P-Noy names UP Law Dean head peace negotiator with MILF
President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed University of the Philippines College of Law Dean Marvic M.V.F. Leonen as chair of the new negotiating panel that will resume the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda announced Leonen’s appointment today during a Malacañang press briefing, also attended by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita “Ging” Deles and newly named chief negotiator Leonen.
In a statement read by Lacierda, President Aquino said he is committed to a comprehensive, just and peaceful solution to the situation in Mindanao. “Therefore this early into my term, we have identified persons who will start to compose the peace panel who will resume talks with the MILF.” he said.
“I have taken a constitutional oath to ‘do justice for all’. I intend to do just that. I am aware of our history, our different cultures and the many just aspirations of our peoples. Therefore, I have asked the current Dean of the UP College of Law, Dean Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, who understands what this may mean, to facilitate the discussions with the MILF and to chair the government’s negotiating panel. The other members of panel will be announced soon,” the President said.
Leonen graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines with a degree in A.B. Economics. He later earned a Bachelor of Law degree from the same university. He holds a Masters degree from the Columbia University school of law in New York. He is currently the vice chair of the Constitutional Law Department of the Philippine Judicial Academy.
In his past initiatives to promote peace, Leonen took part in convening a peace consortium of universities, many of which were from Mindanao.
During the press briefing, Leonen assured he is committed to finding a balance between the necessities of the negotiations as well as informing the public on the state of the negotiations. He added that the peace panel will strictly adhere to the constitution.
“The government of the Philippines has a constitution. That constitution is not too restrictive to allow peace to come in, but it has its own basic concepts, and one of it is that sovereignty resides on the people. During our watch, we will be faithful with the constitution,” Leonen said.
According to Secretary Deles, Leonen and his team have been given instructions from the President to review all past agreements, records and documents to find a way forward given the limitations that both parties need to deal with.
Deles said that they will conduct a study of the results of the consultations and dialogues which have been carried out by different groups to determine the best approach towards the challenges and constraints facing the concerned parties.
“I am already in discussion with some of the convenors of this consultation as to how we can bring this together, to show where there is already common ground and identify the areas of contention,” she said.
Deles said the President has already approved the establishment of an advisory body to the different peace panels, which will be drawn from the representatives of the legislature, members of the 1987 Constitutional Commission, retired Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, representatives of local governments, and former chairs of the government negotiating panel.
She said that the peace panel will be calling on the advisory body on how the negotiations are progressing.
According to Deles, they would also convene an assembly of civil society peace advocates to determine structures and mechanisms to ensure continuing consultation and engagement involving the full range of concerned sectors, communities and peace constituencies.
Statement of President Benigno S. Aquino III on the appointment of Marvic Leonen as Head of the Peace Panel with the MILF
“I am committed to a comprehensive, just and peaceful solution to the situation in Mindanao. Therefore this early into my term, we have identified persons who will start to compose the peace panel who will resume talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. I have instructed the panel to review the past agreements and recommended how we can move forward cognizant of the limitations that both parties have to deal with. I view the negotiations as a dialogue to ensure that we can fully apprehend the problem and provide lasting solutions. I have asked the panel to report to me and Secretary Dele directly.
We will learn from the mistakes of the past by ensuring that consultations be done at the soonest at the soonest and most appropriate time with all the constituencies of the government of the Republic of the Philippines. The includes not only the peoples in Mindanao but also.
The local governments involved, the legislative and those who keep watch over the pronouncements of our Supreme Court.
I have taken a constitutional oath to “do justice for all.” I intend to do just that. I am aware of our history, our different cultures and the many just aspirations of our peoples. Therefore, I have asked the current Dean of the UP College of Law, Dean Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, who understands what this may mean, to facilitate the discussions with the MILF and to chair the government’s negotiating panel. The other members of panel will be announced soon.
I expect the talks to resume soon. We will do our part about peace and justice. We hope that all of our people will respond with the same good intentions.”
P-Noy visits slain soldiers in Isabela; orders review of AFP frontline rules to avoid casualties
ILAGAN, Isabela – President Benigno S. Aquino III today directed the Department of National Defense (DND) to conduct an intensive review of the military’s systems and procedures with a view to preventing unnecessary loss of lives during combat.
The President issued the order to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who was with the Chief Executive during a morning visit to the wakes of three soldiers who were among seven government troopers killed in an ambush last Friday in Sitio Sugit, Brgy. Samoki, Bontoc, Mountain Province.
The seven casualties, among them an Army lieutenant, were elements of the Army’s 52nd Infantry Division reconnaissance team based at Saddle in Barangay Talubin, Bontoc. They were on their way to a weekend medical mission in a nearby town when waylaid by the rebels.
The President visited the wakes of Pfc. Anthony Bunagan, 26, of Brgy. Cataggamman; Sgt. Melchor Castro, 33, of Brgy. Aggassian; and Pfc. Camilo Topino, 30, of Brgy. Manaring, all in Ilagan, Isabela.
The other fatalities were identified as 1Lt. Lito H. Punio, 28, from Mindanao; Cpl. Cornelio Balmez, 34 of Pangasinan; and Pfc. Windez Gazingan, 30 and Pfc. James Tio-an, 25, both of Kalinga, Apayao.
The ambush was the latest attack by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Bontoc, which is within the area of responsibility of the military's North Luzon Command.
“Naibigay ko na sa kanya (Gazmin) yung mga instructions sa umpisa pa lang. May mga board of inquiries that were constituted to review all processes to prevent these incidents,” the President told reporters after visiting Castro’s wake.
“Kailangan nating i-review yung mga systems and procedures in place that pose unnecessary risk on the lives (of our soldiers),” the President added.
“Since we have a problem of insurgency in the country, what we can do is to improve our systems that will ensure that the families of those who are slain during their duty are given the necessary benefits accorded to them,” he said.
The families of the slain troopers received package benefits from the government, including P250,000 in cash, and P180,000 in housing assistance.
The President said other benefits are forthcoming, such as scholarships for at least one child, advance payment of additional salary given in lump sum and a “longevity and other components” benefit.
“Ang pagkaka-intindi ko nai-deliver na lahat ito for each of the seven soldiers who were killed in action,” the President said.
