Ferrer says GPH, MILF peace process gaining momentum

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 17): Ferrer says GPH, MILF peace process gaining momentum

The peace process to end the decades-old armed conflict in Mindanao has “gained much more momentum” as negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels are now focused in resolving the last three remaining annexes – wealth-sharing, power-sharing and normalization..

This was stressed by Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, chair of the government peace panel, during a press briefing at Café 1771 in Ortigas Center, Pasig City Tuesday night.

She briefed reporters on the outcome of the just-concluded 37th formal exploratory talks held in Kuala Lumpur.

“Considering that we are at the homestretch of discussing the most difficult issues of the negotiations, both parties are cautiously moving forward on surmounting these hard issues,” Ferrer said.

“The government is diligently studying the totality of the commitments, especially their legal, political and financial implication,” Ferrer added.

Ferrer said that “the GPH (Government of the Philippines) wants a peace agreement that is based on a foundation,” saying that President Benigno S. Aquino III “has said time and again (to) deliver what we commit to; commit to what we will be able to deliver.”

During the 37th exploratory talks, Ferrer said that the GPH-MILF technical working group on normalization continued their discussions, and moved towards an agreement on the architecture for the normalization process.

Normalization includes the inventory of weapons and ammunition of the MILF.

Ferrer said that also discussed was the Terms of Reference for Sajahatra Bangsamoro, the development program jointly undertaken by the government and MILF for the delivery of basic socio-economic services to target communities in Mindanao was signed by the two panels.

“The parties agreed on a modality to settle outstanding the issues on the annexes of power-sharing and wealth-sharing, mainly through an exchange of notes in the next weeks with the assistance of the Malaysian facilitator,” Ferrer pointed out.

With regards to the newly-formed Transition Commission (TC), Ferrer said the “commission immediately began the process of organizing itself and is currently focused on setting the administrative arrangements that will facilitate the performance of its tasks.”

Ferrer said that “while awaiting the finalization of all the annexes, we believe that the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro can serve as a lift-off point that will allow the Transitional Commission its substantive work.”

Asked whether the upcoming midyear elections would affect the momentum and pace of the on-going negotiations, specifically on the completion of the annexes, Ferrer said it “has no effect.”

“The GPH wants to complete the annexes and sign the comprehensive agreement at the soonest possible time,” she said.

Ferrer said the two panels have agreed to meet again after the May 13 elections.

She said that during the last round of talks, “the government panel had a frank and candid discussion with the MILF.

Ferrer said that the peace process has gained momentum since formal exploratory talks resumed even as she stressed the need for a give and take by both sides during the course of the negotiations.

She also said there is also a need of fine tuning to resolve any problem that may arise.

Ferrer vowed that the government will go through all these crucial issues to find their solutions.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=517170