OPAPP: Joint Press Statement by the GPH and MILF Negotiating Panels

From the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) (Jul 11): Joint Press Statement by the GPH and MILF Negotiating Panels

Kuala Lumpur - Members of the Government of the Philippines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front Negotiating Panels today ended the special meeting on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law on a positive note.

The Panels, during the four-day meeting, discussed the contents of the draft Basic Law as submitted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) and reviewed by the legal team of the Office of the President. They achieved modest progress and identified consensus language in the light of signed agreements. They resolved to continue working together to come up with a mutually acceptable draft Bangsamoro Basic Law.

The meeting provided the panels the opportunity to clarify misperceptions and affirm the intent and sincerity of the parties to abide by the signed agreements. They agreed to continue discussions on specific concerns in Manila within the next few days. They recognize the importance of these discussions in order to ensure that the draft law would be submitted to Congress at the soonest possible time.

The meeting was held after the BTC, the agency mandated to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law, issued a resolution elevating to the Panels for clarification and resolution the outstanding issues on the draft Basic Law.
Members of the BTC, as well as the International Contact Group, were present to observe the discussions. The meeting was hosted and facilitated by His Excellency Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, the Malaysian facilitator for the peace negotiations.

The Panels thank the public for their continued support towards the common objective of bringing a just resolution to the conflict in Mindanao.

http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/joint-press-statement-gph-and-milf-negotiating-panels