The Global Filipino Nation supports the ongoing peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and urges all political parties to unite in forging a common position of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines in achieving a just and enduring peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation  Front.

I proposed this Statement which Fr. Romeo J. Intengan,S.J., GFN Convenor Victor Barrios and others supported and the Conference adopted.

Without a common position of the political leaders and political parties, the Arroyo Government will not be willing and able to get us out of "the constitutional box" regarding sovereignty and extending the scope of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. Actually, international law is recognized in the Constitution as part of the law of the land.And international law allows a more liberal and flexible approach to the peace process. This is my reading of the impasse in the peace process.

Under seige by the opposition and the media, the Administration cannot risk charges of "treason" and possible impeachment of the President. Only a united supra-patisan approach will break the impasse and bring about the long delayed peace settlement. 

To me the great challenge is for our political leaders and parties to transcend narrow partisan advantage and unite with our Moro brothers and sisters for peace and the common good. The cause of Bangsamoro as "a First Nation"  in our Global Filipino Natiion is historic, just, inspiring and admirable. Together, all generations of Filipinos in the homeland and overseas should rise up to the extraordinary challenge and opportunity that Bangsamoro affords us now.

As a United Nations University consultant to Ambassador Emmanuel Pelaez in 1987, in his role as Head of the Government Peace Panel, I recall the negotiations with Nur Misuari's MNLF and Conrado Balweg's Cordillera Peopple's Liberation Army. This gave me my first personal involvement in the peace process. That was 21 years ago.  

Will our political leaders and parties lead us?  Or will they continue to be indeterminate, indecisive, and lack the sense of urgency and historic justice expected of leaders?

Pepe Abueva