MILF: Advocacy on Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro held in South Cotabato

From the MILF Website (May 1): Advocacy on Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro held in South Cotabato



Almost two thousand stakeholders coming from different towns of South Cotabato Province gathered in a daylong Advocacy on Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) geared to inform the masses on the initial peace truce signed by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and be updated on the recent development on the GPH-MILF Peace Process.The event was held on April 29, 2013 at the gymnasium of Barangay Lapu, Polomolok, South Cotabato with the theme “Peace Advocacy on FAB towards the establishment of just and lasting peace in Mindanao.”

It was organized by Coalition of Peoples Organizations headed by Lapu Islamic Foundation with the support of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS).

The delegates were comprised of Moro people from Polomolok, Tupi, Koronadal City, Banga, Surallah, Norallah, Tboli, and Sto. Nino all in South Cotabato including Indigenous People (Blaan and Tboli) and Christian Settlers. Law enforcers and local officials from the province and municipalities also attended.

The key speaker, MILF Peace Panel Member Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga, oriented the audience on the salient points of the FAB. He explained the Bangsamoro Basic Law, Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing, Territory, Basic Rights, Transition and Normalization and the important roles of the third party monitors coming from the international communities.

He reiterated that the rights of the Indigenous peoples will be respected as well as those Christian settlers living in the core territory.

The resource person disclosed that the two panels are still dwelling on the power sharing, wealth sharing and normalization annexes that will form part of the FAB.
He added that the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (TransCom) who are tasked to draft the basic law were already appointed by the President.
Lingga said that the Moro communities outside the core territory can opt to file for petition for inclusion, however they will still undergo plebiscite as required in the democratic process being adopted by the country.

He further explained that the Bangsamoro will be the identity but the citizenship will be Filipino and that the Bangsamoro territory will remain integral part of the Philippines.

Lingga hoped there will be signed a comprehensive peace agreement soon and that there will be elections of officials that will govern the Bangsamoro territory by 2016.
He pointed out the crucial role of the Third Party Monitor who will check if the peace agreement were complied before an exit agreement will be signed by the two parties.
An open forum was also held that gave opportunity to the audience to clarify some issues and queries in their minds.

The local police chief and IP leaders present also expressed their support and hoped for the success of the FAB.

Langcap Quraysh from the CBCS discussed the essence of unity among the Moro National Liberation Front, MILF, Moro political leaders, Kadatuan (traditional leaders), Moro professionals, and Ulama (Muslim scholars) towards the realization of the Bangsamoro dream for real peace and development in Mindanao.

The CBCS is currently implementing the Mindanao Solidarity Project with the primary goal to establish a strong foundation for greater unity, solidarity and cooperation among leaders of the Bangsamoro in preparation for the transition process.

More dialogues are being undertaken by CBCS among the ranks of the Bangsamoro leaders. Quraysh said different Moro leaders have different views on the problems in Mindanao. He said it is important to have a common goal and more prayers for the realization of real peace.

The Political Committees of Koronadal and Ala Provinces with the strong support of the local Social Welfare Committee, Moro youth volunteers and benevolent individuals contributed to the success of the activity.

The GPH-MILF International Monitoring Team and Local Monitoring Team also graced the affair.

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