Palace: President Aquino welcomes signing of last annex in peace pact with MILF

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 26): Palace: President Aquino welcomes signing of last annex in peace pact with MILF
 

President Benigno Aquino III welcomes the signing of the final annex paving the way for a comprehensive peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Malacañang said Sunday.

Speaking on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the President congratulated the panels of both sides for the signing of the annex in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

"Malugod na ipinaaabot ng Pangulong Aquino ang kanyang pagbati at pasasalamat sa mga kasapi ng Philippine at MILF peace panels sa paglagda sa ikaapat at panghuling annex on normalization kahapon sa Kuala Lumpur na siyang magbibigay daan sa pagbubuo ng Bangsamoro Peace Agreement (The President sends his congratulations and thanks to the Philippine government and MILF peace panels for signing the fourth and final annex on normalization in Kuala Lumpur. This will pave the way for the Bangsamoro peace agreement)," Coloma said.

He said next step now is to craft the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law that will be submitted to Congress. The measure will then be subjected to a plebiscite.

Coloma noted the normalization annex provides for the gradual laying down of arms by the MILF and the decommissioning of its troops.

For its part, the government will also lessen the number of military forces in Mindanao, and help the MILF neutralize private armed groups.

The government will also implement social and economic programs for MILF members, he said.

"Ang mga pagsusuko ng armas ay pangangasiwaan ng isang third party decommissioning body alinsunod sa napagkasunduan ng dalawang panig (The surrender of arms will be supervised by a third-party decommissioning body agreed upon by both sides)," Coloma pointed out.

Meanwhile, Coloma said the government panel fulfilled Aquino's instructions to make sure the pact is:

- compliant with the 1987 Constitution;

- reflects the lessons government learned from past peace efforts; and

- in line with the political, cultural and economic principles of both sides.

"Umaasa tayo na malaki ang magiging kahalagahan nito sa katahimikan ng rehiyon at ganap na kapayapaan sa Mindanao (We expect this will have a major impact on peace in Mindanao)," Coloma said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=609572