The so called “Moro problem” continue to persist, and perceived to be worsening, despite the new government multi-sectoral consultation approach under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Aroyo.

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines have made a series of negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in order to cease the Moro problem in Mindanao. The MILF has the goal of independence but may accept political settlement leading to establish an Islamic government. The government on the other hand is enthusiastic to strengthen the sense of Filipino nationalism within the constitutional framework.

At the start of the negotiation, it is obvious that the MILF has led the GRP toward its vision. The fact, their 2001 Tripoli accord provides that ‘negotiation and peaceful resolution of the conflict must involve consultations with the Bangsamoro free of any imposition in order to provide chances of success and open new formula that permanently respond to the aspiration of the people for freedom.” The negotiated political process which should be the establishment of Bangsamoro Juridical Entity may be tough to the government to implement because the prospective result might contravene the territorial integrity of the State.

Moro struggle is a continuing cycle. Its different forms, modes and strategies have pressured the Philippine government to make “laws and policies” governing “projects and programs” for the Bangsamoro. But, such projects and programs failed to address the “Moro problem.”

Question has been raised why this problem continue to persist? This question invites diverse opinion among observers. It may be known to those who are really conscious and have sufficient knowledge on Moro history. This I think distinct from Muslim problem. It is unique. It refers to the inclusion of the Bangsamoro into the Philippine Republic, hence, without this there can be no Moro struggle against the government for genuine self-determination, a separate Bangsamoro state. Muslim problem, on the other hand, is broader enough. It refers to socio-economic, political and educational problems of the Muslims.

The Philippine Constitution provides the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which was conceptualized and legislated in order to address the Moro problem. This autonomy, however, failed to realize the “people’s expectation.”

The first Government enhanced autonomy offer was proposed by Estrada in 2000 which the MILF utterly rejected; the second in February 2003, which the MILF did not care to look at; and the third suddenly rejected without looking at the so-called package. This government offer is an act of abandoning the consensus points on ancestral domain aspect of the Tripoli Agreement of 2001.

Obviously, the government has shifted to constitutional process in order to offer political settlement in accordance with the Constitution.. Jesus Dureza, the then Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, told members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines that the objective of the move was to allow the creation of a Federal Bangsamoro Governance.

Constitutional experts, some of whom helped frame the 1987 Constitution was working on “fast mode” to allow for a “federal framework” that would “clear the way” for the government to “really respond to the Bangsamoro aspirations,” Dureza said. This is not among the consensus points reached by the government and MILF peace panels. The details of the Federal framework will be left to the Congress to legislate.”

Secretary Norberto Gonzales, National Security Adviser told reporters that the proposed federal state, which he acknowledged was not part of the consensus points reached by the government and the MILF, is “actually at the informal level, being mentioned (by the MILF) because when you look at the package of the MILF, they’re really looking at something like…statehood and that is not possible.. in the terms of our Constitution today. But the idea of federalism, the Bangsamoro states will be possible but of course that will call for a Constitutional amendment…” This is necessary since government cannot execute any agreement against its constitution. This scenario is manifested by the declaration of the Supreme Court the unconstitutionality of the Memorandum of Agreement between the two parties.

If government continue its initiative to amend its constitution in order to implement what was agreed upon, I think political settlement can positively move forward. to accommodate the “desired ends” of the Bangsamoro.

The Beshops, Ulama and other religious personalities are now being topped to conduct the multi-sectoral consultation approach of the government. They are urged to remain neutral. Khled Musa, Deputy chairman of the MILF committee on information, said: “We trust your integrity, knowledge, and moral ascendancy in guiding men and women for their better spiritual life on earth. But please preserve this clout, credibility and trust of the peoples in you.”

Musa clarified that the MILF wanted all sectors of society including the religious to involve themselves in real peace-making but they should stay not partisan to one party. They should support the peace process and should strengthen what the parties to the conflict have already agreed.

Musa said: “ it is futile for these religious personalities to involve themselves in the present peace policy approach of government”, saying these “dialogues and consultations” are mere tools to delay the real peace process and the government will not follow the findings and recommendations there from, because it has already that predetermined results in mind.

Musa numerated the following factors that will compromise the integrity of these religious personalities even if they have the sincere intention to help resolve the conflict in Mindanao:

Musa questioned the government’s decision in using religious personalities in conflict resolution, saying the armed conflict in Mindanao is not about clash of religions but clearly the offshoots of “greed, hatred and mistrust” for Moros in this region.

Therefore, Moro problem is defined as the inclusion of the Bangsamoro homeland into the Philippine Republic. Since it is a political issue, it continue to persist. Political settlement by granting separate Banghsamoro nation-state is the ultimate solution. This is in line with the perceived hypothesis that “the more you educate the Moros the more they know that they are not part of the Philippine Republic.”