GRP-MILF domain pact concerns business group

MANILA, Philippines - A business group added its voice Friday to the growing clamor for transparency in the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD)signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) placed an ad in the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper voicing "grave concern" over the lack of transparency in the MOA-AD. "This dismal situation is the direct consequence of totally insufficient consultation withy the people and the lack of transparency in the deliberation of the provisions of the MOA-AD," it said in its statement. It added a just and hard-fought peace must not come at the price of the equally hard-earned Philippine Constitution, sovereignty and unity. According to the MAP, the MOA-AD has sown confusion and raised tension in Mindanao and the rest of the nation, to the point that it is endangering the whole peace process itself. "More than at anytime we appeal to all stakeholders, particularly the GRP-MILF peace panel, to engage the entire nation in an open discussion of the contents of the MOA-AD," it said. "We believe that any peace agreement should respect sovereignty and territorial integrity. As such we oppose any attempt to dismember our country by laying the foundation for the creation of an independent and sovereign Bangsamoro state, which will be given exclusive ownership of the areas delineated as their homeland," it added. It also opposed provisions granting the MILF, through the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) exclusive ownership over the Bangsamoro homeland and removing this area from the public domain. The MAP likewise voiced concern over the deal's allowing the BJE to void all contracts entered into by the Philippine government in the territory in question. On the other hand, MAP called for a stop to all threats of all violence and the issuance of irresponsible statements that, it said, only sow confusion, heightening tension especially in affected areas in Mindanao. "Instead, let us collectively strive for peace within the framework of the Philippine Constitution. Let us respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Filipino nation. As well let us all support a genuine process for a sustainable and lasting peace," it added. - GMANews.TV