The Institute of Bangsamoro Studies
Building Capacities for Peace Process
The GRP and MILF
Presentation by: Professor Abhoud Syed M. Lingga
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GRP-MILF Negotiations
- Negotiations to solve the Mindanao problem were confined with the MNLF before the 1996 Peace Accord.
- Contacts between the GRP and the MILF were at the informal level.
- August 3, 1996, Sec. Ruben Torres met MILF vice chair for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar in Davao City.
- Another meeting was held in Cagayan de Oro City on Sept. 9-10, 1996 where issues on cessation of hostilities and creation of technical committees to draw talking points and guidelines of ceasefire were discussed.
- Jan. 7, 1997, first meeting of the technical committees of GRP and MILF Peace panels. The start of the formal negotiations.
The Role of Local Government Units in Addressing the SPSG Problem
Presentation by: Professor Abhoud Syed M. LinggaClick Here to Download Complete Powerpoint Presentation of this Article.
The problem
The core issue of the problem in Mindanao is the continuing assertion of the Bangsamoro people for their right to self-determination and independence.
Their assertion for independence is anchored on their historical experience in state formation and governance and their “unpleasant” experience under the Philippine Republic.
History tells us that before the arrival of the Spanish colonialists the Bangsamoro were already in the process of state formation while Luzon and the Visayas were still in the barangay stage of political development.
The U.S. Role in the Mindanao Peace Process
Bangsamoro Perspective
Presentation by: Professor Abhoud Syed M. Lingga
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US-MILF contact (1)
Ambassador Ricciardone raised the point that the U.S. Government wants to know what the MILF wants or how the conflict would be resolved when he addressed FOCAP last January. To clarify the issue, the late MILF Chairman Salamat Hashim wrote President George W. Bush last January 20, 2003 informing him of what the MILF wants and inviting the U.S. to assist in resolving the conflict between the Bangsamoro people and the Philippine government.
US-MILF contact (2)
During President Arroyo’s state visit to the U.S. President Bush announced in the joint press conference: “The President and I also reviewed the development with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front – MLIF. That group must abandon the path of violence. If it does so, and addresses its grievances through peaceful negotiations, then the United States will provide diplomatic and financial support to the renewed peace process.”