GPH-MNLF-OIC agree on joint communiqué

From the Manila Times (Jan 30): GPH-MNLF-OIC agree on joint communiqué

The Philippine government, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have finally agreed in a Joint Communiqué to move on with the peace process from review to implementation.

The communiqué, signed in Jeddah on January 26, marked the conclusion of the Tripartite Review Process (TRP) on the Implementation of the 1996 GPH-MNLF Final Peace Agreement (FPA).

It identified four key areas – the establishment of Bangsamoro Development Assistance Fund; co-management of strategic minerals; participation of MNLF in the Bangsamoro Parliament; and creation of Tripartite Implementation Monitoring Committee.

The Bangsamoro Development Assistance Fund will be used for socio-economic development projects for MNLF communities. Also, the agreement on the co-management of strategic minerals will be referred to the Oversight Committee created by RA 9054 (Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslin Mindanao) for the continuation of its devolution process.

It will also bolster the MNLF participation in the Bangsamoro Transition Commission on the envisioned Bangsamoro Parliament, and the creation of the Tripartite Implementation Monitoring Committee to oversee the consensus arrived at by the TRP.

The communiqué was signed by Undersecretary Jose Yu- suf Iribani Lorena, for the Philippine government; law- yer Randolph Parcasio and Muslimin Sema for the MNLF; with OIC Secretary General Iyad bin Amin Madani for the 57-nation Islamic organization.

The Manila Times tried to reach MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari to comment in the signed Communiqué but only MNLF secretary general Ustadz Murshi Ibrahim gave a statement.

“The agreement signed by the MNLF-OIC-GPH at the conclusion of two-day meeting in Jeddah, is a better step for abiding peace in Morolandia,” Ibrahim said.

Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles, who headed Philippine delegation said “this is an important milestone we have reached the convergence of the two Bangsamoro peace processes.”

Meanwhile, a memorandum signed by Misuari announced the holding of the MNLF Leadership Assembly at the Astana (Palace) in Indanan, Sulu to discuss the results of the tripartite peace review conference in Jeddah.

The gathering, which date was not specified, is expected to be attended by armed and unarmed card-bearing MNLF members, at the same venue it was held earlier this month.

http://www.manilatimes.net/gph-mnlf-oic-agree-on-joint-communique/242203/