Peace situation in PH improving according to national and international studies

Manila, June 20 – First was the 2012 Global Peace Index by the Institute for Economics and Peace that ranked the Philippines among the top five nations that registered "improvements in peacefulness." The Pulse Asia's Ulat ng Bayan survey results came next that showed high approval ratings on the Aquino Administration's efforts in "increasing peace in the country." "Similar to other governance reforms being implemented under this administration, President Aquino's continuing efforts on peace and security are already being felt and recognized not just by our people, but also by the international community." said Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles, who welcomed the results of both studies. "These will further raise the public’s hopes for a just and lasting peace" she added. The 2012 Global Peace Index report stated that the Philippines’ high score was a result of improvements in the indicators which are homicide rate; number of deaths from internal conflict; likelihood of violent demonstrations; and incidence of terrorist acts. Moreover, it said that the country previously rated at moderate or high levels in the four indicators. Among the incidents which affected the ratings in the past years include the conflict between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in mid-2007; the Maguindanao massacre in 2008; and violence perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu in 2011. The other countries in the Top Five ranking are Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Bhutan and Guyana. Enhanced public perception On the other hand, Pulse Asia’s Ulat ng Bayan National Survey conducted on May 20 to 26, 2012 pointed out that 50 percent of respondents approve of the P-Noy administration’s efforts on “increasing peace in the country.” Efforts to fight corruption in the government garnered the highest approval score of 58 percent, while fighting criminality and enforcing the law equally on all citizens got 56 percent and 52 percent, respectively. Gov’t efforts paying off “These positive developments show that the government’s efforts have been paying off,” Deles said. “We will continue to be patient and persistent in our work in the peace process. We also hope that more and more of our people will come to accompany us in these processes." The government through OPAPP has been pursuing a negotiated political settlement with the MILF and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP). Also, it has been eyeing the closure of signed peace agreements with armed groups, such as the Moro National Liberation Front, Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army, and Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade. Negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF are now on its final stages with both sides exploring their positions on wealth-sharing, power-sharing, governance and transition roadmap, among others. The parties have likewise identified and signed the 10 Decision Points on Principles which serve as the framework for the final peace agreement. At present, the GPH panel has been engaging various sectors to gain their insights on the government’s position. Peace talks between the GPH and the CPP-NPA-NDFP, on the other hand, are hoped to restart soon as the two parties agreed to meet informally on June 13-14 in Oslo, Norway to tackle issues and concerns that caused the delay in the negotiations since February 2011. The panels are scheduled to meet again informally to continue "meaningful discussions" toward the resumption of formal talks. To complement the peace negotiations, the government has likewise been implementing development programs through PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) program. PAMANA is the government’s program and framework for peace and development in areas affected by conflict and communities covered by peace pacts. #

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