MANILA, May 8 (PNA) — Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said the recent findings of polling firm Social Weather Stations (SWS) validate the government’s efforts of pursuing peaceful resolution of armed conflict with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for just and lasting peace in Mindanao.
The poll shows that a lot of Filipinos consistently prefer from 1999 up to now the pursuit of peace negotiations with the said moro armed rebels, with whom the current administration has succeeded to ink a Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in March last year.
“This affirmation provides us with a strong resolve on our part to pursue to its successful conclusion the commitment of the Aquino administration for the political settlement of armed conflict in the country, particularly in Mindanao, for which we are currently working on the passage of the BBL as provided by CAB,” Deles said.
According to the SWS survey, 45 percent of respondents see peaceful negotiations as more effective in dealing with the MILF, while only 20 percent said military operations are more effective. The remaining 35 percent said both military operations and peaceful negotiations are equally effective.
The survey was conducted nationwide with 1,200 respondents from March 20 to 23, in the aftermath of the tragedy in Mamasapano which claimed nearly 70 lives last January.
“What the SWS findings confirm for us is that Filipinos prefer peaceful negotiations as a more effective way of dealing with the MILF since December, 1999,” Deles said. “We have known that the unfortunate Mamasapano incident had negatively affected the peace process, thus the decrease in the numbers on the Bangsamoro peace processes’ net satisfaction ratings.”
The peace adviser added that she “sees the decrease as a challenge, a call to action to all peace builders to step up our efforts further in this peace process, especially the passage of the BBL, which is significant in affirming the true desire of the public for peaceful means of resolving conflicts.”
People’s faith in peace talks will not be wasted
Deles emphasized that the passage of the BBL will bring the country to another crucial phase in ending the conflict in Mindanao.
“The struggle for just and lasting peace is not ending with the expected passage of the BBL by Congress,” she emphasized. “The work to address causes of armed conflict continues with our good governance reforms, provision of alternative options for all armed combatants and other rebel groups to lay down their arms, and other programs that aim to address the roots of armed conflict towards a progressive and cohesive Philippines.”
Deles assured the public that their belief in the effectiveness of peace negotiations will not be wasted.
“We will work harder to ensure our people’s belief that peaceful negotiations are a more effective means of dealing with MILF will be worth their trust,” she said.
The peace adviser said the SWS survey results gives encouragement to peace advocates to continue working for the passage of the proposed BBL.
“The SWS findings encourage all peace builders to continue working for the passage of the BBL,” Deles said.
The proposed BBL is currently under deliberation in both chambers of Congress, and is expected to be passed in June according to a timetable outlined by Congressional leaders. (PNA)