The promise was made in a dialogue initiated last April 2 by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) headed by Secretary Teresita Q. Deles to listen to the concerns of the peace stakeholders here in this island of lush jungles and those who hate the Abu Sayyaf.
Deles travelled by land to get here, passing through a combination of cemented roads and long stretches of backbreaking dirt roads from the provincial capital Isabela City.
Colonel Raymundo Ferrer, commander of the Army’s 103rd Brigade; Colonel Darwin Guerra, commander of the 32nd Infantry Battalion (Army 2nd Division) in Lamitan, Basilan; MNLF Commanders Jann Jakilan, Usong Ubong, and Usman Agkang; MILF Commander Bonnie Salih, Mayor Madz Maturan, and civil society advocate Elisa del Poerto were among those who participated in the dialogue.
Deles, with OPAPP Assistant Secretary Dimasangkay Pundato, assured the MNLF of the government’s commitment on the landmark 1996 peace accord.
"The government will complete the implementation of the peace agreement with the MNLF. President Arroyo said her administration will complete the implementation before the accord’s 10th anniversary on September 2, 2006," the OPAPP chief said.
"With the MILF, the peace process is going well. Substantive talks (not yet formal negotiation) will resume April 16 in Malaysia. What is most important in the peace process is the participation of all the people," she added.
Deles said negotiations, if left only with the two contending sides, will not be sustained.
She congratulated the military, the MNLF, and the MILF for the generally peaceful environment in the province.
"Basilan is really gearing, moving towards development. Where we were once, Tipo-Tipo before was a dangerous place to visit. Today, Secretary Deles and her delegation are here," Jakilan said, adding, "for the MNLF, war is history. There is no more reason for fighting. I ask everybody to work seriously for peace."
Jakilan lauded the efforts of Colonel Ferrer, thanking him for the cooperation.
Guerra was proud for the former MNLF combatants who are now integrees with his command. He presented to Deles 2nd Lieutenant Aldizon H. Jumlail, who heads the Bravo company.
"Ex-MNLF combatants now with the 463 troops in my command, half of them former MNLF men, led by 2nd Lieutenant Aldizon Jumlail, are outstanding and effective officers and men. We have no doubts about their dedication and loyalty," Guerra said.
The AFP officer, who traces his roots to the Guerras of Cotabato City and Datu Piang, Maguindanao, said Jumlail is holding a very important responsibility, with his two armored cars, a mortar, and over 100 men, majority of them former MNLF rebels.
"We as soldiers do our best to protect the republic, work for peace, and relate with the people," Guerra said, who cited the transformation of the MNLF rebels into peacebuilders, commending also the regular soldiers for working well with the integrees.
Ubong of the MNLF National Command brought out the need to complete the implementation of the peace accord while Salih said they have been waiting for a peace settlement so they could start working for development.
"Give us chance. Give us development," said Salih of the MILF in Basilan. "Peace must be achieved in the whole of Mindanao, not only in Basilan."
Deles said while the government acknowledges its part in the 1996 peace accord, the MNLF must also accept its responsibility towards the accord.
