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| Speech of the President during 1st Anniversary of signing CAB |
One
year has passed since the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the
Bangsamoro. On March 27, 2014, we invited all those who worked hard to craft
this agreement to Malacañang: the members of different government agencies,
together with our uniformed services; peace advocates who had long awaited this
agreement; the representatives of different countries who joined in our
success; all the stakeholders of the Bangsamoro, they who are sick and tired of
conflict and violence; and of course, our brothers and sisters in the MILF who,
out of a desire to put an end to this decades-old conflict, wholeheartedly
showed, and continue to show, that they are trustworthy, and that they, like
us, aspire to peace. At the signing, we looked back on the long process of
crafting an agreement that is just and fair to all. In drafting this, we laid
out the transformation we wanted to bring to a system that had long been abused
by many, and we put to record our dreams for the Bangsamoro. What I said then:
“If
we sustain the momentum for peace, by 2016, the MILF will have shed its
identity as a military force, and transformed itself into a political entity,
casting its stake in democracy by vying for seats in the Bangsamoro elections.
The Bangsamoro shall form a perimeter of vigilance against the spread of
extremism… From this shared security, we shall enhance the era of prosperity
that is dawning upon our region, and harness its energies towards creating a
regime of opportunity and inclusivity where no one is left behind.”
Was
it not a great honor to have achieved this agreement, and was it not gratifying
to proudly tell the whole world that we Filipinos—though scattered among many
islands, though possessing different beliefs—have a shared aspiration for
peace? That we can put aside our differences, and focus on what binds us as a
nation? It saddens me to see that, after only one year, we have seemingly
forgotten the hope that we felt back then. Instead, we have replaced it with
distrust, unwarranted suspicion, and anger.
The
path to peace is not easy. The first thing we did: We identified the
real problem, so that we would be able to implement the correct solution.
Let us remember: The conflict in Mindanao began during the dictatorship because
of land-grabbing. The law was used to exploit the uneducated, and deny them of
their land. It is unfortunate that no one thought that if abusing the law was
the root of the problem, then it would be reasonable, just, and acceptable that
law also solve it. Until now, we feel the effects of neglecting this problem.
But it is also clear that, today, your government adheres to a different
point of view. We already have initiatives in place, for example, that protect
indigenous rights and care for ancestral domains.
The
Bangsamoro Basic Law is one of the most important proposed bills of our
administration. It answers the two most pressing problems of our countrymen:
poverty and violence. This bill is the product of 17 years of extensive study
and negotiations.
Even
then, there are those who oppose its enactment. Unfortunately, their criticism
solely stems from a lack of understanding of the BBL; take, for example, their
statements that there will be a separate police force for the Bangsamoro once
it is enacted into law. Should we trust those who say that the peace talks
should be ceased, yet offer no other solutions? If we believe these people,
where will they take us?
For
my part: If the proposed bill is lacking, it can be addressed by pushing
through with the debates on it. With the continuation of hearings about the BBL
in Congress, each one is given an opportunity to understand the proposed bill.
We believe: An initiative that arose out of good intentions can be fixed by
those who likewise have good intentions towards their fellowmen.
I
am fully aware that the events in Mindanao, together with the incident in
Mamasapano, have sowed doubt in the minds of our countrymen. The result: it has
pushed aside the objective evaluation of the BBL.
To
address this, I am inviting citizen leaders known for their wisdom and
integrity to stand as independent convenors. These include Luis Antonio
Cardinal Tagle, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr., Jaime Augusto Zobel
de Ayala, Howard Dee, and Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman. They will gather other
responsible and respected leaders to spearhead a National Peace Summit to
deliberate on and discuss the BBL. They will dissect the proposed law in a calm
and reasonable manner that will not incite anger and hopelessness. This way,
the BBL can be improved. They will write a report that will be made public, so
that everyone may be informed, and so that more of our countrymen may
understand the matter. In this manner, we will be able to advance a reasonable
decision as regards the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Expect
that, as we move closer and closer to attaining our long-held dream for peace,
the cacophony that aims to dismantle our trust in each other will also grow
louder. It is only right and prudent for us to prepare, for them not to
succeed. Thus, we must also carefully examine their motivations. If they truly
desire to serve their constituencies, shouldn’t they be on the side of peace? I
get to wonder now: Are the ones calling to put a stop to the BBL those who will
be the most affected by the transformation that we seek to make permanent for
the Bangsamoro? Perhaps, their sole intention is to lord it over our countrymen
once more, the moment that the old system is restored.
There
are also those who call for an end to the peace process. They say that all-out
war is the way to go. And I ask them: What gain do you see from waging war? Now
that we are moving forward as a nation and are on the cusp of success, do they
really think that we should advance violence, only to bring us back to the path
of hardship?
