Govt-MILF agreement would complement existing pact

From the Manila Times (Nov 22): Govt-MILF agreement would complement existing pact

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles on Wednesday said that the that framework agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation From MILF) will only complement, not disregard, the existing Tripoli Agreement and the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA).“Yes, all agreements can be harmonized for the greater common good of the Bangsamoro,” she said. Deles made the clarification after the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) urged the Philippine government and the MILF not to abandon the 1976 Tripoli Agreement and to include its provisions in the final peace agreement being forged by both parties. She explained that there would be no framework agreement without the previous agreement, stressing that this will only add to what was already being done and will only improve the previous agreement. The latest agreement would pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro, a new autonomous region that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Deles said that she believes that the recent agreement with MILF will be implemented as they continue to work hard to address both parties commitment “on the table and on the ground.” “In the face of whatever doubts and skepticism, we continue to focus on the work that needs to be done to ensure that the process—difficult as we know it is and will continue to be—remains on course,” she added. Earlier, government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen had expressed confidence that both parties would be able to complete the three annexes of the peace pact by the end of the year. MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, on the other hand, shared Leonen’s positive view. “I know everybody exerted their utmost efforts and have managed to settle many things. But the remaining issues are still so many and very hard but with determination and commitment of both parties, I think we will be able to overcome a lot of issues,” he said.

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