PH gov’t pushes for completion of Tripartite Review Process for MNLF peace deal

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 4): PH gov’t pushes for completion of Tripartite Review Process for MNLF peace deal

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, in a meeting Tuesday with foreign dignitaries whose countries are members of the Peace Committee of the Southern Philippines (PCSP) under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), called for the completion of the Tripartite Review Process on the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

The OIC-PCSP is a body created by the OIC to oversee the implementation of the 1996 peace pact and is currently composed of Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Brunei Darussalam, Turkey, Pakistan, Libya, Senegal, Somalia, and Bangladesh.

“As a lasting solution, we are pushing for the completion of the Tripartite Review Process. The Philippine government is fully committed to an inclusive and comprehensive approach on the quest for a just and lasting peace and development in Mindanao,” Deles said.

Deles challenged the OIC to “complete the review, otherwise, they will stay with the review process and will not implement anything.”

She also hoped that the review process started in 2007 will be put to a close before the ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“If we can accomplish the review process, we can proceed to the implementation of agreements achieved in the review through the mechanisms under the single framework which is the Bangsamoro and the backbone of the single framework is the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law,” she stressed.

The peace process chief laid down the timeline for the enactment of the BBL and assured the OIC that the “government, especially the leadership of both chambers of Congress, is fully committed (to) its passage.”

Under the BBL framework, Deles explained that the engagement of the government and the MNLF will continue through the 42 consensus points now included in the BBL, the participation of MNLF in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and Bangsamoro Government to be established and the inclusion of the MNLF economic agenda in the Bangsamoro Development Plan.

The Administration of former President Fidel V. Ramos signed in 1996 the Final Peace Agreement (FPA) with the MNLF which resulted in the expansion of areas covered by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the integration of MNLF members into the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police and the establishment of transitory mechanisms and special agencies for the development of Mindanao. (OPAPP)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3001441268598/ph-gov-t-pushes-for-completion-of-tripartite-review-process-for-mnlf-peace-deal