PASAY CITY – Under the Marcos administration’s banner of unity and reconciliation, the national government is determined to implement all signed peace agreements which include the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

To realize this goal, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and the Mindanao State University (MSU) System signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Thursday, July 6, for the implementation of the Transformation Program for the MNLF.

The Transformation Program is anchored on the provisions of the 1996 FPA which put an end to the decades-long armed conflict between the government and the revolutionary group, and brought increased peace, security and stability in the region.

The MNLF Transformation Program aims to facilitate the transition of MNLF members, especially those who were not integrated into the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) under the FPA, as well as their families into peaceful and productive civilians.

The MOA was signed by Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. and MSU System President Atty. Basari D. Mapupuno.

In his message, MSU System President Atty. Mapupuno expressed his gratitude and optimism for the partnership with OPAPRU, saying “It is both a privilege and an honor to be part of the collaborative efforts for peacebuilding and socioeconomic development involving three relevant sectors: the MSU System, the OPAPRU, and the MNLF.”

“Indeed, achieving sustainable peace requires forging strong partnerships among diverse stakeholders. Collaboration is the DNA of efforts towards peace, reconciliation and unity,” Mapupuno said.

For his part, Government of the Philippines (GPH) Management Committee Cesar B. Yano underscored the importance of the agreement to the peace process.

“This Memorandum of Agreement commits us to work together more closely towards our shared objective which is to manage the implementation of the transformation program for former MNLF combatants, their families and communities, contributing to sustainable development and stable peace and security in the Bangsamoro,” Yano said.

OPAPRU Presidential Assistant for Bangsamoro Transformation David B. Diciano highlighted the potential of the MSU to help facilitate the development of MNLF communities.

“We believe that the MSU, as an academic institution, can share and transfer their technologies in all aspects of community-driven development in the MNLF communities, and has also the capacity to sustain the gains through their extension services as we continue to transform the lives of our people,” Diciano said.

The funds for the project are sourced under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn – Locally Funded Project (PAMANA-LFP) under the FY 2023 General Appropriation Act.

These funds shall be used by the MSU System for conduct of community assessments and consultations with MNLF families and communities for the identification of development initiatives; assist MNLF communities in crafting development proposals and implementation of community socio-economic projects in twenty-five (25) priority communities of the MNLF in the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, North Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City.

The MSU shall also lead the actual profiling of 2,000 MNLF combatants in the provinces of Basilan, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato and Cotabato City, and carry out capacity-building and enhancement trainings for monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning requirements of the Transformation Program.

Peace university

The MSU is also pushing for the passage of House Bill No. 969, “An Act Strengthening The Mindanao State University System And Appropriating Funds Therefore” under the 19th Congress which shall designate them as the National Peace University.

Atty. Mapupuno cited the university’s dedication in working closely with concerned government agencies and the MNLF to promote peace, development, and reconciliation in the Bangsamoro region.

“In our earnest quest to become the National Peace University, MSU will always be an active partner of the national government, the OPAPRU, and the MNLF. We share the same vision and objective of establishing lasting peace and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro Region and Mindanao, in particular, and in the whole country in general,” he said.

Meanwhile, Galvez expressed OPAPRU’s “full support to MSU’s bid to declared as a National Peace University.”

Diciano is also optimistic that the MOA, “will support your aspiration to be the National Peace University of the country.”

According to Dr. Mario Aguja, OIC Director of the Institute of Peace and Development in Mindanao MSU-General Santos City, said that this Transformation Program will help uplift the socioeconomic conditions in the areas covered by the program.

Changing mindsets, Changing Lives

In his message, Galvez emphasized the importance of creating a conducive environment for former combatants that will enable them to have a shift in perspective, and lead them towards a peaceful and productive life as civilians.

“The moulding of minds is essentially at the center of the transformation process of the former combatants. It requires a holistic approach. This process does not only involve addressing the socioeconomic aspect of transformation but more importantly the changing of mindsets — from being a combatant into a peaceful and productive civilian. This is the core of the peace process,” he said.

“Through this agreement we have just signed, the MSU under the leadership of President Atty. Basari Mapupuno, the MSU will be helping the OPAPRU in laying the groundwork that will ensure the successful implementation of the Transformation Program for MNLF members, their families and communities,” he said.

“Every life is precious. We need to work together in order to change the lives of our MNLF brothers and sisters,” he added.

Galvez is confident that the MSU will be an able partner of the OPAPRU, emphasizing that “with your vast experience in development work and peacebuilding, there is no doubt that MSU will be able to deliver on the commitments contained in the MOA.” ###