Text of the closing remarks delivered by Akbayan Rep. Barry Gutierrez during the forum “Implications of Mamasapano to the Peace Process: Moving Forward” organized by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance. The whole-day forum held at Dusit Thani Hotel, Ayala Center, Makati City was attended by legislators, opinion makers, ARMM leaders, civil society organizations and other stakeholders. This transcript is from his blog. 

We stand on the edge of a knife.

That is how I would describe where we are now as regards the peace process with the MILF in the wake of the tragedy at Mamasapano. And as we stand on this knife-edge, depending on which direction we step, we can make or unmake a fragile peace agreement, which after decades of conflict, and despite everything, still presents the best opportunity at ending the war and establishing a lasting peace in Mindanao.

In the immediate aftermath of Mamasapano, there were numerous, angry calls to abandon the peace process as passions, understandably, ran high. Ongoing discussions in Congress on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the next crucial component of the peace agreement, were suspended, pending the results of several inquiries into Mamasapano. Some even proposed to go beyond suspension, and talked about scuttling the BBL, and the peace talks, altogether.

Those who from the beginning were dubious of the peace talks with the MILF, as well as others with the more general agenda of simply attacking the incumbent Administration, were, of course, quick to capitalize on this upsurge of public emotion. On a wide variety of fronts, questions ranging from the Constitutionality of the BBL, to the trustworthiness of the parties to the negotiation, even to the loyalty of government negotiators, were raised. And while some concerns were undoubtedly valid, and even perhaps well-meaning, it increasingly became more and more difficult to separate constructive criticism from unfounded condemnation, efforts to strengthen the peace from thinly disguised warmongering.

Today, 39 days after Mamasapano, the questions remain. But thankfully, at least in my own estimation, some of the angry rhetoric has died down — thanks in no small part to the untiring and determined efforts of peace advocates, from Mindanao to Luzon, both Moro and Christian — and hopefully, this once again allows us space for a sober and intelligent discussion of issues, with the view, of course, of moving the peace process forward.

At the House of Representatives, for instance, the Bangsamoro Basic Law Ad Hoc committee Chair, Representative Rufus Rodriguez, has declared the resumption of the hearings on March 9, Monday next week, after weeks of suspension. And, rest assured, we are getting ready for this, particularly with respect to answering some of the concerns raised in the past weeks.

Similarly, outside of the halls of Congress, peace advocates, concerned citizens, and civil society groups have also launched campaigns to dispel false notions, win broader public support for the peace process, and move it forward. And the importance of these efforts cannot be overemphasized.

The events of the past few weeks have made it is apparent that the road to peace will not be an easy one. But if there is one thing that Mamasapano has made clear, if there is one thing that the deaths of 67 Filipinos in Mamasapano should underscore for all of us, is that now, more than ever, we must stay the course to peace. This is because the tragedy of Mamasapano vividly and violently illustrates the cost we pay, and will continue to pay, for the absence of peace.

We stand on the edge of a knife. But if we can stand, side by side, and hand in hand, we can traverse that narrow and difficult path to the peace we need.