A summit for peace

Here’s a piece I sent to City Forum, a monthly newsmagazine published by Airpinoy Media Communications, Advertising and Entertainment Ventures, Inc.:

A summit for peace

By RAUL G. MOLDEZ
Staff Writer

CAGAYAN DE ORO—NATIONAL security officials and local government executives from various parts of Mindanao converged in this City recently for the two-day Mindanao Peace and Security Summit, July 9-10, 2007, held at the posh Pryce Plaza Hotel. The hastily-called conclave was held five days before the nationwide implementation of the anti-terror law.

Critics despised the holding of the summit, saying it was only for Mindanao as there was no announcement of similar summit for Luzon and Visayas. They also hit the government for disguising it as a public consultation of the ant-terror law as there was no wide participation of the general public in that two-day summit.

Instead, military division commanders and regional police chiefs around Mindanao were present during the summit. A check made by MindaNews, an online publication, revealed that the Summit had a token participation from the non-government sector. From a guest list of 239 participants, MindaNews reported that only 11 were invited—two from the religious sector, a Catholic archbishop and a Protestant pastor; two from the business sector; two from the academe and five from non-governmental organizations.

Curiously, the Commission on Human Rights, a vital agency that would ensure the protection of human rights in the implementation of the Human Security Act, was not in the list of invited agencies. In contrast, the National Security Council listed a 41-person secretariat, the MindaNews reported.

During the summit, the participants were divided into five groups for the workshops: Upholding Human Rights and the Rule of Law; Culture of Peace; Denying Support to Terrorists; Strengthen Counter-Terrorism Drive; and Enhancing Crisis Management Structures and Institutions.

At the culmination of the Summit which centered on the theme “Peace and Security: Our Legacy to the Filipino People”, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo rallied Mindanaoans to become active partners of government in fighting criminality, terrorism and poverty to ensure the continuous development of the war-torn island of Mindanao.

"From this summit, let us strive to create a mass movement of Mindanaoans actively engaged in fighting crimes, terrorism, and poverty," the President said.

Before the President delivered her address, a five-point resolution aimed at combating criminality and terrorism was presented to her, containing the participants' consensus to uphold human rights and the rule of law, promote the culture of peace, deny support to terrorists, strengthen counter-terrorism drive, and enhance crisis management mechanisms and institutions. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the City’s 2nd District presented the five-point resolution to the President. “The reason why I was asked to present the results of the summit workshop is because the President is a Mindanaoan. We are from Mindanao. We are her children. I am her prodigal son. And the prodigal son is very eager to go home,” Congressman Rodriguez said, eliciting a pleasing smile from the President.

“It is our profound conviction that the national peace policy should be made permanent regardless of the leadership in the Administration and Congress and that the priority of development programs in conflict-affected areas will create a positive investment climate and create equal opportunities for Mindanaoans,” Rodriguez who read the MDPS, said.

In response to the five-point resolution, the President ordered the increased security of vital power and transport facilities in Mindanao.

"Let us begin the implementation of the Human Security Act by using it as a tool to prevent all these multibillion-peso hydroelectric dams and power grids from being whacked by terrorists," the President pointed out.

The President said she also ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to find ways to grant the wish of summit participants to increase to 30-percent the share of Mindanao from the national budget.

For a start, the President said she would ask Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap to pour in 30 percent of DA’s budget for farm-to-market roads in Mindanao. The President has also directed the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) to provide its property in Davao City as the new home of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

On the five-point resolution, the President said she would task Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Jesus Dureza to ensure that the objectives of the resolution are carried out.

President Arroyo said he administration will invest in peace and order, conduct economic and political reforms, and strengthen the institutions of government to ensure that civil rights and social justice are also available to all Filipinos.

"We must weed out corruption, stop political violence and build a strong system of justice that people can trust," the President stressed.

She added: "We must all band together as a people and as public servants to stop this violence once and for all."

"If you are armed and kill innocent civilians, you will be tracked down and prosecuted. If you are a communist terrorist, we will stop you. If you are a religious terrorist, we will stop you. If you are a rogue element of our own police or military, we will stop you," the President warned.

The President said her administration would not stop working until lasting peace in Mindanao is achieved, adding that the country’s model for reconciliation is built on the construction of roads, bridges and schools, investments to shore up the local economy, and interfaith dialogue. *