.info!

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