N. Cotabato town highlights Framework Agreement in celebration Mindanao Week of Peace celebration

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 29): N. Cotabato town highlights Framework Agreement in celebration Mindanao Week of Peace celebration

The Local Government Unit of Kabacan in the province of North Cotabato featured the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in the town’s celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace which started on Monday. Professor Raby Angkal of the MILF Central Committee who graced the event as speaker gave emphasis on the true meaning of the word “Bangsamoro”. He explained that the word is tantamount to the Bangsamoro people in Mindanao who should be given their own territory as part of their long grievances on issues regarding the Moros in the island. The official also noted some of the places which will be part of the Bangsamoro territory. “Maguindanao Province, Lanao del Sur, Tawi-tawi, Sulu and Basilan will be part of the Bangsamoro jurisdiction. Moreover, the cities of Marawi, Cotabato and Isabela are included,” Angkal said. He also specified that six municipalities from Lanao del Norte which voted “yes” during the 2001 plebiscite for the expansion of the ARMM territory will make up the new entity. Also included in the territory are the 36 barangays in the six towns of North Cotabato. Angkal clarified though that there will be another plebiscite to finalize which places will be included as part of the Bangsamoro.

Aside from this, provisions of the framework agreement were tackled such as its creation, basic law, power sharing revenue generation and wealth sharing, territory, basic rights of its people, transition commission, normalization and miscellaneous. Meanwhile, North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza as well as the officials of the local government of Kabacan gave their support on the framework agreement. Angkal said that to further understand the peace pact, officials, must make the first move of letting their fellowmen understand its content. On the other hand, the opening of the Mindanao Week of Peace was attended by students and professors of the different academic institutions of the town, officials of Kabacan LGU as well as officials from the provincial government of North Cotabato. The K5 or the “Kilusan tungo sa Kapayapaan, Kalinisan at Kaunlaran ng Kabacan”, an organization which is aimed at promoting a progressive community will be holding peace activities in the town in line with the celebration. This year’s Mindanao Week of Peace is anchored with the theme, “Love of God, Love of Neighbor, challenge for Mindanao”.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2301354071577