“Dialogue Mindanaw” culminates in Tawi Tawi
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BONGAO, TAWI-TAWI, March 15 – The enervating summer heat coupled with power interruptions, did not
dampen the spirit of 397peace advocates here to actively take part at the conclusion of the nationwide
reflective dialogues that would help resolve peacefully the Mindanao conflict that has hounded the country
the last four decades.
The outcome of the dialogues would help shape peace negotiators of the government and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) find a genuine and lasting solution to end the Mindanao problem.
“Mindanaw Dialogue” is a series of consultations launched by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the
Peace Process (OPAPP) in collaboration with civil society to provide the people, particularly the stakeholders
the opportunity to be heard on the views and opinions in the ongoing peace process.
The consultation was held at the Datu Amirbahar H. Jaafar Convention Center of the Mindanao State
University here. It was the last of the 13 series of reflective dialogues.
For the past three weeks OPAPP has engaged stakeholders in various areas in Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao in an effort to inform and consult the people on fundamental issues surrounding the peace
process.
“Dialogue Mindanaw” aims to get the pulse of the people from all sectors on ticklish issues that will be taken
up in the peace talks between the government and the MILF.
In her inspirational message, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Annabelle T. Abaya said the
reflective dialogue a joint effort of the government and its peace partners to create a space for everyone to
speak out their mind.
“We want the people will speak out. We want your voices to be heard,” she added.
Abaya expressed optimism that the peace process with the MILF would continue to gain ground.
“Ang kapayapaan ay mahirap makamit. Ito ay nadadan sa isang kasunduan lamang. Kaya lagi ko sinasabi
na usaping pang kapayapaan ay para sa matitibay ang loob at puso, (Peace is very difficult to attain. That is
why I always say that peace talks are only for the strong hearted.)” she said.
Abaya thanked the regional management team, civil society partners and all stakeholders who shared their
time and ideas for the successful conduct of the dialogue series.
“Pagkatapos po ito ay pagsasamahin and mga inpormasyon na nakuha sa buong Pilipinas. Ito ay ibibigay
sa mga peace panels ng pamahalaan at MILF, (We will consolidate all the information gathered from the all
the dialogues conducted nationwide and present it to the negotiating panels of both the government and the
MILF)” Abaya said.
Haj Wilhelmina Aluk Hussin, an academe professional who joined the small group discussions, expressed
disappointment that some people, particularly those directly concerned, do not realize the importance of
such dialogue.
“Muslim ka man o Kristiano, dapat ay makisama sa dialogue. Importante na mapaabut ito ng gobyerno sa
mamamayan. Hindi dahil Muslim kami ay para sa amin lang ito, (Whether Muslim or a Christian, everyone
must participate in the dialogues. It is important that the government is able to do this for the nation. This is
not only for us Muslims)” she said.
Kemal Kenoh, a municipal assessor of the local government of south Obian, also sees the importance of
the reflective dialogues.
“Out of this, we can have the latest development on the negotiations between the government and the MILF,”
he said.
“At least maipapahayag namin ang aming opinion tungkol sa peace talks, (At least we will be able to
express our opinions about the peace talks) ” he said.
Hussein commented that Tawi-Tawi is relatively peaceful unlike other areas in the Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
However, she feels that the source of conflict in their area is the people’s lack of access to basic services.
“The source of conflict here is poverty. Hindi natutugunan ang basic needs ng mga tao. Hirap ang kuryento,
hindi umaabot ang potable sa ibang lugar,” she said.
Hussein related the development gaps that Mindanao has been experiencing up to the present.
“If you will look at Mindanao it is not as developed as Luzon and Visayas. I hope that development reaches
Mindanao. I hope we will be given fair chance to grow,” she said.
Hussein also hoped that the government will conduct more dialogues in the future.
“This is very important and necessary. I hope this will not only be the time that dialogues would be
conducted,” saying the grassroots would be able to participate as well, not only the professionals,” Hussein
concluded.
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