Government cancels MOA with MILF

It is good that the government of the Republic of the Philippines decided not to push through with its MOA with the MILF. It was a blessing in disguise that the Supreme Court of the Philippines issued a timely Temporary Restraining Order to stop the signing of the MOA in Malaysia. Perhaps, the government has recognized the impact of the aborted MOA if the signing push through. Aside from the fact that so many sectors in the affected areas were not consulted about this MOA, some of the MOA provisions were not in consonance with the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. This is a sad fact that the government negotiators overlooked this important aspect of the MOA. The question is Why? 

Because of this seeming ignorance of government negotiators, the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines was put at stake. In fact, it was observed that the government negotiators exceeded the powers given to them. Their power was primarily to negotiate and not to enter into an agreement though the MOA. Seemingly, a big mistake was done a long the way. Because of this big blunder, the government negotiators have no other option but to resign.

The aborted signing MOA likewise shows the sincerity of the MILF in the peace process in Mindanao. The MILF should have respected the TRO issued by the Supreme Court. This is part of the process in a civilized world. But what some of the MILF members did? They resorted to killings of innocent civilians, burning of houses, looting and other barbaric and criminal acts. Granting that the MOA signing materialize, perhaps, the MILF members would have done more than what they did when the MOA was not sign. The timely intervention of the Supreme Court has made the government rethinks its position in the MOA.

What now? The government should not stop to find solutions to the peace problem in Mindanao. But in its effort to seek lasting peace in Mindanao, it should not compromise the sovereignty  of the entire country.