AMIN - Anak Mindanao sa Kongreso - Congressman Mujiv S. Hataman, Party List Representative

Privilege Speech on the Malaysian pull out from the IMT

PRIVILEGE SPEECH ON THE MALAYSIAN PULL OUT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MONITORING TEAM

Rep. MUJIV S. HATAMAN
Anak Mindanao Party List

Distinguished members of this Honorable Chamber, guests, assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi taala wabarakatuh. peace and blessings be upon us all… most especially peace.

Yesterday, this representation filed a Resolution seeking the Sense of this Noble House on the pull out of the Malaysian contingent in the International Monitoring Team, which is providing support to the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

At nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat ng mga Kasama na sumuporta at pumirma sa nasabing resolusyon. We were able to immediately gather 74 signatures.

Mga kasama, gasgas na po kung sa gasgas ang panawagan para sa Kapayapaan sa Mindanao . Kung tayo nga pong mga Pilipino, kahit kaming mga Mindawon, ay nagsasawa na sa tila walang patutungahang usapan, hindi po natin masisi kung ang ibang bansa tulad ng Malaysia , na tumutulong lamang sa atin ay mawalan na rin ng pasensya at mag pasyang bawiin ang inalay na tulong.

Ngunit wala man sa ating kapangyarihan ang tumutol sa paglikas ng Malaysia, at wala rin sa ating mandato ang mang-usig sa kanilang desisyon, ang inyo pong lingkod, bilang Representante ng Anak Mindanao, ay nananawagan sa inyo, mga kasama sa Kapulungang ito, na makiisa sa aming panawagang ipagpatuloy ng Malaysia ang kanyang pakikilahok sa International Monitoring Team.

Perhaps this issue on the withdrawal of the Malaysian contingent from the IMT is of little significance compared to the gigantic problems of food shortage, the Myanmar tragedy, or the China Earthquake to which we all extend our sincerest sympathy.

However, it is always said that prevention is better than cure. If there is a way for us to prevent the impending tragedy that is bound to occur if the IMT loses its current standing with the pull out of Malaysia , let us do it now.

What is this impending tragedy?

Ladies and Gentlemen, since the formation of the International Monitoring Team, there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of clashes between the forces of the GRP and the MILF, from 698 in 2002 and 559 in 2003, to only 15 in 2004, 10 in 2005, 13 in 2006, 7 in 2007 and 1 in the first quarter of 2008, or a total of only 46 in four years.

Mga kasama, sa tuluyang pag-alis ng Malaysia sa IMT, hindi po malayong muli tayong babalik sa daan-daang sagupaan bawat taon na nagiging sanhi ng pwersahang paglikas ng libo-libong inosenteng sibilyan, kahirapan, at kamatayan.

Ayon po sa report ng Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, ito lamang pong pag alis ng unang dalawamput-isang (21) Malaysian peace monitors ay nagdulot na ng pagsasara ng Apat na Teams ng IMT, ang Team Sites ng Iligan City, Zamboanga City, General Santos City at Metro Davao. Ibig pong sabihin, wala nang peace monitors sa mga probinsiya ng Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, South Cotabato, Sarangani at Davao provinces.

This bleak picture however seems to be seeing light. In today's issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, it was reported that the Libyan Government, through the Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation headed by the son of Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi, manifested its intention to assume the role played by Malaysia as head of the International Monitoring Team.

Though it is still premature to react since we still have to hear an Official Declaration from the Libyan Government, we do welcome this development and gratefully appreciate Libya's interest to help us in Mindanao. We do not doubt Libya's capacity to engage in the peace talks for Libya has played a major role in the Peace Process between the GRP and the Moro National Liberation Front which eventually led to the Final Peace Agreement in 1996.

However Ladies and Gentlemen, this does not answer the very heart of the issue. Malaysia, which has been in the forefront of the International monitoring Team from the very first day of its formation… which has been successful and effective in executing the mandate of the said monitoring team, is leaving.

The big question is WHY?

And unless this question is truthfully addressed and sincerely resolved, kahit pa mag sama-sama lahat ng bansang nais tumulong para sa kapayapaan sa Mindanao, paulit-ulit lamang pong mangyayari ang pagsukong tulad ginawa ng Malaysia ngayon. Ang magiging tanong na lamang ay kung alin ang mauunang maubos, ang mga bansang tutulong, o ang Mamamayang Moro ng Mindanao.

Wassalamu alaikum. Maramang Salamat po.

Hataman favors both Malaysia and Libya on IMT issue

PRESS RELEASE
May 13, 2008

HATAMAN ASKS MALAYSIA TO STAY, BUT WELCOMES LIBYAN SUPPORT

House Resolution No. 578 filed by Anak Mindanao Representative Mujiv S. Hataman yesterday, May 12, 2008 was supported by at least 74 other Representatives including House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles.

Responding to the current issue concerning the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the legislative measure was a Resolution expressing the sense of the House on the pull out of the Malaysian contingent from the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and join the appeal to the Malaysian government to continue its engagement in the said IMT and the peace process.

“We recognize the gains of the IMT under the leadership of the Malaysian contingent especially in monitoring the parties’ (GRP and MILF) adherence to the agreements in the ground thereby providing a conducive atmosphere for negotiations,” Hataman said.

