June 5, 2000, The Philippine Star, Signature drive seeks end to Mindanao conflict, by Efren Danao,

June 5, 2000, The Philippine Star, Signature drive seeks end to Mindanao conflict, by Efren Danao, 

The Kalinaw Mindanao, a multisectoral non-partisan movement led by Senate Minority Leader Teofisto Guingona, has embarked on a signature campaign to press for an end to the war in Mindanao. Guingona said that Kalinaw Mindanao hopes to bring together various religious denominations and groups, human rights advocates, legislators, local government officials, non-government organizations and people's organizations to achieve genuine peace and justice in Mindanao. 

The signature campaign has already drawn the support of eight senators, including Guingona, 18 congressmen, 26 church leaders, and six Muslim leaders including Maguindanao Gov. Zacaria Candao. 

The other senators who signed the Kalinaw Unity Statement were Renato Cayetano, Robert Jaworski, Loren Legarda, Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Sergio Osmeña III, Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Raul Roco. The 18 congressmen were led by House Minority Leader Feliciano Belmonte and included nine from Mindanao. 

Aside from seeking a stop to the war in Mindanao, Kalinaw also calls for the immediate resumption of peace talks, the relief and rehabilitation of war victims, and a deeper understanding of the Moro people's and lumad's aspirations for a just and lasting solution to the armed conflict. 

The group lamented that the escalating conflict has fanned religious and ethnic tensions "leading to the reactivation of fanatical vigilante and paramilitary groups that may go out of control." 

Earlier, Guingona and fellow Mindanao senators Robert Barbers and Pimentel urged President Estrada to call a ceasefire in Mindanao. The President, however, rejected this amid strong fears that Muslim rebels might only use the truce to strengthen their position. The military scored major gains by capturing vital camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and by virtually surrounding the MILF's main camp, Camp Abubakar. 

The newly formed Mindanao group, however, doubts whether the military successes could lead to a lasting peace in the island. "The capture of MILF camps and controlled areas cannot guarantee an end to the fighting. Clearly, a more comprehensive solution, not a simplistic military approach is required," the group said in an open appeal for peace and justice in Mindanao. 

It contended that military offensives would not solve Mindanao's problems if poverty, underdevelopment, oppression and exploitation persist. "Unless the root causes of the armed conflict are addressed, there can be no peace, and any claim of victory shall be hollow, fleeting and, at worst, a goading for more war," Guingona stressed.