From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 4):
Deles says roadmap to a lasting peace in Mindanao is done within boundaries of the Constitution
The government’s comprehensive roadmap to a lasting peace in Mindanao is done within the boundaries of the
Constitution that will strengthen the politics of reconciliation and build an
economy of equal opportunity to everyone – Muslim, Christian or Indigenous
Peoples, according to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita
Quintos-Deles
Deles extensively discussed last week about the Bangsamoro peace agreement
before the officers and staff of the Lina Group of Companies (LGC).
“Through the Bangsamoro, we shall strengthen the politics of reconciliation
and build an economy of equal opportunity. No one – Muslim, Christian, or
Indigenous Peoples – will be left behind,” she said.
“Each will enjoy the benefits of good governance, social equity, and, most
of all, the rule of law in a society of cultural and religious diversity,” she
said.
Deles said that with the positive trust ratings of President Benigno S.
Aquino III, the peace process in the
Mindanao
could weather impending challenges.
She said the country has an “overwhelming domestic political capital” to
achieve lasting peace in
Mindanao.”
“Let me say before you today that never have we had the overwhelming
domestic and political capital to make this peace deal endure with stability
and permanence,” Deles added.
“With the leadership of our President, P-Noy, who has enjoyed the highest
sustained trust ratings of any President in our history, plus the massive
international support that is funneling into the Mindanao peace process, we can
overcome all the spoilers, we can obtain the support we need to build the
Bangsamoro, we will win this game – this historical endeavor – in the end,” she
pointed out.
Deles was referring to the new Bangsamoro region that will be established as
a result of the negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF). Both parties are expected to sign the Comprehensive
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), which is the final peace deal, at the end of
this month.
Both sides have earlier signed the fourth and last annex of the Framework
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), making a great leap in completing the CAB.
The CAB comprises the FAB and its annexes on Transitional Arrangements and
Modalities, Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing, Power Sharing, and
Normalization, as well as the Addendum on Bangsamoro Waters and Zones of Joint
Cooperation.
Deles said among the qualities of the current southern peace talks are the
gradual decommissioning of firearms on the ground, which she described as a
“true testament to the sincerity and genuine desire of the MILF to fully
embrace the cause of peace.”
“As business people, you know how vital peace and order is to the growth of
your companies. The peace agreement covers this, with provisions for the
creation of a Bangsamoro police force, based on recommendations of an
Independent Commission on Policing and under the umbrella of one Philippine
National Police, to enforce law and order and secure the Bangsamoro from
terrorism and religious extremism,” she said.
“Human security, combined with additional sources of revenues under the
Annex on Wealth-Sharing for social services, infrastructure development and
environment management, will sustain peace and productivity in the Bangsamoro
communities,” she added.
“This is our comprehensive peace roadmap for
Mindanao.
As you can see, the process is very detailed, and also very, very challenging,”
she added.“Our roadmap is designed precisely to ensure that everything is done
within the boundaries of our Constitution including its flexibilities,
accompanied by broad consultations, and a very transparent, inclusive, and
democratic process,” she said.
As the southern peace agreement brings stability, Deles said a new regime of
peace from the upcoming Bangsamoro political entity in southern
Philippines will enable the country, especially
Mindanao to benefit optimally from the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic integration that will start next year.
“As we prepare for the ASEAN economic integration that takes place next
year, we are doing our own economic integration at the national and regional
levels, with a more peaceful
Mindanao emerging
as our attractive gateway to global and regional trade and investments. Two of
our neighbors,
Indonesia and
Malaysia,
have among the largest Muslim constituencies in the world. Poised to achieve
peaceful transformation into a viable and sustainable political and economic
entity, the Bangsamoro shall be our front door to regional trade,” she said.
The regional ASEAN bloc will harmonize and pare away trade and economic
barriers starting late next year under its ASEAN Economic Community strategic
plan. This will make easier the movement of goods, services and finance between
the bloc’s 10 member-nations.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=622060
