Tan cites gains in the implementation of the '96 GPH-MNLF Final Peace Agreement

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 2): Tan cites gains in the implementation of the '96 GPH-MNLF Final Peace Agreement

Undersecretary Nabil Tan has expressed elation over the recent signing by the Philippine government (GPH), the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) of the Joint Communique that concluded the Tripartite Review Process (TRP) to implement the results of the review process relative to the implementation of the 1996 GPH-MNLF Final Peace Agreement (FPA) after more than eight years of review.

"I’m extremely happy that the 1996 Final Peace Agreement will soon be realized," Tan, a Muslim Tausug from Sulu, said in an interview with this writer.

Tan was a member of the Philippine government delegation that went to Saudi Arabia where the signing of the Joint Communique was made during the two-day 5th Ministerial Level Meeting of the TRP.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles was the head of the Philippine delegation.

Earlier, Deles said the TRP ministerial meeting was held to define a roadmap towards the completion of the review process and identify ways and means of coordination and collaboration for the implementation of what they agreed upon during the review process, paving the way for the implementation of the FPA.

Tan said the Joint Communiqué identified four key areas that the parties agreed to implement:

 

- The establishment of the Bangsamoro Development Assistance Fund (BDAF)that will be used for the socio-economic development projects for MNLF communities;

 

- The agreement on the Co-Management of Strategic Minerals will be referred to the Oversight Committee created by RA 9054 for the continuation of its devolution process;

 

- The participation of the MNLF in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority of the envisioned Bangsamoro Parliament; and,

 

- The creation of the Tripartite Implementation Monitoring Committee, a body that will oversee the implementation of all points of consensus arrived at by the TRP.

The communiqué was signed by Usec. Jose Yusuf Iribani Lorena for the Philippine Government, and lawyer Randolph Parcasio and Muslimin Sema on behalf of the MNLF as principals, along with OIC Secretary General Iyad bin Amin Madani for the 57-nation Islamic organization.

Deles and Samsula Adju of the MNLF signed as witnesses.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=862219