A glimmer of hope for Mindanao

The breakdown of the peace talks between the government and the MILF was a huge blow for both parties after rounds of progressive negotiations. There was much anticipation that both parties would end up inking a peace accord until the MILF emissaries walked out from the negotiation table. This on and off course of the talks put a cloud of uncertainty and a bleak prospect that any resolution would be reached in the future. But there is still a glare of hope. The proposal to amend the constitution solely for the creation of a federal Bangsamoro region in Mindanao is seen as the key to end the long standing strife in the south. Under the federal system, the concept of power-sharing between the central government and the different provinces or states is observed. Each provinces or states independently manage its own resources without being controlled by the central authority. There is high hope that the Moro rebels would lay down their arms and pursue peace through self-governance under the tutelage of federalism. Through federalism, our Muslim brothers would be given a chance to govern themselves independently which in turn could dissipate the occurrence of conflicts in Mindanao and pave the way for economic growth and lasting peace. – AMANDA SEGODINEZ, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, amandasegodinez@yahoo.com