A day before the scheduled signing of the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on ancestral domain between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order, as petitioned by at least two local government units, the province of North Cotabato and Zamboanga City.

Anak Mindanao party list Rep. Mujiv S. Hataman, who flew to Kuala Lumpur yesterday, August 4, 2008 to witness the event, expressed regret over the deferment of the MOA signing.

“The Memorandum of Agreement on ancestral domain between the GRP and the MILF could have been a major breakthrough in the Moro People’s struggle for Right to Self-Determination. This crucial issue caused numerous impasse in the peace talks and almost caused its total breakdown. We have been looking forward to this giant step forward, this TRO is a sad news for us.” Hataman said

            Hataman said the opposition by other groups, especially local politicians is understandable as some of their barangays may be incorporated in the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity or the Expanded Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

            However, he said that these local leaders’ apprehensions on the said MOA stem from the alleged non-transparency particularly on the content of the agreement. “They are afraid of what they do not know, that is justified. However, this lack of information and knowledge on the matter may also be argued as reason for them not to react impulsively and excessively, which may cause more harm than their possibly unfounded fears,” Hataman reasoned.

Hataman points out that some of those who are reacting have not even read the Memorandum of Agreement, creating more misinformation and fallacies about the MOA. What is dangerous with these misinformation, Hataman emphasized, is the uncontrollable resurging of more anti-Moro biases among non-Moros and vice-versa.

The Mindanao solon thereby called for a “pause for peace… Before reacting and rallying people against the GRP-MILF MOA, let us practice sobriety and work towards unity. After all, this is merely an Agreement, subject to Constitutional provisions and the approval of Congress. We shall all have our chance of raising our questions and oppositions in the proper forum, then it will be the people, the “masa” who will finally decide. Right now, let us practice patience and prudence, they are very small sacrifices for the sake of lasting Peace.”