GPH, MILF affirm commitment to pursue milestones gained after signing of CAB

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Mar 28): GPH, MILF affirm commitment to pursue milestones gained after signing of CAB



Speech of Dr. Marjani Mimbantas, member MILF Peace Panel Implementing for the occasion of the 4th Anniversary Signing the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) Photo courtesy of FB CMYM

During yesterday’s (March 27) celebration of the 4th Anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in Pasig City, the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) affirmed their commitment to pursue the milestones gained since the signing of the peace agreement four years ago.
In his remarks, Deputy Presidential Peace Adviser Undersecretary Nabil Tan commended both parties for continuing the legacy of CAB through strengthened partnership for four years.

“The Bangsamoro Basic Law is not just a part of the implementation of the CAB but is meant to address the commitment of the government with the MILF and the Bangsamoro people. The milestones of the peace process are a reminder of how far we’ve come after the signing of CAB in 2014.” he said as quoted by PEACE.gov.ph, the officials website of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

The CAB is the result of an off and on peace negotiation between the government and the MILF that started in 1997.

The signing of the peace agreement signaled the end of 17 years of intensive negotiation and started the normalization phase towards achieving peace in Mindanao, a region devastated by bloody conflict that started in 1973.

MILF Implementing Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal in his message during the celebration urged both parties to continue banking on the gains of peace process, asking the stakeholders to continue supporting the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“The CAB, BBL, and the comprehensive peace process is not for the benefit of the MILF but about addressing the historical injustices suffered by the Bangsamoro communities. The peace process hopes to achieve the contribution to the prosperity and resilience in Mindanao such as job opportunities for the youth, education for our children, infrastructures, incomes for home-grown businesses, and delivery of primary services specially to conflict-affected areas.” Iqbal said.

Lawmakers from both the House of Representatives, and the Senate have assured leaders of the MILF to pass the BBL by end of May so that it will be included in the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“This long-awaited legislation (BBL) will serve as the core of a regional government, one that is stronger than ARMM,” ANAK Mindanao Party List Representative Amhilda Sangcopan said during the celebration. (SOURCE: OPAPP Website)

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