MIPCPD-MNLF Joint Declaration on Mutual Respect, Cooperation, Recognition and Understanding
Held at the 2nd day of the 4-day 5th Mindanao IP Convention at CAP Auditorium, Anda St, Davao City last 17 January 2012. It was attended by 450 IPs and 150 Moro delegates. The IPs come from the five (5) Regions of Mindanao to include ARMM while the MNLF delegates were composed of their Political, Military and Economic Panel led by its founder PROFESSOR NUR MISUARI. The IPs were represented by the MIPCPD Chairman ATTY. REUBEN DASAY LINGATING and the expanded Execom of MIPCPD.
FORGING BROTHERHOOD, ATTAINING PEACE:
The Centuries-Old Peace Pact of Muslims and Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao and Its Significance in the Current Times
Salaam! Kalinaw! Peace! Advocates have long searched for that elusive word; only to find it deeply rooted in the hearts of Mindanaoans since the days of their forefathers a long time ago. The origins of peace pact, also known to various tribes as ‘pogoloton’, ‘pakang’, ‘tampuda’, ‘dyandi’, ‘sandugo’, ‘sapa’, ‘kesbila’ or by any term it’s known for that matter, can be traced back to the two brothers Apo Mamalu and Apo Tabonaway. Apo Mamalu, the elder, steadfastly practiced their traditional beliefs while Apo Tabonaway, the younger, embraced the Islamic faith and became the ancestor of the Moro tribes. They chose different paths; but the two remained true to each other and had a pact of mutual respect and cooperation centuries ago. For this reason, the lives of indigenous peoples (IP) and Moro tribes are perpetually intertwined and are drawn towards each other whether they like it or not. In the present generation, IP and Moro brethren look back on the legacy of their ancestors and choose to move forward in the spirit of unity.
January 17, 2012 marked a milestone event in Mindanao when hundreds of indigenous peoples and Moro people jam-packed CAP Auditorium in Anda Street, Davao City to witness the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Conference for Peace and Development (MIPCPD) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) forge a “Joint Declaration on Mutual Respect, Recognition, Cooperation and Understanding”. Represented by its Chairman Atty. Reuben Dasay Lingating, MIPCPD showed up with a force of 500 Council of Elders and Leaders from all over Mindanao. Meanwhile, MNLF was led by its Founder and Chairman Professor Nur Misuari, who came with members of the MNLF Central Committee, State Chairmen, Area Commanders and members of Parliament. The two delegations openly declared its adherence to the centuries-old peace pact of their forefathers and formally signed a Covenant to revive it. Symbolic peace mementos were exchanged between the two parties to cap the historic event and to serve as reminders of the agreement that the present and future generations of IPs and Muslim brothers will observe. The MIPCPD gave MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari an “agong” symbolizing the call for unity; while the MNLF gave MIPCPD Chairman Atty. Reuben Dasay Lingating a “kris” symbolizing common defense of Mindanao. Moreover, the MIPCPD Council of Elders conferred upon Professor Misuari the honorary title “Datu Salimbang” which means ‘partner’ in the Manobo dialect.
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MIPCPD-MNLF Joint Declaration (2012)
The “Joint Declaration on Mutual Respect, Recognition, Cooperation and Understanding” is not just any agreement. It is a thorough concept of peace and unity where Mutual Respect is defined as the acknowledgment of a shared historical roots (that of Mamalu and Tabonaway), same geographic birth rights separated only by religion, sensitivity to cultural differences and religious tolerance, and the mutual acceptance of the tri-people character of Mindanao (Lumad, Moro and Christians); where Recognition applies to both parties’ struggle for self-determination, demarcation of traditional boundaries of their respective communities, and recognition of a common interest which is peace and development in Mindanao; where Cooperation refers to the continuous dialogues in local and Mindanao-wide levels, the collaboration between IP Leaders and MNLF Representatives as brothers helping one another, the discussions on political participation and cooperation, the fusion in advancement and protection of Indigenous Peoples and Moro Peoples Rights, the alliance in the defense of Muslim and IP communities, the cooperation on poverty alleviation, development and investments in their respective communities, the setting up of liaison for conflict resolution, and the establishment of economic networking abroad; and where Understanding prescribes advocacy and pursuance of conflict resolution among communities and individuals, and the observance of peace pacts locally initiated between IP communities and adjacent Muslim communities.
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Updated by: Alvin Sison – March 15, 2023