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PRESS STATEMENT
August 15, 2008
Principled Peace Negotiations not Charter Change
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) fully supports
the peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the
Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The NCCP
maintains that principled negotiations by both parties, which are
sincerely committed to the realization of people's aspirations, is an
essential path towards just and lasting peace (Resolution on the
Resumption of Peace Negotiations, NCCP 22nd General Convention, November
24, 2007).
The issues on the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination are complex.
Ancestral domain is one of them. The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on
Ancestral Domain between the parties is a positive step towards resolving
the conflict. But the MoA has raised many serious and legitimate questions
and doubts are now cast on the sincerity of Malacanang in the light of the
simultaneous resurgence of the moves for Charter Change (Cha-Cha).
The NCCP maintains that amending the Constitution under the present
administration is wrought mainly with the motive for political survival.
Charter Change threatens seriously the remaining nationalist provisions of
the Constitution especially with respect to national patrimony. It will
further liberalize the economy and exacerbate the plunder of the remaining
natural wealth in Mindanao and elsewhere in the archipelago to advance
foreign business interests at the people's expense. This is not the way to
lasting peace.
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We are saddened by the
escalation of hostilities in Mindanao and we condemn the all-out-war
footing of the present dispensation. The cost of this war is a heavy
national burden. We are also concerned that the issue is being used
wittingly or unwittingly by some to fire up ill sentiments against our
Moro sisters and brothers. Our Moro brothers and sisters are also victims
of government moves with hidden agendas like the Cha-Cha. They too, long
for peace. History has taught us that the militarist approach will never
succeed in resolving the armed conflict. Ours is not a government to
conquer. Ours is a government that should serve and protect its citizens.
Principled negotiations start in facing squarely the issues that gave rise
to the long festering conflict. Grounded on this, we must continue to push
for genuine peace talks even as we pray that wars may cease and all people
will enjoy divine providence more abundantly.
REV. FR. REX RB. REYES, JR.
General Secretary
National Council of churches in the Philippines |
