CAB implementation to continue – Ferrer

From the Philippine Star (Feb 21): CAB implementation to continue – Ferrer

The failure of Congress to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will not deter the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), government chief peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said yesterday.

While admitting the passage of the BBL remains to be the cornerstone in the peace process, Ferrer said the peace panels of the government and the MILF will continue the programs that do not require legislative action.

On the socio-economic projects for the transformation of MILF camps into productive communities, Ferrer said solar power systems would be installed to provide communities their electricity needs, hanging bridges will be constructed to connect villages and water supply systems will be built in some other areas.

She said that in the next five months before President Aquino steps down from office in June, the panels would attempt to identify more projects for “the remote parts of Maguindanao and Lanao provinces as well as the other island provinces in Mindanao.”

Ferrer cited the report of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) during the two-day meeting of the peace panels in Kuala Lumpur early last week.

The TJRC is the body tasked to work out a program to address the grievances of the Bangsamoro people, correct historical injustices and address human rights violations.

Ferrer said steps are underway to operationalize the TJRC’s recommendations.

Commenting directly on Congress’ collective inaction on the BBL, Ferrer said the peace process is still “on track.”

“No one is backing out in the peace process, not the MILF, not the government, not the international community that supported our efforts and certainly all the mechanisms are fully functional,” she said.

Ferrer also disclosed the recent meeting with two MILF commanders in Maguindanao telling her that they will abide by the orders of their leadership to observe and protect the ceasefire.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/02/21/1555336/cab-implementation-continue-ferrer