We are members of civil society, government, academe and other stakeholders in peace from Mindanao, Luzon and Visayas and the National Capital Region (NCR) with individuals working for global peace affiliates, who are seriously concerned with the possible withdrawal of international monitors led by Malaysia in the Southern Philippines. This has grave repercussions and dangerous implications to the peace process and to the lives of thousands of residents in communities who are still reeling from the impact of decades of sporadic violence while undergoing rehabilitation efforts.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the Malaysian government for the vital contribution in peacekeeping in the Southern Philippines through facilitation of the peace talks and being the largest contingent in the International Monitoring Team (IMT). Since the GRP- MILF peace talks started in 1997 and Malaysia led the IMT in early 2000, the number of armed incidents between the government (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has dramatically decreased from an estimated 700 incidents to less than 20.

Violence that affects communities have been minimised. The monitors have instituted confidence -building measures such as cease-fire mechanisms and joint military actions between the GRP and MILF, opened lines of communication between the GRP and MILF and helped bridged differences by backroom channeling.

The IMT has acknowledged and involved local communities in peacekeeping thus empowering these local stakeholders to sustain a peace environment. The harmonious working relations among the IMT, the military and local Bantay Ceasefire groups has had tremendous impact in stabilising security in the Southern region.

We acknowledge the significant and even leadership role of Malaysia in promoting peace, democratisation and stability in the region. As lead convenor of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Caucus for Good Governance, Malaysia plays a key role in steering the region towards fulfilling human development goals.

As your Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has said: ‘There should be a universal acceptance that community interests would prevail over national interests on issues affecting the community and that Asean has to do better in giving national effect to wider international treaties and conventions, including Asean treaties and agreements by putting in place capacities for enforcing community decisions’.

Malaysia 's commitment to the Southern peace process in the Philippines, drawing attention to one of the longest conflicts in the region, is a great act of statesmanship and must be lauded.

It is thus imperative that foreign monitors stay to keep the peace. They ensure that any gains in the peace process can be complied with and even sustained with support from the donor community.

At a time of national crisis in dealing with the rice shortage, our communities are in urgent need of external support from our Malaysian brothers and sisters to maintain an atmosphere of security in the South. Civil society groups in the South are one with you in the quest for peace and stability. We believe that it is our moral and collective responsibility to address and even respond to the persistent call for social justice by our brethren in the South.

Let our historic bonds of Malay solidarity and friendship strengthen our resolve to forge a community of peace in Asean. We thus appeal to the Malaysian government to reconsider its decision to pull-out the Malaysian troops in the IMT that have successfully maintained a stabilising presence in the South.

( Signed: Ed Garcia, International Alert; Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Anak Mindanao; Former Rep. Mario Aguja; Professor, Mindanao State University-General Santos; Former Rep. Loretta Ann Rosales, Asian Parliamentarian; Prof. Roland Simbulan; Gus Miclat, Executive Director, Initiatives for International Dialogue; Teresita Ang See, Citizens Action Against Crime; Yasmin Busran-Lao, President, Nisa Ul Haqq Fi Bangsamoro; Guiamel Alim, chairperson, Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society; Samira Gutoc, chairperson, Young Moro Professionals Mindanao and Byron Bocar, Akbayan.)