MILF: NGOs, LGU in Marawi City back FAB

From the MILF Website (Dec 11): NGOs, LGU in Marawi City back FAB

A multi-sectoral groups composed of non-government organizations (NGOs) and the City Government of Marawi rallied behind the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) by conducting a multi-sectoral peace advocacy at Banggolo Plaza, Marawi City from 8AM to 12NN last December 1. An estimated 15,000 attended the rally. Datu Musa Macabangkit, President of SAKSI Islamic Radio Forum and one of the lead convener of the event, disclosed that almost all sectors of the Bangsamoro society were represented in the said occasion, such as religious, political, academic, NGOs, radio forums, traditional leaders, law enforcers, traders, youth and women sector.

According to organizers, the main purpose of the said event is to enlighten all stakeholders about the FAB so that popular support and acceptance among grassroots communities will be ensured. “We in the NGO and civil society sectors are truly thankful to the Philippine government and the MILF for their enduring patience and perseverance in reaching a compromise formula that will hopefully put a stop to the war in Mindanao,” he cheerfully Macabangkit explained.

The 103rd Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines stationed at Kampo Ranaw, Marawi City also supported this event. Colonel Balenti, the outfit spokesman, emphasized the assurance of his Commanding General, BGen Daniel Lucero, that he strongly and firmly supports the FAB. He further said: “Do not be misled by merely looking at my military uniform. Look deeply into my heart because I am not an enemy. I am a Muslim, a Meranaw and most importantly a Bangsamoro too.”.......

......Dr. Saffrullah M. Dipatuan, Chairman of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), and Dr. Macalinog Saligoin, incumbent Assistant Secretary of DepEd-ARMM enthusiastically presented and explained the FAB. Alim Zainoden Bato, Chairman of the Majlis As-Shoorah of the MILF Central Committee and Datu Said “Abosalman” Sheik, Chairman of the MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) expounded further on the circumstances surrounding the successful signing of the FAB as well as the current efforts being done on the completion of the annexes of the said agreement. Professor Salipada Tamano, representing the academic sector, emotionally summoned the participants to fully support the Framework Agreement......

Datu Agakhan Binladen Sharief, representing the Association of Higher Education Institutions in the ARMM, acknowledged the presence and active participation of the heads of tertiary schools in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur. He also thanked them for allowing their students to represent the youth sector and participate in this grand peace advocacy......

......Asked when will these information drives end, Dr. Dipatuan said: “This will end when we are confident enough that majority, if not all, of the Bangsamoro people have satisfactorily understood and appreciated the provisions of the Framework Agreement. We have scheduled advocacies until early January 2013 and more requests are coming. We have agreed to hold a peace summit at the Provincial Gymnasium in Marawi City in support of the FAB in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur headed by Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” A. Adiong. The Provincial Governor will summon all local government officials from the provincial level down to the barangay level. The MILF, on the other hand, will also invite its political committees from the provincial level down to the barangay level.”

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