Executive will not appeal decision on territorial agreement

MANILA, Philippines - The government will no longer ask the Supreme Court to reverse its decision that declared as unconstitutional a proposed territorial deal with Moro rebels. In a press conference Wednesday in Malacañang, Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita said the Executive, through Solicitor General Agnes V.S.T. Devanadera, would just inform the high court that it is implementing the court’s recommendations even before the ruling was released. "There will be no filing anymore for reconsideration on the part of the government panel. The Solicitor General will file the manifestation to the Supreme Court as a reaction to the decision on the MoA-AD (memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain) which will state that things contained in decision are actually happening and being done by the President," he said. The Supreme Court on Tuesday declared as illegal the MoA-AD between the state and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), saying the government-negotiating panel exceeded its authority by guaranteeing an amendment to the Constitution. The court said the government should hold consultations with stakeholders who may be affected by the agreement. The MoA-AD would have expanded what is presently the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to include parts of Palawan in Luzon and South Cotabato, Zamboanga City, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur in Mindanao. The deal also seeks to establish a Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, where Filipino Muslims would have greater say in political and economic matters. The agreement was rejected by mainly Catholic-dominated areas which claimed that the negotiating panels did not consult them. New paradigm Mr. Ermita said the government has adopted a new paradigm in pursuing the peace process by conducting negotiations with local communities rather than with armed rebels. "The important thing about the paradigm shift is the focus on dialogue with communities not only with armed groups. Negotiations will be taken in context of demilitarization, demobilization and rehabilitation," he said. "Right now dialogue has been going on at different levels both with local executives and civil sector NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) that represent communities in Mindanao and affected areas," he added. Mr. Ermita said the President cannot be accused of violating the Constitution as she has instructed the government panel to ensure that the talks are consistent with the Charter. MILF officials had said that they no longer have faith in the government as it has discarded what it called as a "done deal." They warned that the failure to return to negotiations would lead to armed conflicts. Mr. Ermita, however assured, that the security forces are ready to defend the communities from renegade MILF rebels. "Our security forces are in constant readiness, police operations will account for the lawless groups," he said. Generally stable Meanwhile, the situation remains "generally stable" in Central Mindanao, military officers said Wednesday. In a telephone interview with Defense reporters, Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado allayed fears that hostilities may escalate in the aftermath of the high court ruling. "Basing on the situation in Central Mindanao Wednesday, the military sees no indication of escalation of hostilities," Mr. Ibrado said. He said that based on field reports in Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces, the situation remained stable. Wanted MILF leader Ameril Umbra Kato is believed hiding either in Maguindanao or North Cotabato. "Based on the report of our brigade commanders, majority of the male civilians are staying in refugee camps and there is no chance for the rebel MILF groups to recruit these civilians," Mr. Ibrado said. No encounters between the military and MILF rebels have been reported in Central Mindanao as of press time. Mr. Ibrado said it will be difficult for MILF groups to recruit civilians since the military has limited the hard-line rebels’ operations. "Aside from degrading their [rebels’] capability to launch attack, majority of the civilians have also lost their sympathy to these rebels because of the atrocities they have committed," he said. In a separate interview, Col. Benito de Leon, commander of the 104th Infantry Brigade based in Lanao del Norte, said MILF rebels in their area no longer have the capability to regroup. Rebel groups in Lanao del Norte are under wanted MILF commander Abdullah Macapaar alias Bravo. — Alexis Douglas B. Romero and ETM, BusinessWorld