Peace Advocates Question President Marcos’s Silence on Peace Negotiations
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Peace advocates have voiced deep concern over President Marcos’s silence on the fate of political negotiations between the government and communist rebels during his recent State of the Nation Address (Sona). The absence of any mention of peace talks in the speech left many questioning the administration’s priorities for the next three years.
Bishop Felixberto Calang of Iglesia Filipina Independiente, convenor of the Sowing Seeds of Peace in Mindanao, stressed that peace and social healing remain crucial pillars for sustainable development. He emphasized that for a society long marked by political and social strife, such as the Philippines, moving forward through peace is essential.
“For societies that underwent a long period of social and political animosity such as ours, coming to terms and moving forward in peace is a significant cornerstone of development,” Calang explained.
Peace Negotiations: A Missed Opportunity
Calang highlighted that the ongoing negotiations represent a critical chance to end more than five decades of armed rebellion, deeply rooted in the country’s social and economic inequalities. He expressed disappointment that President Marcos did not provide a clear update or commitment regarding these talks.
“I was hoping to hear a definitive statement from the President about the talks, but there was none,” he said. The lack of mention signals to many that the peace process with communist rebels, represented by the National Democratic Front (NDF), is not a priority for this administration.
Moreover, the President’s claim that there are no longer any rebels in the country drew criticism. “I don’t know what nation he is reporting on,” Calang remarked, countering Marcos’s statement during his Sona: “At long last, there are no more guerrilla groups in the country. Government will ensure that none will be organized again.”
This declaration echoed earlier claims by the Armed Forces of the Philippines about dismantling all communist New People’s Army guerrilla fronts nationwide.
Security Efforts and Regional Peace
President Marcos also highlighted cooperation between government forces and former rebels in maintaining peace within the Bangsamoro region. He noted that these efforts have contributed to a more peaceful society that respects human rights.
Despite this, peace advocates argue that peace talks alone are insufficient without addressing the root causes of insurgency. Calang pointed out the urgent need to tackle socioeconomic issues, such as land distribution for landless farmers, which fuel rebellion.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of political reforms. “The political system is dominated by political dynasties, making it less responsive to ordinary people’s concerns,” Calang said. Reforming the partylist system to ensure real representation for marginalized sectors could be a starting point.
“The recent midterm elections marginalized pro-people politics. Politics is only for the moneyed,” he added.
Peace and Security: Calls for Clearer Direction
Karlos Manlupig, executive director of Balay Mindanaw, a prominent peacebuilding organization, rated the President’s performance as “subpar at 49 percent”. He pointed to unmet economic promises, including stagnant wages amid rising costs that push workers to seek jobs abroad.
He also lamented the lack of clarity on peace and security, especially regarding the remaining commitments under the Bangsamoro peace agreement. These include the intricate process of decommissioning and the historic first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.
Manlupig described the brief mention of communist rebels in the Sona as “underwhelming and in fact dismissive.”
Voices from Indigenous Communities
In South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur, Timuay Labi Leticio Datuwata, supreme chieftain of the Timuay Justice and Governance—the indigenous political system of the Teduray Lambangian tribe—expressed disappointment over the Sona’s limited focus on the Bangsamoro and its lack of programs targeting indigenous peoples (IPs).
“It’s very clear that there’s no program for the IPs, especially on their protection,” Datuwata said. He has long advocated for enhanced protection of IP leaders, who face ongoing threats while defending ancestral domain claims.
“There was no specific program intended for IPs as a whole in the country, how much more for the non-Moro IPs in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM),” he added.
Datuwata criticized the administration’s emphasis on business and investment, which he fears might jeopardize the ancestral lands of indigenous communities.
Looking Ahead
The silence on peace negotiations with communist rebels during President Marcos’s recent Sona has sparked significant concern among peace advocates and indigenous leaders alike. They call for a renewed focus on peace talks, socioeconomic reforms, and genuine political representation to address the root causes of conflict and ensure lasting peace.
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