July 21, 2010 - The Mindanao People’s Peace Movement (MPPM) conducted a forum/symposium in Lupon, Davao Oriental last July 18, 2010 entitled “FORUM ON POLITICAL OPTIONS FOR PEACE IN Mindanao, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-tawi”. They discussed the idea of lobbying for the conduct of a referendum on enhanced autonomy, federal system or independence for the Bangsamoro in the said areas.

The MPPM representatives were Gonnie, Abdul Kadir and Habbas Camendan who took the place of Professor Abhoud Syed Linga who was absent due to other  pressing commitments.
The audience was composed of the leaders of different Muslim communities all over Davao Oriental, including ustadzes of various madrasas, youth leaders and other individual.

The Vice-Mayor of Lupon was also present. He raised the question of whether Christians or other non-Moro section of the populace will participate in the referendum. He pointed out that the exercise would be futile should non-Moros be included since they outnumber Moros in general. The MPPM replied that the referendum shall be exclusive to the concerned populace, the Moros in Muslim-dominated areas only. They added that the idea of a referendum is not shared by the MILF nor does not intend to replace the armed struggle of the Moro mujahideens, but it is simply a non-violent option to settle the Moro problem: illegal and immoral annexation of the Bangsamoro homeland. The referendum, they said, shall be done preferably under the auspices of an impartial body like the United Nations (UN).

Half-way through the activity, the MPPM cut short the discussion to accommodate a live cell phone update from the chairman of the MILF peace panel, Mohagher Iqbal, on the status of the peace negotiation. He spoke for 20 minutes, after a short open forum followed.

Other participants urged the MPPM to conduct the same activity in their respective areas, which was responded to positively..

The MPPM, Habbas expressed, does not expect the GRP to approve of the referendum option given the natural tendency of any state not to part away any portion of its territory; that the idea is bound to face tough opposition ahead. In any event, the GRP will remain at fault for  continually imposing its sovereignty over a nation much older than they are.