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Razon briefs 12 UN agencies, 15 donor countries on RP peace process

Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 Written by Filipinas Press Sunday, 05 April 2009 00:00

MANILA --– Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino I. Razon Jr. on Thursday briefed 27 representatives from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and international donor countries on the current status of the government's peace efforts in resolving the Mindanao conflict.

Renaud Meyer, UNDP country director, invited Razon to give a briefing for officials of the UN Expanded Theme Group (UNETG) on Mindanao comprising heads and representatives of UN agencies and donor organizations.

Razon echoed the pronouncement of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that 2009 would be the "comeback year" for the peace process after armed hostilities broke out in some parts of Central Mindanao following the aborted signing of the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in August last year.

He said the renewed fighting between government forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) "has had a tremendous impact on the peace process, such that government had to rethink its policy and strategy not only for the GRP-MILF peace negotiations but for all peace efforts with rebel groups."

In line with the new paradigm adapted by the government as enunciated by the President, Razon outlined that the peace process is focused on the conduct of authentic dialogue with stakeholders and communities, with the Bishops-Ulama Conference at the forefront and the pursuit of peace negotiations with rebel groups in the context of its Social Integration Program (SIP).

The government has also reconstituted a new panel composed of Ambassador Rafael Seguis as chair, with former Rep. Adelbert Antonino, representing the local government units (LGUs); Rep. Ronald Adamat, representing the Lumads; Lawyer Tomas Ong Cabili, representing the Christians; and Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman under holdover capacity and his replacement will be named soon.

Razon said the GRP panel will be supported by a group of advisers coming from different sectors of society.

The President has issued a new directive containing the guidelines on the conduct of talks with the MILF, he said.

"The goal of the negotiations is a negotiated settlement with the MILF to achieve peace in Mindanao," Razon said.

He stressed that the parameters, particularly in defining social change shall be constitutional and with public sentiment.

"The directive also reiterates Social Integration Program as the overall framework governing our engagement with the MILF in peace talks, as well as authentic dialogues with the people in the communities as the more important focus of the peace process," Razon said.