Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Peace and political settlement
(Here is an excerpt of the article I have read. It is about understanding the dynamics of peace and politics in Mindanao with the emphasis on recent GRP-MILF Conflict. Visit Ramon Casiple in http://moncasiple.wordpress.com/personal-musings. He is the executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform (IPER).)
These are both political rebellions requiring political solutions. However, the government has been treating them historically as armed situations requiring military solutions, influenced, no doubt, by the US counter-insurgency strategies. The record speaks for itself: the government may defeat a particular group, may neutralize its leadership, or may scatter its followers. However–like a many-headed hydra or a resurrecting phoenix–the rebellions continue.
The democratic approach to these conflicts is logically a political accommodation of rebel groups, their grievances, and their agenda. A democratic system works by having all components of the political body compete for and win the support of the majority of the people in fair and free political processes, including elections. Once there is an exclusion of a particular group, then the seeds of conflict are sown.
A democratic approach to political settlement addresses the essential nature of the rebellion, which is political. However, only a democratic regime can implement it successfully. The Nepal political experiment bears watching.
There exist the internal conflicts in the Philippines–between the Government (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), on the one hand, and between the GRP and the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF), on the other hand. The protagonists against the government are the current embodiment of decades-old Moro and class rebellions in the country.
These are both political rebellions requiring political solutions. However, the government has been treating them historically as armed situations requiring military solutions, influenced, no doubt, by the US counter-insurgency strategies. The record speaks for itself: the government may defeat a particular group, may neutralize its leadership, or may scatter its followers. However–like a many-headed hydra or a resurrecting phoenix–the rebellions continue.
The democratic approach to these conflicts is logically a political accommodation of rebel groups, their grievances, and their agenda. A democratic system works by having all components of the political body compete for and win the support of the majority of the people in fair and free political processes, including elections. Once there is an exclusion of a particular group, then the seeds of conflict are sown.
A democratic approach to political settlement addresses the essential nature of the rebellion, which is political. However, only a democratic regime can implement it successfully. The Nepal political experiment bears watching.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Children Part One: Plebeians Initiative
Alay Kalinaw para sa mga Bata/ December 14, 2007, Fatima, General Santos City
Thank you to Kapayapaan Kapatid Council (with the support of the German Technical Cooperation)
AIM-World Bank Mindanao Bridging Leaders Programmme (MBLP)
CLICK ON PIC FOR LINK: The overall objective of the program is to build a cadre of Bridging Leaders in Mindanao, who can address issues like peace, education, health, land conflicts, poverty, and poor local governance, among others. The MBLP is implemented by AIM Center for Bridging Leadership.
Bamboo Craft
South Cotabato is proud of its bamboo craft. Please call ProTech Center for orders: 083-228-9738 or DTI SC at 083-2282659
B'LAAN INDIGENOUS NITO PRODUCTS
Let's help B'laan Communities in Tampakan earn additional income by buying their products made of nito. Products include plates, baskets, hats, and others. Call directly the Municipal Agriculture Office of Tampakan at (083) 227-2902.
SWEET, SPICY AND CRUNCHY
Mommy Juling's Atsara of BKR Foods continue to increase productivity, hence increasing its job generation and income. On its launching of its expanded processing plant on Oct. 23, BKR reported that it has increase its production from 60 kgs a month in the late 2008 to 600 kgs a month in 2010. Mommy Juling's Atsara is available at Gaisano Mall, KCC Malls, ACE Centerpoint and other convenient store. See its processing plant at Bayan, Polomolok, South Cotabato. Rona Ortiz will be happy to hear and know from you through (+63) 0919-461-0152.
CORN HUSK NOVELTY ITEMS
Help protect environment, help our rural women and out-of-school youth from Surallah. Buy Novelty items for Christmas and any occasions (souvenirs and corporate giveaways) to Pag-Asa Youth Association of Centrala, Allah Valley Crafters Association and Neza's Novelty Items. Text or call (+63) 0917-347-0832.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS! CLEANSE TO A HEALTHY LIFE
Food supplements are never expensive and should never be. What we need now are 100% natural products (no synthetic materials or foreign bodies and no artificial preservatives added). For Jong Bajunaid of Tupi, South Cotabato helping others is very important. Her advocacy of natural healing and remembering old ways of healing and bring that to present scenario is never old. Buy mangosteen tonic, papaya cider, and coco-papaya vinegar from JNB Industries in Tupi, South Cotabato. Mam Jong will be happy to share her knowledge on the wonders of natural healing. She is a Gawad-Saka Awardee (farmer-scientist). You can reach her through (+63) 0916-795-3154.
BDS
