MILF: Chairman Murad invited to PHL development forum

From GMANews (Feb 3): MILF: Chairman Murad invited to PHL development forum

Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman Al Haj Murad has been invited by the Department of Finance to attend the Philippine Development Forum in Davao City on February 4 to 5, the MILF said Sunday.

The MILF quoted DOF Secretary Cesar Purisima as saying the PDF is a venue for "encouraging development partners for achieving peace and progress in Mindanao.”

"The part of Chairman Murad shall emphasize on the government-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed in Malacañan Palace last October 15, 2012," the MILF quoted central committee secretariat head Muhammad Ameen as saying.

Ameen said the MILF is thankful to the Philippine government and the DOF for the invitation.

He cited the initiatives of the government in factoring significantly the framework agreement in the PDF.

“We sincerely hope that both the government and MILF, as peace and development partners, can faithfully deliver on the promises of the framework agreement taking into consideration the general welfare of the Bangsamoro people as the primary goal,” he said.

Ameen also said the MILF and the government must be appreciated as honest-to-goodness partners in the realization of the gains of the framework agreement.

He likewise cited Malaysia's "indispensable" role as the third-party facilitator in the peace efforts.

“The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro opens investments and opportunities for the Bangsamoro to live in peace and progress. But we cannot do this alone,” said Ameen.

He added “the final analysis entails national projections for the obvious reason that whatever happened to Framework Agreement will have national impact.”

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/293203/economy/business/milf-chairman-murad-invited-to-phl-development-forum