Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manila (Agenzia Fides) – Issues such as impunity and peace will present a challenge to the government of Benigno Aquino, just over three months after his election. This is what Fides learned from Fr. Sebastiano D'Ambra, PIME missionary for 30 years on the Mindanao Island and strongly committed on a social and cultural level to Islamic-Christian dialogue and peace building.
"The climate of violence and impunity, the story of Ampatuan (the massacre of November 23, 2009 in Maguindanao), the clan power system are all emergencies in which the government will have to respond. We'll see if he is successful in undermining this power, but it will be very difficult. Of course, given the major problems facing the country – also considering the corruption and poverty - the government cannot work miracles. Aquino is still a leader who has a family heritage of great influence, which we hope will bear fruit in government action."
According to a new report by the Pacific Strategies and Assessments, a think tank based in Manila, the Philippines, after the years of the Arroyo government in which the situation of human rights and impunity significantly deteriorated, only 1% of those responsible for murder and extrajudicial execution faced accusations. The report notes: "Until now, President Aquino has not issued official statements to end the Oplan Bantay Laya ("Safeguard of Freedom"), an operation that remains the heart of the system of extrajudicial executions and other human rights abuses in the country."
On the issue of peace in the South of the archipelago, the situation is now more complicated. Fr. D'Ambra tells Fides: "The Muslim movements are varied and are divided among themselves. In addition to the traditional ethnic and cultural divisions, there are those resulting from those in power, who pursue their own interests. This framework is not conducive to the prospects for peace and was also among the causes of the failure of the Memorandum of Agreement in 2008. That agreement also does not take into account the reality of the indigenous peoples and Christians in the territories to be annexed to the autonomous Muslim region."
According to the missionary, other factors must be considered: "The function of the army, present in the South, raises suspicions and accusations of corruption and this does not help. However, there are new hopes, as the new government intends to negotiate on a new basis. Also, Teresita Deles, the person appointed by Aquino to conduct the negotiations, is a serious person and is sincerely committed to peace." (PA) (9/10/2010)
