National Perspective on Peace Process and National Security

A Presentation by

Secretary Teresita Quintos-DelesPresidential Adviser on the Peace Process

Two-Part Presentation•Winning the Peace• Ensuring National Security

Presentation Outline• Policy Framework and

Substantive Directions• Updates• Issues and Challenges

The administration will have to pick up the pieces and resume the quest for peace with

vigor and clarity of purpose. Our quest must not only focus on ensuring the

stability of the state and the security of our nation. Our ultimate goal must be the safety and well being of our people.

We must revive the peace process on the basis of a comprehensive understanding of the root causes of the conflict, under clear policies that pave and clear the way ahead, and driven by a genuine desire to attain a

just and lasting peace.

We shall endeavour to restore confidence in a peace process that is transparent and participatory, and renew our faith in our shared vision of a peaceful, secure and

prosperous future under one sovereign flag.

- President Benigno S. Aquino III

WINNING THE PEACEPromotion of the peace process shall be the centerpiece of the internal security program as a testament to a government’s commitment to a policy of peace, reconciliation, and reunification. Peace is not just the absence of war or conflict, but it is the sum total of the conditions that ensure human and social well-being in all dimensions. This entails the winning of hearts and minds of the aggrieved and the afflicted while retaining the allegiance of the rest.

GOALSWhile the government’s aim is to win the peace, the goal for the medium term is to bring all armed conflict to a permanent and peaceful closure.

OBJECTIVES• Negotiated political settlement of

armed conflicts; and• Causes of armed conflict and other

issues that affect the peace process effectively addressed

SPECIFIC STRATEGIES• Track 1: Negotiated political

settlement of all armed conflicts• Track 2: Complementary tracks

Track 1: Negotiated political settlement of all armed conflicts

• Resume and complete negotiations with MILF and CPP/NPA/NDF

• Complete implementation of signed final peace agreements with the MNLF and CPLA

• Closure of the peace tracks with RPMP/RPA/ABB

Track 1: Negotiated political settlement of all armed conflicts

• Final DDR of the abovementioned armed groups through effective and appropriate intervention programs

• Establishment of mechanisms towards a participatory and accountable peace process

Track 2: Complementary Track• Focused development in conflict-affected areas

through PAMANA• Settlement of long standing disputes over land

and resources• IP Agenda• Affirmative action agenda for Muslims• Enhancement of ARMM governance• Implementation of UNSC 1325 compliance

Track 2: Complementary Track• Children in situations of armed conflict• End impunity and extra-judicial killings• Security sector reform

Updates: Track OneNegotiations with MILF • 20th formal exploratory meeting of the parties

resumed 13 January 2011, since the impasse in 2008

• Panel: Dean Marvic Leonen (Chair), Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, former Secretary Senen Bacani, Vice Mayor Ramon Piang

Updates: Track One

Negotiations wiith CPP/NPA/NDF• Formal negotiations resumed in Oslo from 15 to

21 February 2011, since the impasse in 2006• Panel: Alex Padilla (Chair), Ednar Dayanghirang,

Jurgette Honculada, Pablito Sanidad, Ma. Lourdes Tison

Updates: Track One

Completion of signed implementation with MNLF• 4th Session of the Tripartite Meeting in Jeddah,

Saudi Arabia, on 22-23 February 2011 leading to the agreement to move BDAF forward and to initiate the agreed mechanisms and processes for resolving three remaining issues with no common ground

Updates: Track One

Completion of signed implementation with CPLA and RPMP-RPA-ABB• Reached agreements on principles with details

on final closure plan which includes development intervention and the disposition of arms and forces

Updates: Track Two• PAMANA: 2011 road mapping covering 7 conflict areas and

institutional arrangements being finalized; launching on the ground by March-April

• IP Agenda: full IPRA implementation, starting with reconstitution of leadership/reorganization to be completed by March

• Affirmative action agenda for Muslims: resolution of NCMF leadership issue, initial focus on Hajj management reform

