Former GPH chair ‘ecstatic’ over peace deal

MANILA, Philippines – The government’s former chief negotiator in peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) quietly watched and applauded the signing of the Framework Agreement on Monday, October 15, at Malacañang’s Rizal Hall, happy to see the peace process arriving at its long hoped-for successful conclusion.

“I feel happy, ecstatic,” former Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff Rodolfo Garcia said in an interview after the ceremonies, when asked how he felt about the historic event.

Garcia, who became a member of the government panel in 2004 and its chairman in 2007, said more work needed to be done “but with the tenacity, the resolve of both panels which they showed in coming up with this Framework Agreement, I’m sure that they will be able to hurdle the obstacles that are farther down the road.”

On July 27, 2008, Garcia initialed with his MILF counterpart Mohagher Iqbal the controversial predecessor of the Framework Agreement – the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) – which was later junked by the Supreme Court.

Responding to questions, Garcia said he and the rest of his panel had also pushed for the “aspirations of the Bangsamoro people for self-determination.”
“I do not want to make any comparisons. There are differences but more similarities. The bottom line here is that the two sides agreed to come up with this Framework Agreement and that’s all that matters. We have taken a huge step forward towards reaching a  peace agreement or a comprehensive agreement that would surely be very good for the Bangsamoro and the rest of the country,” he said.

Garcia said previous panels had all contributed one way or another to the 15-year-old peace process with the MILF, “culminating in the signing of this Framework Agreement.” 

“I’d like to believe that we were able to do our own part,” said Garcia.

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo dissolved Garcia’s panel on September 3, 2008 to provide a “fresh approach” to peace efforts by reconstituting the panel. 

At the time, the Arroyo administration was questioning the sincerity of the MILF in pursuing the negotiations because of its refusal to surrender its rogue commanders, Ameril Umra Kato and Abdullah Makapaar alias Bravo, who had conducted violent activities in Central Mindanao after the government, facing strong opposition, refused to sign the MOA-AD. – Rappler.com

Read the full text of President Noynoy Aquino’s speech: Agreement paves way for enduring peace in Mindanao

Read the full text of the Framework Agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on the establishment of the new autonomous political entity, Bangsamoro, that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

For related stories, read:

• BIFM insists on separate Bangsamoro state
• Leonen: Let’s debate the Bangsamoro deal
• Apl.de.ap to help Bangsamoro children
• MILF plans to form party
• Mixed feelings on the roadmap to peace