One of the eye-openers in the lecture of Prof. Rommel Banlaoi last week (sponsored by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance) is the fast rate at which new rebel groups sprout in Mindanao. Just when the government is nearing the completion of its peace talks with one group, another one makes itself felt that they would be another force to reckon with. It seems so easy for members to move from one group to a new one on the pretext that the previous no longer carry the ideals that they fought for in the first place. 

But then, this is the nature and character of a peace dialogue – complicated, time consuming, need for third parties; that both parties define the issues that both agree with, and analyse the issues that both disagree with; this goes on until a compromise can eventually be reached. This is the reason why some demands are dropped, while new ones are formulated. In other countries, a peace agreement has to be reviewed regularly to check on the validity of the compromise.

What we witnessed in the MNLF faction that “invaded” Zamboanga City this week is an example of a disgruntled group that has been left in the losing end – seeing no change in their poverty status, in their future aspirations, in their place in society as a whole. We can blame this on previous administrations who were forced to “cut corners” just to show the world that a peace agreement has been signed. A review of the MNLF-GRP peace agreement did not really contain solutions to the grievances of the MNLF. There was no financial support, it was silent on what resources will be shared and what the proportion of sharing will be, and the power sharing was less than what was expected for an autonomous region. If it was an experiment – this is now the fruit of that “failed” experiment. Its only advantage is that the experiment was a learning experience for the MILF who are now engaged in a peace process with the government, and has thoroughly studied the missing elements in the previous peace process.

A peace dialogue may take years before an agreement is eventually reached; but there is no better alternative than this to a bloody, armed confrontation. The government has to look into the general situation to find out what leads rebel groups (including the NPA) to break away and form new ones. It has to look at the leaders since the older ones have a different perspective compared to the younger ones. Before the older ones “fade away” and turn over the cudgels to the more aggressive, impatient younger leaders, conciliation must be reached for the young to appreciate the sacrifices and experiences of those who fought ahead of them. The government has to study the social framework which has marginalized many of the rebels because even with the peace agreement, there will still be barriers like rural and urban dichotomies. Finally, the OPPAP must not “cut corners” just to reach the deadline given by the President. It is still possible to obtain a smooth transition at this point in time, and please not to forget the other rebel groups in the peace process.

Eva Kimpo-Tan is the editor-in-chief of The Mindanao Cross, the oldest Catholic weekly in the southern Philippines.