By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reaffirmed its commitment to the Manila Declaration as it underlines the importance of mediation for the peaceful settlement of disputes between states.
In his remarks at the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the UN Group of Friends of Mediation on February 2, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said mediation is an essential tool for the peaceful settlement of “genuine disputes.”
“In all honest disagreements it plays the vital role. The only time it does not is when the dispute arises from one side’s unjust and illegal demand for the other side’s complete submission to its will; followed by the latter’s refusal. Then you have aggression,” he said.
The Manila Declaration was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in November 1982. It was elaborated on the initiative of non-aligned countries including the Philippines, Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Romania, Sierra Leone, and Tunisia.
At the ministerial meeting, the discussion revolved around the challenges and implications of the changing conflict scene to peace mediation, engagement of the international community, inclusivity, as well as the UN’s role, and various tools such as mediation support.
In his remarks, Locsin cited the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao as a good example of successful mediation albeit not covered by the declaration.
“It has brought peace to a strife-torn part of our one and indivisible Republic with great waste and loss of its great potential to be prosperous. And all without sacrificing so much as the tiniest aspect or particle of the Republic’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity; without sacrificing the safety, security, nor any legitimate expectations of those living in Southern Philippines,” he said.
“President Rodrigo Duterte said it best: ‘The creation of the BARMM brings us a step closer to the realization of our decades-old dream of a peaceful region governed by the autonomous government that serves all Muslims, Christians, lumads and other indigenous peoples, and every Filipino who also call Mindanao their home,” he added.
Locsin said the key is “sincerity proved by complete transparency” between the parties as to their intentions and actions.
“And this is achieved only by mediation; never by imposition; unless the unity and therefore the life of the Republic is at stake. Then history takes over again,” he said. (PNA) -ag