“Most of all, we acknowledge and are grateful for their effective mechanisms in ensuring the implementation of ceasefire agreements and cessation of hostilities,” he further said.

However, in a news report published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer today, May 13, 2008, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front allegedly welcomed the offer of Libya to send more contingent and take the place of Malaysia as head of the IMT.

“We welcome this development and appreciate Libya ’s interest to help us. Libya ’s experience with the Moro issue is beyond reproach since they have been involved with the Moro people’s struggle since the 70’s. However, as reported, the offer has not been made formal so it’s not yet official. Nonetheless, the issue of Malaysia ’s withdrawal must not be simply forgotten. The reasons why they pulled out must be addressed otherwise, all other nations may come in and offer their assistance, but everything will remain futile.”

PRESS STATEMENT on HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 578

Hon. Mujiv S. Hataman of Anak Mindanao Partylist filed a resolution today, May 12, 2008, expressing the Sense of the House on the pull out of the Malaysian Contigent from the International Monitoring Team and joins the Appeal to the Malaysian Government to continue its engagement in the said International Monitoring Team and Support to the Process between the government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Based in Mindanao, the International Monitoring Team (IMT) was formed by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to facilitate and negotiate peace process between the GRP and the MILF, more importantly in monitoring both parties adherence to ceasefire agreements.

Apart from supporting the peace talks, IMT has saved many innocent lives and prevented massive destruction in Mindanao because their effective presence decreased the number of armed conflicts in the Region.

The consequence of IMT’s first pull – out of 21 Malaysians has already been felt, leading to the closing of down of the IMT’s four (4) teams, resulting to the absence of more peace monitors in the provinces of Sulu, Tawi – Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, South Cotabato, Sarangangani and Davao provinces.

Alarmed and threatened for the safety of our brothers and sisters who will be directly affected by the International Monitoring Team pull – out, Hon. Mujiv S. Hataman further expresses his desire for the continued engagement of the Malaysian Contingent in the International Monitoring Team.

Hataman's House Resolution Adopted

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS ADOPTS HATAMAN’S HOUSE RESOLUTION 438

The House Committee on Human Rights adopted last April 29, 2008 House Resolution No. 438 filed by Anak Mindanao Representative Mujiv S. Hataman. The Resolution called for a House Investigation on the alleged massacre in the town of Ipil, Maimbung, Sulu which killed at least eight civilians, including two children aged four (4) and nine (9) and a pregnant woman.

The incident, said to be perpetrated by Elite Forces of the AFP triggered public outrage in the province, with no less than Sulu Governor Abdulsakur Tan leading more than a thousand Tausugs in a public rally in the province and Representative Yusop Jikiri delivering a Privilege Speech in Congress.

A number of civil society organizations also joined in the call for justice. The Citizens Peace Watch, an alliance of different Peace and Human Rights Groups, including AMIN, conducted a Fact Finding Mission, to investigate the said massacre.

With the adoption of Hataman’s Resolution, the House Committee on Human Rights is set to hold a public hearing in the Province of Sulu before the month ends.

“This may be a bit late, since almost three months have passed since the incident. However, we are still grateful to our colleagues in the Committee for supporting the Resolution. Aside from finding out the truth on what really transpired on that tragic day of February 4, 2008, this Resolution also seeks to gather information essential in formulating legislative measures so that incidents like this are prevented,” Hataman said.

Civil Society Peace Organizations Appeal to IMT

Civil Society Peace Organizations Appeal to IMT: Stay and Help Keep the Peace in Mindanao

Media Statement
5 May 2008

dadah peace

The Mindanao Solidarity Network (MSN), the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict-Philippines (GPPAC-Philippines), United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), Generation Peace, and Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Party List express concern over the reported downsizing and eventual pull-out of the International Monitoring Team in Mindanao.

The MSN which is a Manila- based network of peace advocates and organizations supporting the peace process in Mindanao echoes the statements of its Mindanao partners appealing for the IMT to stay and continue to support the ceasefire between the GRP and MILF. The GPPAC as a civil society movement worldwide promoting conflict prevention and the role of civil society in peacebuilding is alarmed of the repercussions of this decision by the Malaysian government. Civil Society peace organizations view the IMT as an effective conflict prevention and early warning mechanism that facilitates and supports the resolution of the centuries old Mindanao conflict.

The presence of IMT is a vital component of the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, for which Malaysia is the main facilitator. IMT's significant role in the overall peace process in Mindanao cannot be denied. Its leading role has effectively maintained a situation conducive to peace negotiations and prevented armed hostilities between the conflicting parties in Mindanao.

Generation Peace, which is a national youth peace network , including UNYPAD, a national Moro youth network for peace and development, has launched an activity of gathering digital photos as a form of petition signing for the IMT to remain in its crucial role.

Together, these peace networks are appealing to the Malaysian government to reconsider its decision, as they urge the Philippine government to ensure definite progress in the peace process and demonstrate to Malaysia, and the rest of the international community and most especially to the Bangsa Moro People its resolve to conclude the peace negotiations and implement a peace agreement with the MILF.