New book tells story of Mindanao peace process | ABS-CBN

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New book tells story of Mindanao peace process

New book tells story of Mindanao peace process

Jasmin Romero,

ABS-CBN News

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Muslims women sought the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in a rally outside the Philippine Senate in Pasay City in this 2015 file photo. ABS-CBN News

A book that tells the story of the Mindanao peace process has been launched by the Australian embassy with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorley said the book, "Mindanao, a long journey to peace and prosperity," provides an in- depth examination of the latest stage of the still ongoing process.

She said it was written by authors who are closely engaged in the peace process. "(It) presents a rich analysis of the historical protocol and economic context of one of the most protracted conflicts in the world," she added.

"As a partner of change, Australia has been supporting peace and investing in development in Mindanao. Our support to the peace process is a significant aspect of our 70-year partnership with the Philippines," Gorely said.

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Book editor Dr. Paul Hutchcroft said after years of collating all the essays contributed by the authors, the book could help the present government to determine the next steps towards peace.

Also present at the event were leading personalities in the peace process: OPAPP Secretary Jesus Dureza; OPAPP Undersecretary Diosita Andot; Professor Miriam Colonel-Ferrer, former chief government peace negotiator; Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal; and Amina Rasul, president of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy.

For Rasul, the book "could not have come at a more appropriate time."

"For the first time in Philippine history, the president hails from Mindanao. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has decades of experience in Davao city which is surrounded by conflict-affected communities," she said. "While he understands the complex peace processes with the Muslim liberation fronts, his administration will benefit from the analysis of the experts who have contributed to this volume."

One of the authors of the book, Colonel-Ferrer, recounted a conversation when she was asked by a foreign counterpart about the most difficult thing about the peace negotiations. She said, "without thinking, I said 'everything. The journey is not something for the faint-hearted, not a process for those who don't have the kind of real determination to see it through.'"

When asked what advice she would give the Duterte administration on the peace process, she said "ang mahalaga dito talaga kung paano ito isusulong sa pagitan ng government at MILF. Kung ano man ang adjustments na gagawin, kailangan may agreement".

Ferrer is also willing to help the new administration. "Hindi naman kailangan na formal na consultant. Nadiyan pa rin ako, handang magbigay ng observations at tumulong."

Iqbal, meanwhile, said that the the Bangsamoro Basic Law should be passed as promised by Duterte during his campaign "and make it as a template as a template for federalism in this country."

"He is extremely popular, and he is a decisive leader," he said.

"I believe this book will be another useful volume towards a better trust and understanding of the Bangsamoro," he added. "Certainly, we in Mindanao have a long journey to take. We don't know how long it will take and when it ends."

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