In a press statement, Konsult Mindanaw said that during a review of the initial results of a “Community Dialogue and Consultation on Peace” last week, its researchers “noted a significant number of respondents saying that corruption posed a serious threat to the attainment of lasting peace in Mindanao.”

Konsult Mindanaw was created early this year as a research arm of the Bishops-Ulama Conference. It has so far completed more than 300 focus group discussions involving nearly 5,000 respondents across the island.

One of the initial findings of the focus group discussions says “Respondents across regions say that corruption among government leaders is the source of the (Mindanao) problem.”

“Respondents said that money lost to corruption could have been spent for basic education, primary health care, and alternative livelihood initiatives in grassroots communities,” Konsult Mindanaw said.

North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Pinol, who proposed that the peace talks between government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MIILF) be localized, claiming the situation in North Cotabato is different from the situation in Maguindanao, has repeatedly been saying that peace can not be achieved unless something is done about corruption in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

In February, Pinol, a guest of the ANC's Forum on “Mindanao: The Way Forward,” said corruption in the ARMM is a “big, big problem”  in the region that will render any peace agreement useless.
“What will entice us to join ARMM?” Pinol asked.

Last year, figures released by the National Statistical Coordination Board placed Mindanao’s poverty incidence at 38.8%, which was higher than that of Luzon (20%) and the Visayas (33%).

Konsult Mindanaw sought answers to four questions asked in the focus group discussions: “What is your vision of peace? What are your recommendations on the peace talks between the GRP and the MILF? What can you recommend on the broader peace process? What can you personally contribute – or even sacrifice – for peace in Mindanao?”

Konsult Mindanaw project coordinator Albert Alejo, SJ says the research team “is duly noting the specific observations of the respondents. And we shall try to do justice to these insights by completing an impartial and comprehensive report before the end of the year.”

The final results of the consultation are expected to be shared to the peace panels of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and with the public. (MindaNews)

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