Peace Deal in the Philippines

The BBC is carrying the following story about a peace deal in the Southern Philippines between the government and the largest rebel group seeking an independent Muslim state. In broad terms this looks like a good thing, any peace deal which results in the an end to armed conflict has to be supported, plus this region should have a greater share in the disposal of it’s natural resources. However, there are elements to deal which at first glance give some pause for thought.

Firstly, although this is a majority Muslim area it is not a completely Muslim one, there are a number of Christian villages, and communities here. Are there safeguards in place for them? Secondly, whilst it is good that the MILF is seeking to negotiate as opposed to engage in armed struggle what of other Muslim rebel groups also active in this area? International Christian Concern is reporting threats made against churches, Catholic priests and bishops in Mindanao, as well as the extrotion and kidnapping of Christian villagers in the Sulu Archipelago.

Philippine government negotiators say they have reached a deal with
a Muslim rebel group to expand an autonomous region in the south of the
country.

Villagers affected by the plans will be asked to vote within 12 months on whether they want to join the new area.

A larger autonomous region is something the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has sought for decades.

The Philippine president’s peace adviser said a framework agreement could be expected early next month.

“A breakthrough has been achieved in the issue of ancestral domain…
tonight, with the signing of a joint communique,” said Hermogenes
Esperon.

The BBC correspondent in Manila, Michael Barker, says Monday’s announcement is being seen as a major step forward.

Earlier this month both sides agreed to an expansion of the
region, but the deal appeared in doubt as they could not agree on a
timeframe.

Just last Saturday, there were reports that the Malaysian-brokered talks had collapsed.

But negotiators now say these differences have been ironed out.

Fragile truce

The long-running Islamic insurgency in the south of the country has cost some 100,000 lives.

The MILF is the largest of several Muslim separatist groups battling the government in the predominantly Catholic country.

Formal talks between the government and MILF began in 2003,
after the rebel group, which is thought to have around 11,000 members,
signed a fragile truce with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s
government.

The new agreement envisages the extension of the present autonomous region in Mindanao to include a further 712 villages.

The proposed homeland will be entitled to a large share of the resources in the area.

The new region would expand on an autonomous territory that was
originally created in a deal with another Muslim rebel group, the Moro
National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Back at last…

At long last I’ve managed to make it back onto the Blog!

Since leaving the Philippines it has been a little crazy. We left Cebu mid-May and had a few days in Bristol. Then we had a holiday, and then we moved up to West Bridgford. A couple of weeks settling into the new house, and then I started work last week as the vicar of St Giles. It has been busy but it has also been great. A concern was how well the children would take to the moves, and we are relieved that they’ve made the adjustment as well as we hoped they could. Our eldest has started at school, and made some good friends. One thing that has really helped that is that a couple children in his class are from church families, which is great.  

I was licensed by the Bishop of Sherwood on Tuesday 1st July, and then we were off! The last week, as you might expect has been about meeting with leaders in the church and getting a feel for them, and their vision for St Giles. i’m encouraged to find a lot of enthusiasm and creative ideas to move forward. The church has seen significant growth over the last few years, particularly among young families and through Alpha, and the challenge is to keep that momentum going. Thankfully there is a strong sense that this is a challenge we need to face together.

I’m looking forward to seeing where God will lead us in the future.