TJRC explains root of conflicts in report

REPORTAGE --- The Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission launched its report last February 22 in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao which explains the roots of conflict, among others. TJRC Chair Ms. Mo Bleeker (4th from left) formally handed over the commission's consolidated reports to GPH Peace Implementing Panel chair Ms. Irene Santiago (4^th from right). The event was attended by MILF Peace Implementing Peace Panel MohagherIqbal and representatives from different foreign countries. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY---Roots of Conflicts, which are integral in the launching of the report of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC),   will form part of the inputs for the Government of the Philippines peace negotiating panel in the dynamics of the  peace process with rebel groups.

The TJRC launched its report last February 22 at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

The commission was created in 2014 by both the GPH and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiating panels as normalization annex to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

It is mandated to undertake a study and make recommendations to address: legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people; human rights violations andcorrect historical injustices; and marginalization through land dispossession.

Mo Bleeker, TJRC chair, said they handed over the complete report to the peace panel with conclusive findings on causes of various anguishes, which also highlighted land-ownership dispute through open dialogues with the Indigenous People, Muslims, and Christians.

“The case study was the result of listening to at least 3,000 residents and local officials in 211 poor communities of the autonomous region,” she said.

Further, the TJRC report alsomentioned legitimate grievances  of the populace, some human rights violations, correcting historical injustices, and marginalization through land dispossessionthat often lead to violence and armed conflict.

Bleeker stressed that they based these findings from the listening sessions and verified by study groups.

“We arranged specific topics through conduct of interviews with key policymakers and experts, comparing them with past assessment study,” she said.

In addition, Bleeker said the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) believes that by addressing the legacy of violence in a constructive manner by dealing with the past, it could offer a unique opportunity for the Philippines to be  a State that which maintains equal opportunity for everybody.

“May we appeal to both peace panel negotiators of their commitment to ensure that the TJRC official recommendations are realized,” she said.

Irene Santiago of the GPH and MohagherIqbal of the MILF,approvedthe review of the TJRC’s final report with assurance of their imprimatur.

The two said the Bleeker-led findings reflect centuries-old sentiments of the Moros in Mindanao portrayed negatively and stripped of their dignity and sense of identity.

“The rights of the Moro people have been abused and violated,” said Iqbal.

Bleeker emphasized that the case of land dispossession is a reality.

“The land dispossession issuehas resulted in the social and political and economic marginalization of the Moros and indigenous people,” she said.(GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)