Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza called on the leaders of various indigenous people groups of Mindanao to come up with an advisory council that would help the ongoing peace process negotiations with the different rebel armed groups.
In a press statement, Dureza emphasized that the IPs are the ones who could suggest the best solutions as they are the ones who could best understand their situations.
“Therefore, you are also the ones who can recommend the best solutions – for this to happen, you also need to come together as one,” Dureza emphasized in Bisaya during an IP peace table conversation in Midsayap, North Cotabato.
The advisory council will provide voices and guarantee critical parts for the “national minorities” in the peace arrangements with the National Democratic Front and in executing of Bangsamoro concurrences with the Moro fronts.
Prior to this, Dureza emphasized that making an IP counseling committee would ensure that a more comprehensive and straightforward peace process under President Duterte’s administration.
“We cannot promise to give all the requirements you mentioned, but what we can promise is that we will present your concerns during the negotiations,” the peace adviser underscored.
Dureza explained that there is a need for the IPs to sit down and discuss the problems and possible solutions as “we cannot solve your problems for you because we do not know what your problems are.”
He also reminded the leaders that they may start working on their concerns even before the final peace agreement will happen.
“We must not solely rely on the peace agreements. If we can act now for the betterment of your welfare, we can do so and not wait anymore for the signing of peace pacts,” Dureza pointed out.
The meeting with the IP leaders is part of the continuing consultation process of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process with the “bigger peace tables” to discuss their concerns and participation in the peace process.
Dureza explained that the negotiating table is a smaller table which involves the government and the rebel group while the ‘bigger peace table’ is the general public, which will be affected by the issues tackled in the smaller table.
“It is necessary to listen to the bigger table,” Dureza said.
As a continuing engagement, there will be an upcoming peacebuilding conversations with different stakeholders in Surigao del Norte and Compostela Valley on January 12, Thursday.
Dureza guaranteed the representation of the indigenous groups in the new and expanded Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) in drafting the law for executing of all Bangsamoro peace deals and other correlated measures, including the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997.
