DAVAO City, Dec. 4, 2009— Konsult Mindanaw (KM), the research arm of the Bishops Ulama Conference (BUC), in their findings highlighted the unified clamor of Mindanaoans for peace and not war.

Following their series of consultation initiated by the eight regional centers in Mindanao, the study showed that majority of the people want the peace talks to continue in Mindanao.

KM got more than 5,000 respondents from the eight regional centers in Mindanao and a total of 4,916 participants in the 311 focus group discussions (FGDs) where they answered four questions like “What is your vision of peace?;” “What are your recommendations on the peace talks between the GRP and the MILF?;” “What can you recommend on the broader peace process?;” and “What can you personally contribute—or even sacrifice—for peace in Mindanao?.”

The consultations were aimed to ensure greater participation of the greater number of stakeholders in the Mindanao peace process.

During the consultations it was also found out that “people are confused on the diverging views and actions of offices of the government in dealing with conflict and rebellion as well as on the position of the different Moro groups and their supporters.”

However, “the people consulted are still searching for sincerity as expressed in consistency and coherence of actions from all parties.”

The participants also made recommendations during FGDs like “the need to develop a more cohesive and rationalized government peace mechanism and to let the different government agencies dealing with the peace process including congress, local government, National Security Adviser, and other agencies to forge a strong coordination.”

“To choose peace panel members who are known to have credibility and passion for Mindanao and to give them a clear, strong, and wide range of mandate to negotiate,” also one of the recommendations.

The groups consulted also urge Moro groups and solidarity partners to present a more unified approach towards peace in Mindanao and to let the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to focus on key consensus points.

Part of the recommendations highlighted the need for religious and spiritual leaders to have a place at the table discussing plans toward a peaceful and just society as observers or regular participants.

“Examine roots of conflict particularly land conflicts as well as skewed laws and policies in the past that dispossess ethnic groups,” it added.

Moreover, they also recommended the need to include women’s perspectives in the peace talks and to regulate the use of firearms.

“Disband, abolish, disarm armed groups and private armies through the concerted efforts of the religious/tribal leaders, civil society and the academe with the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP),” it said, adding:

“Clarify and delineate the roles of the AFP and the police and to synchronize the peace negotiations with all armed groups.” (Mark S. Ventura)