Previous
administration have tried an all-out war approach. All-out war has been the
response since the 70s. How did that turn out for them and for us? The only
result: hundreds of thousands of casualties, ruined livelihoods, and a status
quo of suffering in Mindanao. Is it not clear that their approach was wrong?
What were the results? Did the conflict end? Didn’t such an approach lead to
the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos? There were reports that,
during the time of Mr. Marcos, blackouts were purposefully done to conceal the
arrival of body bags, so that no one could see the large number of casualties.
Consider
this: if the peace process is derailed once more, we will lose ground for
sincere dialogue with leaders, and with all the Moros who are ready to listen
to reason and who genuinely seek peace. Isn’t it possible that they too might
be pushed to join those who want violence? If the troubling situation in
Mindanao worsens, the wounds would grow deeper, and more persons would resent
their condition. Those who were previously neglected and abused by the system
and by institutions will further feel mistreated. Those who have never been
reached by the assistance of government will suffer all the more. Do you think
that, should all this happen, they will be sincere partners in peace talks
after being hurt, after shedding blood, and after being persecuted?
We
all know the reasons behind the spreading influence of bandits such as the Abu
Sayyaf. Some communities have long been denied service and care from the
government. Given this lack of support from the government, the Abu Sayyaf
compensated for the neglect. While the government only showed itself to these
communities during elections or military operations, the Abu Sayyaf was there
and, despite causing trouble, it saw to the needs of these communities. Because
of this, the Abu Sayyaf earned their sympathies. There were even those who
coddled the Abu Sayyaf, because they benefitted from their presence.
This
is the crossroads we face: We take pains to forge peace today, or we count body
bags tomorrow. To those who have called for all-out war as the solution, do you
think we’ll be able to talk peace after the shooting has started, when the
wounds, and the failure of the talks, would be raw?
Perhaps
it is easy for you to push for all-out war because Luzon and Visayas are far
from the conflict. But if the conflict grows, the number of Filipinos shooting
at other Filipinos will grow, and it would not be out of the question that a
friend or loved one be one of the people who will end up inside a body bag. If
this is where it will end up, the sacrifices of those who have given their
lives for our much-desired peace would have been wasted. If you ask the
soldiers, police, and other uniformed ranks, they would be the first to oppose
war, because they would bear the brunt of it.
Let
me make it clear: This decision is not just for the remainder of my term, but
for the benefit of the next generations. To you young people, will you suffer a
society in which you would be required to march into war instead of fulfilling
your dreams? To the parents: Would you want the next generation to inherit a
future marked by conflict? We will not allow for this to happen. We will
continue on the path that will bring us closer to peace.
When
before they stood on opposing sides, today, the MILF and our government are
engaged in dialogue. But our partners in the MILF, Al Haj Murad and Mohagher
Iqbal, are not getting any younger. There is no guarantee that those who will
follow them will show the same trust and the same desire to lay down arms.
Should we fail to pass the BBL, how can we urge their men to continue the
search for peace? Should that happen, would it not be easier for the violent
elements in their ranks to say, “See, negotiations and dialogue lead to
nothing, our guns are still more powerful.” Let us remember: The potential of
two generations has been wasted because of conflict. Now that we are all here,
are we going to allow the succeeding generations to meet the same fate?
Allow
me to emphasize, once again: Violence cannot resolve violence; anger can never
come to an end, if it is also met with anger. Only compassion can put an end to
violence; only love can extinguish anger. Is it too much to ask that Filipinos
show compassion and love to their fellow Filipinos? No one can deny that, if we
attain peace, the standard of living in the Bangsamoro will rise. And when one
region rises, so too does the entire country. Indeed: peace is the only path to
our aspirations of inclusive growth.
On
this day, God willing, may we be reminded that we have a golden opportunity at
present to attain peace, and ensure that the positive fruits of laying down
arms will enlighten those who wish to sow chaos. God willing, may we remember
that a brighter future waits; we need only to strengthen and continue what we
have already started. Let us reinforce our trust; let us reinforce our hope;
these will be our contributions to an orderly and prosperous society, one that
we can be proud of, and one that we can bequeath to the next generations. I do
not pursue peace just to add to my legacy. What we are pursuing is a genuine
peace that truly addresses the roots of the problems that led to violence. At
this point in our history, I say to all of you: The BBL will make this a
reality.
Good
afternoon and thank you to everyone.
TAGALOG TRANSLATION CLICK HERE.
Source GOVPH
Tagged +PH Government Reform
TAGALOG TRANSLATION CLICK HERE.
Source GOVPH
Tagged +PH Government Reform
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