These conflicts are better understood within the context of the continuing poverty and powerlessness in Mindanao, the second biggest of the country's 7,107 islands. Despite the island's richness and giftedness, Mindanao remains as the country's poorest region. Its rural populace alone, despite their closeness to agricultural resources are among the poorest, mainly because 70% of those who work in agriculture do not own the land that they till. Mindanao remains marginalized economically, politically and culturally.  Decisions concerning the lives of Mindanaoans continue to be made by decision-makers in Manila, the Philippines' seat of economic, political and socio-cultural powers. 

Mindanao has a history of unrest due partly to the diverse character of its population, encompassing indigenous peoples, the Moros – Muslim communities, and Christian settlers.  This diversity has somehow aggravated the conflicts between and among these groups. The indigenous peoples remain the least involved or consulted group of all. Fourteen (14) of the country's 20 poorest provinces are in Mindanao.  All the Moro provinces belong to the 10 poorest. 

The Peace Processes

The sixth, and perhaps the most low-profile peace process is going on between GRP and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa sa Mindanaw (RPM-M) or the Revolutionary Workers’ Party of Mindanao. RPM-M used to be the Mindanao "component" of CPP/NPA/NDF until they decided to break away from the Communist Party.  They eventually became known as the CMR (Central Mindanao Region) Rejectionist Group.  They later joined other “rejectionist” factions from Luzon and Visayas to form the RPM-P with Ike delos Reyes as the Secretary-General.   RPM-P started peace negotiations with the Estrada government but the Mindanao group decided to split from RPM-P.  They eventually formed RPM-M. 

The GRP – RPM-M Peace Process 

For the last three years, away from the media hype on Mindanao and the MILF peace talks, the government has been engaged in peace negotiations with the RPMM. What makes this peace process different from others is that local people are recognized and consulted as stakeholders in the negotiations.

From the beginning, this peace process was unique. For the first time, instead of the government of a foreign country, a local non-government agency was asked to act as the neutral independent secretariat. Balay Mindanaw, a Cagayan de Oro based NGO, has been mediating the peace talks between the government and RPMM for the past three years. Community and people’s involvement is realized through barangay consultations, through which opportunities or spaces are created for people to win—not the big war, not the big revolution, but their own struggle against inequities, poverty and underdevelopment. 

The GRP – RPM-M Peace Process is evolving into an alternative approach to formal peace negotiations. The process that is being pursued in this peace talks does not involve complex political negotiations. Rather, local peace and development agendas that will have an immediate impact on the ground are being formulated by the communities and tribes of Mindanao. As part of this peace process, a series of Barangay (village) and community-based consultations in areas where the RPM-M has presence are being conducted to determine community problems as well as to identify the projects that can be undertaken as a response to these problems.  The projects are expected to be mainstreamed and incorporated in all the levels of local development planning.  Equity issues such as land ownership are also expected to be identified and resolved. 

The formal Peace Process began immediately after the issuance of PMO 108 by the President of the Philippines.  By September 22, 2003, three vital documents were signed by the two panels in just the first round of the Formal Talks.  By the October 2005, the Formal Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities was signed by both Panels. 

One of the agreements signed by the two Panels is entitled “Rules for the Conduct of Local Consultations as Integral Part of the GRP-RPMM Peace Process”.  This formal agreement has institutionalized stakeholders’ participation especially the communities and tribes affected by the conflict, thus effectively giving to these stakeholders a share of the life and momentum of the peace process. 

Finally, the attainment of development and peace has become so real and achievable. 

About three years ago, then Iligan City Mayor Franklin M. Quijano received feelers from the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa sa Mindanao (RPM-M) that they wanted to explore possibilities of entering into a Peace Process with the Philippine Government to finally put a just end to a three-decade old struggle.  Both Mayor Quijano and Ike delos Reyes of RPM-M agreed to approach Kaloy Manlupig of Balay Mindanaw to seek his help.  A series of serious informal meetings followed. 

Serious efforts were then exerted to bring this matter to the attention of the government.  Then National Anti-Poverty Council (NAPC) Convenor, Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles (who eventually became the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process but resigned in July 2005)) responded enthusiastically to the information.  After a series of informal dialogues and consultations, Secretary Deles wrote a Joint Memorandum with then Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita addressed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recommending the creation of a panel to conduct formal peace negotiations with RPM-M. 

Consequently, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, through Presidential Memorandum Order No. 108 dated July 19, 2003, created the Government of the Philippines (GRP) Panel for Negotiations with the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanao (RPMM). The said Government Peace Panel, which is under the supervision of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), is composed of Mayor Franklin M. Quijano as Chairperson with NAPC Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles (subsequently replaced by DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman upon the appointment of Sec. Deles as Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.  Dinkly Soliman also resigned from the Arroyo Government together with Deles), and Philippine Councilors’ League Chairperson Frolian Melendres, as members. 

Through the said Memorandum Order, the GRP Peace Panel has been mandated to undertake negotiations with the RPPM in accordance with the Government’s policy framework for peace and the national agenda on poverty alleviation. Similarly, RPMM has also formed its own counterpart panel.  

One of the agreements signed by the two Panels is entitled “Rules for the Conduct of Local Consultations as Integral Part of the GRP-RPMM Peace Process”.  This formal agreement has institutionalized stakeholders’ participation especially the communities and tribes affected by the conflict, thus effectively giving to these stakeholders a share of the life and momentum of the peace process. 

After the signing of that landmark document, local consultations involving sixty-seven (67) barangays (with 41 barangays within two ancestral domain claims) in eight municipalities in four provinces in three regions of Mindanao have been held. Also, some confidence-building measure projects are already being implemented, and more consultations are scheduled and more development projects are due for implementation. 

More importantly, this Peace Process has survived and surmounted odds and obstacles – the lack of resources, the long lull caused by the electoral/political season, the differences in frameworks and approaches of the parties involved, the moments of doubt when one or both parties were seriously contemplating of ending the process, the moments of impatience, anger and despair, and many other tests of endurance, fortitude and commitment.  The parties involved have emerged stronger, wiser, more committed, more principled, more peaceful. 

Most importantly,  the Peace Process has become a way of striving for those involved: the Panel members, the secretariats, the partners, and most especially the peoples and communities – a striving which has been peaceful and empowering…and rewarding.  

Indeed, this Other Peace Process is proving this Other Paradigm right:  Empowered and sustainable communities are the real foundation of lasting peace.  The process itself (and not the process’ end) will already allow these communities to win small victories, and build peace by themselves.  The final resolution is important but communities need not wait for this.  Building peace is here and now.