Marcos taps MNLF to help ensure peaceful, credible BARMM polls

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 2, 2024): Marcos taps MNLF to help ensure peaceful, credible BARMM polls (By Darryl John Esguerra)

PEACEBUILDING. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the opening of the 2024 National Peace Consciousness Month (NPCM) and commemoration of the 28th Anniversary of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) at the Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (Sept. 02, 2024). In his message, Marcos called on the MNLF to help the government ensure a peaceful, orderly, and credible first-ever Bangsamoro parliamentary elections next year. (Photo courtesy of Presidential Photojournalists Association)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday called on the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and other stakeholders in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to ensure a peaceful and credible parliamentary election.

“I also call on the MNLF and other stakeholders of BARMM to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and credible conduct of the 1st Bangsamoro Elections next year,” Marcos said during the opening ceremony for the 2024 National Peace Consciousness Month, and the commemoration of the 28th Anniversary of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the MNLF, at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

“The forthcoming election is an important reminder not only of the democracy that empowers us to mold our destinies but also of the visionaries who paved the way for the freedom that we [all] relish today,” he added.

The first parliamentary election in BARMM will be held simultaneously with the May 12, 2025 midterm elections.

The BARMM covers Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Lamitan, Marawi and Cotabato.

The region was created in 2019 through Republic Act (RA) 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which was enacted after the signing of a peace agreement between the government and the Moro rebels.

Likewise, the President extended his gratitude to the MNLF for supporting the government’s anti-terrorism campaign, particularly in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

Marcos also vowed that his administration would honor and implement all the signed peace agreements for security, inclusive progress, and stability not only in Mindanao but throughout the Philippines.

The peace processes with other former revolutionary organizations such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army, and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade-Tabara Paduano Group (now known as the KAPATIRAN), are now in the advanced stages of implementation, according to the President.

‘Peace begins within us’

In his speech, Marcos stressed that peacebuilding requires collective action.

“Peace begins within us, it flourishes the moment that we strip ourselves of the idea of ‘us versus them’, promote respect for our fellows, uphold everyone’s dignity,” Marcos said.

He stressed that peace may only thrive and prosper by cultivating the “foundations, the conditions, (and) the necessary environment.”

“To my fellow Filipinos, the dividends of the peace that we have worked so hard to achieve are now upon us, and the responsibility to create a more inclusive and prosperous country now lies in our hands,” the Chief Executive said.

“For us to move forward as a strong, undivided nation, the government will continue to pursue a principled and peaceful resolution to internal armed conflicts, with neither blame nor surrender, but with dignity for all,” he added.

In a statement, MNLF chair Nur Misuari vowed to look forward “to the continuous innovation and the gains of peace and the far-reaching needs of our people” under the leadership of President Marcos.

“Excellency, Mr. President, we hope and pray that your Excellency’s leadership will continue to inspire further unity and solidarity of our people,” Misuari said.

He said the commemoration of the 28th anniversary of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement has ushered in peace, progress, and development and enhanced the hope for people towards peace and freedom for the Bangsamoro.

“Furthermore, it has also enhanced and inspired other peace agreements that have been beneficial to our national homeland. Furthermore, some 28 years hence, we pray to the Almighty Allah, that we shall continue to be working for peace and freedom and for the implementation of the remaining provisions of the Peace Agreement,” he added.

Misuari also recognized Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. for “his tireless efforts in pursuing relentlessly your Excellency’s administration’s inclusive peace and freedom for our nation.”

He apologized to the President for his “inability” to attend the commemoration. Misuari’s eldest son, Vice Chairman Abdulkarim, and other MNLF senior leaders joined the celebration in Malacañang.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1232407