Indigenous peoples vow support to FAB, GPH-MILF peace process

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 14): Indigenous peoples vow support to FAB, GPH-MILF peace process

Various Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Maguindanao and nearby provinces have expressed full support to the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB) between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The IPs made their commitment of support during the Regional Indigenous peoples Consultative Assembly on FAB and updates on the peace process held at the municipal gymnasium of Upi, Maguindanao Sunday.

The assembly was organized by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Upi headed by Mayor Ramon Piang, Sr., a GPH panel member, in coordination on the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP) and was attended by different leaders of IPs from Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat province, and Western Mindanao provinces. Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, GPH peace panel chair, presented the FAB and the latest update on the GPH-MILF peace talks. Both sides will resume peace talks this third week of January in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

After the presentation, the more than 300 IP leaders were grouped into four for the consultation.
The first group facilitated by Johaira Wahab of the GPH panel legal team, GPH panel member Secretary Senen Bacani for 2nd groups, Undersecretary Bai Yasmin Lao and fourth group by Prof. Coronel-Ferrer. After the group workshop, the messages from the different IPs leaders in which an "all out support" to the FAB was declared.

Also present were Acting Regional ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, RLA Assemblyman Deonato Mokudef, Brig. Gen. Roland Amarille chairman of GPH AHJAG, Hadja Fatima Kanakan, Executive Director, Office of Southern Cultural Communities (OSCC), Larry Tanzo, ARMM Deputy Governor for Indigenous Peoples, Mayor of South Upi Abdullah Campong, a Teduray by tribe and members of the Sangunian Bayan of Upi and South Upi.

Ferrer told reporters that the forum was meant to educate the area's indigenous people (IPs) on the importance of the FAB, which the government and the MILF crafted Oct. 15, 2012. Hataman said IPs in Maguindanao must not be fazed by speculations on the GPH-MILF peace talks owing to the presence of North Upi's town mayor in the government's peace panel. Mayor Piang is a teduday native. Ferrer also assured participants to the forum that the government panel listens attentively to the views and suggestions of all communities, regardless of their religious identities, on how negotiators of both sides can best address the Mindanao Moro issues.

Assemblyman Deonato Mukudef, representative of IP communities to the ARMM lawmaking body, said the people of North and South Upi were elated with the presence of peace panel members. He said the IPs have agreed that the coming over was an indication their voices will be heard.

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