• Enhancement of ARMM governance: prosecution of Ampatuan massacre case; DILG measures which include: (a) team up with COA for special audit of ARMM, (b) enforcement of LGU’s full disclosure of budget and finances through website postings/print media, media, (c) enforcement of disciplinary actions on absentee local officials; postponement of elections

Updates: Track Two• Implementation of UNSC 1325 compliance: strategic

implementation of the National Action Plan (joined with Magna Carta on Women)

• Children in situations of armed conflict: setting up of desk in AFP HR office; preparation for the visit of SRSG toward removal of Philippines from the black list

• End impunity and extra-judicial killings: adoption/implementation of HR-based AFP intelligence handbook; DOJ case file on EJE

Some Issues and Challenges

• Timeframe: to reach agreements by midterm so that the remaining term can be devoted for implementation; to not turnover unfinished businesses to the next administration

• Accelerating processes while avoiding short-cuts: reach common understanding in less ambiguous terms; finally ask the hard questions; insulating substantive agenda

• Balancing transparency and confidentiality

Some Issues and Challenges

• Splinters and internal contestation• Mechanisms for “sufficient consensus”: How

participatory is participatory? What is the operational meaning of ‘consensus’?

• DDR: lawless elements and loose weapons• Accelerating post-conflict development• Citizens-based mechanisms for monitoring /

constant accompaniment of unfolding processes

ENSURING NATIONAL SECURITYP.Noy clearly defined national security as not only focused on ensuring stability of the state and the security of our nation but more importantly on the ultimate goal of ensuring the safety and well-being of our people.

Policy Framework & Substantial DirectionsApart from the peace process, the government shall create

and sustain an enabling environment conducive to development. This will be done involving whole government, institutions, and the entire citizenry to address national integrity, public order and safety, and governance reforms. It is hoped that these mutually-enforcing strategies shall secure internal and external peace that will contribute to development efforts of the government and ensure that Filipinos will be able to take part in the process of economic growth and development.

Four Pillars of National Security Policy

• Good governance • Delivery of basic services• Economic reconstruction and sustainable

development of Mindanao• Security sector reform

GOAL• The government shall ensure that the Filipino

national community’s welfare, way of life, institutions, territorial integrity and sovereignty are protected.

OBJECTIVES• Internal stability promoted and sustained.• Full sovereignty and territorial integrity of the

state protected.• Security sector reform carried out.

Strategies to Achieve Internal Stability

• Reduce capabilities of armed groups not within negotiated political settlement processes

• Continued and intensified police operations to address criminality

Strategies to Protect National Sovereignty

• Sustain and cultivate international relations and external security

• Enhance capability to respond to either manmade or natural non-traditional security concerns

Strategies to Carry Out Security Sector Reform

• Pursue reforms in the security sector througho Strengthening civilian control and oversight of the

security sectoro Professionalizing security forceso Strengthening internal security systemso Strengthening the rule of law throughout the country

Strategies to Carry Out Security Sector Reform

• Professionalization of security forces through adherence on the principle of Democratic Control of the AFP and the PNP

UPDATESAppointments by P.Noy underscore a commitment to SSR and Human Rights• Cabinet security cluster now chaired by DILG• DOJ Secretary formerly the Chair of CHR • The current Chair of CHR is Etta Rosales• Panel Chairs are both HR lawyers

UPDATES• AFP has a peace office designated to constantly

communicate and coordinate with OPAPP• AFP includes desk to focus on issues on children

in armed conflicts• Government panels go on the ground to

dialogue with our troops, and vice versa

SOME ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

• Investigation into corruption (pabaon system) involving the highest officials of the AFP

• Disentangling law enforcement and peace process; family ties and law enforcement

• Reality of terrorism• Civilian/democratic oversight• Impact of peacekeeping capacity in AFP• Winning the hearts of ordinary soldiers

CONCLUSIONThe prospect for peace has never been this good. It is better than it has ever been. There is hope because of the political climate and the and new political leadership. But peace process still littered with land mines.Let’s not waste the moment.All hands on deck!