The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National
Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) signed a Memorandum of Agreement
providing joint programs, projects and activities between the two institutions
with the endgoal of promoting sustainable peace in Mindanao
as lawmakers in Congress deliberate the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
AFP Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio P Catapang Jr.,
signed in behalf of the entire armed forces while NCMF Secretary and member of
the President Aquino’s peace negotiating team Bai Yasmin Busran-Lao represented
the Commission.
The NCMF, an institution directly under the Office of the
President, is the government agency that replaced the former Office on Muslim
Affairs and currently has expanded powers, functions and mandate as provided by
Republic Act No. 9997, otherwise known as the law creating the NCMF.
Muslim leaders view the the signing of the Memorandum of
Agreement between the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as a milestone in building national
unity, peace, prosperity and progress for the Muslim Filipinos.
“The accord is timely as Congress is studying the BBL since
the Commission, in partnership with the AFP, can conduct grassroots programs in
Muslim communities and at the same time inform the general public about the
different provisions of the BBL,” NCMF Commissioner Salem Demuna said.
Secretary Lao identified the religious leaders, traditional
leaders, the AFP and the Commission as the main key stakeholders that can work
together in delivering services to the Muslim communities, including those that
are outside the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The engagement with AFP came just after Secretary Lao
partnered with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in the nationwide conduct of mid-decade
census in August this year.
The PSA and the NCMF signed earlier a memorandum of
agreement making the NCMF a major participant in the mid-decade census under
the auspices and supervision of the NEDA.
The AFP-NCMF accord shows that the AFP is firm in “winning
the peace” in Mindanao and strengthens
inter-agency partnership in addressing Muslim concerns, especially those that
affects national agenda for peace and development.
The accord centers on the following concerns: (1) Peace and
Development such as in the areas of building culture of peace, reconciliation,
peaceful co-existence, mutual respect and understanding; (2) Inclusion of Peace
Education in Madrasah (Islamic) Institutions; (3) Youth Peace Leaders
Development Program; (4) Human Rights; and (5) Inclusion of the programs in
both agencies annual plans, programs and projects to ensure sustainability,
success and impact.
The agreement will institutionalize approaches and
mechanisms in addressing issues and concerns that affects the Muslim
communities and provide the NCMF an able partner such as the AFP in
implementing its mandate in serving the Commission’s Muslim constituents.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=757640
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