During the
Security Summit held in Davao
City
This would
happen despite the challenges and snail-pace on the deliberations of the
proposed law in both chambers of congress, they said.
They also
said that there were improvements in the peace and order situation and economic
condition in the Bangsamoro since the ceasefire between Philippine government
and the MILF was signed in 1997.
The
Security Summit sponsored by The Asia Foundation (TAF) and Conciliation
Resources was attended by Australian First Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Warren Hoye and members of the Joint Normalization Committee (JNC)
JNC is a
body created by the GPH and MILF peace panels to coordinate the processes and
mechanisms of the Normalization Program as part of the Comprehensive Agreement
on the Bangsamoro; the ceasefire mechanisms which include the International
Monitoring Team (IMT) and Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation
of Hostilities; International Decommissioning Body (IDB) which oversees the
decommissioning process of the MILF; international donor agencies and civil
society organizations (CSOs).
In his
speech during the summit, Hoye said the Australian government is satisfied with
the positive impact of the peace process on the lives of Mindanaoans.
“Since the
ceasefire between the government of the Philippines
“We have
also seen increasing investments in the ARMM in recent years so we have seen
peace bring an improvement in security which has allowed development,” he
added.
Hoye
reiterated that the Australian government remains steadfast in its support to
the peace process and for the development in the ARMM and the Bangsamoro.
He said
that after many decades of violence and conflict in Mindanao, the Comprehensive
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) offers the basis of a durable political
settlement for the people of Mindanao and the Philippines
“There is
some uncertainty around BBL [passage] at present, but we shouldn’t let this
threaten the benefits which have accrued to date through peace and security.”
He added
that Australia remains a
strong supporter of peace in Mindanao and
would like to see lasting peace and stability in the south to allow development
and prosperity to take root in the region.
On his
part, Kristian Herbolzheimer, Programme Director of Conciliation Resources for
the Philippines and Colombia , said the Mindanao peace process is now
the main reference beside prior major peace agreements in Nepal , Sudan
and the Northern Ireland
“The world
is watching what happens in Mindanao ,”
Herbolzheimer said.
“This is to
say that what you are doing now is not only important for Mindanao, for the
Bangsamoro, for the Philippines
Herbolzheimer
explained that military officers and civil society groups in Colombia regularly request him to share
developments in the Mindanao peace process,
particularly on issues related to security and normalization, and the role of
civil society in enforcing and implementing these important facets in a peace
process.
“We do know
that security is the most valued peace dividend for people who live in conflict
affected areas,” he pointed out.
Herbolzheimer
urged the summit’s participants to identify "how we can play complementary
roles in order for all of us to deliver our common goal which is better security,
for the communities and the Bangsamoro."
Retired
Maj. Gen. Leo Cresente M. Ferrer, a member of the JNC representing the
Philippine government, said civil society should play an active role in
enforcing the peace agreement and pressuring the government and the MILF to
follow their commitments.
Atty.
Naguib Sinarimbo, representative of the MILF to JNC, said that they are open
for collaboration with civil society partners, citing CSO contributions in the
milestones of the Bangsamoro peace process. (Source: OPAPP)
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/new/item/589-international-groups-optimistic-bangsamaoro-peace-process-would-succeed
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