"Stand up for peace. Long live the Comprehensive
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB)!"
This is the theme of the 2nd anniversary celebration of the
signing of the 2014 negotiated political settlement between the Government of
the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that served
as basis for the drafting of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and
outlined socioeconomic interventions and transitional justice and
reconciliation mechanisms to ensure a just and lasting peace not only in
Mindanao but across the country.
The anniversary will be commemorated with an event that will
be held at the Notre Dame University Gymnasium in the city on March 28, 2016.
The actual signing of the CAB happened on March 27, 2014 but due to the
observance of Easter Sunday, both the GPH and the MILF agreed to hold it on the
following day.
“Even though the proposed BBL was not passed by the 16th
Congress, the gains achieved in the Bangsamoro peace process throughout the
decades have been tremendous. There is solid basis for the people of the
Bangsamoro to remain hopeful and continue looking forward toward a better,
peaceful future," said GPH chief negotiator Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer.
"Most importantly, the CAB binds the government and the
MILF to a road map that serves as the best deterrent to violent extremism and
lays down the needed social and political reform that would see the full
transformation of the Bangsamoro region into a center of peace and
development,” she added.
The celebration of the CAB signing anniversary will be the
last under the current administration. President Benigno S. Aquino III is
scheduled to step down on June 30 to give way to the winner of the 2016
presidential election.
Ferrer and the rest of the GPH negotiating panels are
co-terminous with the President.
BBL non-passage does not diminish successes
Before the signing of the CAB, the GPH and the MILF launched
the Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program –- a concrete socioeconomic initiative aimed
to uplift the health, education, and livelihood conditions of residents in MILF
communities. Moreover, the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission
held earlier this month a public launching of its report and recommendations on
healing the wounds of war and addressing the legitimate grievances of the
Bangsamoro.
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles announced that concrete actions are being
undertaken with regard the report. She also mentioned that she would initiate
an inter-agency committee to study the TJRC’s recommendations and how to put
them into motion.
Also, since 2012, there has been zero skirmishes recorded
between GPH and MILF forces except the Mamasapano incident which happened on
Jan. 25, 2015. Despite the firefight that lasted hours and resulted in 67
casualties, ceasefire was quickly re-established.
Event Proper
The CAB anniversary celebration will feature several
activities such as a photo exhibit on the Bangsamoro peace process and a public
viewing of select films and documentaries on the struggles and hopes of the
Bangsamoro which will be followed by an open forum. Gates will be opened at 10
a.m. while the actual film viewing will begin 30 minutes after.
The formal program will commence at 1 p.m. Bulk of the
program will be dedicated to awarding plaques of recognition and appreciation
to local and international actors who have been part of the Bangsamoro peace
process throughout the years. Aside from the established peace and ceasefire
mechanisms, past negotiating panel chairs have also been invited as honorees.
Aside from Ferrer and MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal,
other expected guests include: OPAPP Secretary Deles; representative/s of the
MILF Central Committee; members and representatives of the ceasefire
mechanisms; members and representatives of mechanisms under the program for
Normalization; members and representatives of the Third-Parties in the GPH-MILF
peace process; and members and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps.
There will be food booths within the venue that will provide
local delicacies and refreshments beginning 11:30 a.m. Several groups have also
been invited to render cultural performances.
Invitations have also been extended to: members of the
National Peace Council as well as people from the academe, religious
communities, security sector, civil society, indigenous people organizations,
and Royal Houses.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=870437
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