Sustaining peace after the ink has dried
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- Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr.
Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., is the presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation and unity. This opinion piece originally appeared in the Manila Bulletin.
What happens when the ink in peace agreements has dried? This was the main question on the minds of delegates to the international conference dubbed “After the Peace Agreements: The Bangsamoro and Beyond.” Not only was our question fully answered, but we were also greatly inspired by the peacebuilding work that we have done over the years.
As I listened to the insights shared by peace workers, public servants, international development partners, diplomats, community leaders, and members of the academe at the two-day conference, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride over what we have achieved in pushing forward, sustaining, and building on the gains of peace in the Bangsamoro and beyond.
The participants came from different parts of the globe — Colombia, Nepal, Aceh, Timor-Leste and the Philippines. Each had a different history, a different conflict, and a different healing process. Yet, in each story that they shared, one thing was clear: the journey to peace is, and will never be easy. It is a long, difficult and oftentimes, painstaking process.
On the other hand, the gathering also highlighted stories of hope, determination, and empowerment of those who have worked on the frontlines of peace. It was a testament to the indomitable human spirit and our ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and emerge better, stronger, and more resilient than ever before.
Atty. Benedicto Bacani, executive director of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (AIG), the conference’s organizer, put it beautifully in his remarks: shared humanity and relationships are the keys to unlocking true peace. I could not agree more. For all our policies and roadmaps, it is the human heart that plants the seeds of peace.
This is why the Bangsamoro peace process stands out. It is not perfect by any means. But it is honest, transparent, and holds all stakeholders accountable. More importantly, it is anchored on a shared vision, as It aims to build institutions that will outlast political transitions while keeping the people’s best interests at the center.
Hearing Interim Chief Minister Abdulraouf Macacua’s vow to strengthen good governance in the BARMM was a reminder that the region’s leadership understands the magnitude of their responsibility. For them, good governance must be the backbone of a more peaceful, progressive and developed Bangsamoro.
Comfort Ero of the International Crisis Group took notice that peace initiatives are becoming too transactional. Mr. Ero emphasized that genuine peace must be built on the principles of inclusivity, human rights, and institutional reforms. She said these were the “hallmarks” of the peace process in the 1990s.
With every session held during the conference, I realized how far the Bangsamoro peace process has come and what it has become. Just a decade ago, the region was synonymous with conflict. Today, it is viewed by nations across the world as a model for inclusive, sustainable, and people and transformational-centered governance.
When our international partners laud the Government of the Philippines for what it has achieved, we view these accolades not as a compliment but as a validation of the hard work, commitment and sacrifices made by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members, women, civil society, community leaders, and all the peace stakeholders.
Where exactly are we in the implementation of peace agreements? We are in the process of transforming the lives of our former combatants, their families, and their communities. This remarkable transformation is not only in the material or physical sense but a significant shift in our mindset.
This is why the convergence between the Government Implementing Panel and OPAPRU is crucial. At the same time, both the Government and the MILF Peace Implementing Panels must set a unified vision and create a new joint roadmap. The OPAPRU shall deploy its peace mechanisms and coordinate with concerned agencies to turn this roadmap into reality.
The CAB was signed in 2014, and the peace process faces new challenges not present a decade ago, particularly regarding the youth. Therefore, implementation must not be rigid; it requires flexibility and creativity to adapt to these emerging realities and ensure the agreement remains relevant.
The imperative for Bangsamoro elections is now beyond debate. As affirmed by the recent ruling of the Supreme Court, the conduct of elections in the BARMM must proceed without further delay. We must inject a profound sense of electoral urgency into this process. Protraction of the polls will only serve to inflate public expectations to unsustainable levels, exponentially increasing the political and social risks associated with a crucial and historic democratic exercise. The longer it takes, the higher the risks.
I welcomed the messages of MILF Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal, who affirmed the MILF’s full transition into a democratic political party. For his part, Member of Parliament Randolf Pacasio of the MNLF emphasized the historic convergence of the MNLF and MILF peace tracks as key milestones in the transition period from ARMM to BARMM.
Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, the former chair of the government peace panel for the MILF, underscored that reintegration efforts can only succeed when livelihood, political, and social concerns of combatants are adequately addressed. Her insights struck me deeply because we must always favor humanity over our deliverables. She emphasized it is not about the quantity of what we give them, but about providing what they rightfully deserve as partners in peace.
President Marcos Jr. has said, “There is only one peace, and that is when the bloody tally of war is replaced by the scoreboard of development.” For us at OPAPRU, it means that peace must be felt in the daily lives of the Bangsamoro people. If they feel dignity, security, and hope, then we are succeeding.
As I left the conference hall, I carried with me a renewed sense of purpose. Indeed, we have achieved major milestones under the Bangsamoro peace process. But there is still much work to be done. Let us, therefore, continue the conversations we have started, deepen our collaborative efforts, and forge ahead in this shared peace journey.