Link:  Peace, Autonomy, and Democracy in Mindanao 2011

“Peace, Autonomy and
Democracy in Mindanao”
RTD Proceedings

In his inaugural address, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III provided an insight on how he plans to deal with the decades long conflict in Mindanao: “My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We are committed to a peaceful and just settlement of conflicts, inclusive of the interests of all – may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian.” Many peace stakeholders welcomed this statement from President Aquino III, who swept into office on the wave of the people’s discontent over the corruption and excesses of the previous administration, and the promise of reform.

In his State of the Nation address, he reiterated this principle when he said: “Armed conflict can only be achieved through peaceful political negotiations.” He added that the government plans to resume the talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) after Ramadan. This was welcomed by the MILF in a statement; “Coming from the Chief Executive himself, his pronouncement that the peace talks would resume after the Ramadan gives hope to the people of Mindanao when it comes to the peace process.”