From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 14): MNLF leaders to attend Framework
Agreement signing on Monday -- Deles
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita "Ging" Deles said
on Sunday some leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) will be
attending the historic signing of the Framework Agreement on Monday in
Malacanang.
"I have talked to the (MNLF) facilitators of the tripartite review. They
agree with the process. We have been telling them that the MNLF will be
acknowledged and will not be left behind in the process," said Deles in a radio
interview.... Dean Marvic Leonen, chairman of the government peace panel, in an earlier
interview, however, said that the MNLF is a political organization, while the
MILF is a Moro rebel group.
"The MNLF is a political organization and it depends on the MILF if it wants
to build alliances with the MNLF and we're hoping that they do," he said.
As of now, Misuari refused to join the process on the creation of
Bangsamoro....
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=462502
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Suspected Aby Sayyaf bandits kill 3 soldiers
From the Sun Star (Oct 14): Suspected Aby Sayyaf bandits kill 3 soldiers
Philippine military officials said three Army soldiers traveling on motorcycles to buy food in a market in the southern Philippines were killed by suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen. Regional Army Captain Alberto Caber said the four attackers, who were armed with pistols and also traveling on board two motorcycles, opened fire on the unarmed soldiers Saturday as they were about to overtake them on a hillside road near a village in Lamitan City on the southern island of Basilan. Caber said Sunday that the three soldiers died while being brought to a hospital. Army troops are trying to find the gunmen. US-backed offensives have considerably weakened the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf in Basilan and nearby islands but the militants remain a key security threat.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/10/14/suspected-aby-sayyaf-bandits-kill-3-soldiers-247951
Philippine military officials said three Army soldiers traveling on motorcycles to buy food in a market in the southern Philippines were killed by suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen. Regional Army Captain Alberto Caber said the four attackers, who were armed with pistols and also traveling on board two motorcycles, opened fire on the unarmed soldiers Saturday as they were about to overtake them on a hillside road near a village in Lamitan City on the southern island of Basilan. Caber said Sunday that the three soldiers died while being brought to a hospital. Army troops are trying to find the gunmen. US-backed offensives have considerably weakened the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf in Basilan and nearby islands but the militants remain a key security threat.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/10/14/suspected-aby-sayyaf-bandits-kill-3-soldiers-247951
MNLF now says it won’t go to war over new Bangsamoro region in Mindanao
From the Mindanao Examiner (Oct 14): MNLF now says it won’t go to war over new Bangsamoro region in
Mindanao
A former Libyan firebrand Nur Misuari, whose group has opposed Manila’s peace deal with the rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front, doused fears that it could spark a new war in the southern Philippines. Misuari - who heads a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front that signed a peace agreement with the government in September 1996 – made the assurance during a meeting with Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan in Zamboanga City over the weekend. Misuari is opposing the new autonomous political entity called Bangsamoro that Manila and the MILF have agreed.... Misuari was quoted by the Philippine media as saying that the new Bangsamoro autonomous region could spark unrest and may lead to war in Mindanao. “I was misunderstood. What I said was the framework (of the peace deal) might be a recipe for a crisis which may include war,” Misuari told Tan.... If I want hostilities to resume, why would I announce it? A person who understands war knows that the element of surprise is very important; I would have kept silent if that was what my intention. In fact, I am running for ARMM governor this coming May 2013 polls. I am a politician now, we only want what is good for our people,” Misuari said....
Photos released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner by the Sulu provincial government show MNLF chairman Nur Misuari speaks to Sulu Governor Sakur Tan during a one-on-one meeting inZamboanga City
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20121014021519
A former Libyan firebrand Nur Misuari, whose group has opposed Manila’s peace deal with the rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front, doused fears that it could spark a new war in the southern Philippines. Misuari - who heads a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front that signed a peace agreement with the government in September 1996 – made the assurance during a meeting with Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan in Zamboanga City over the weekend. Misuari is opposing the new autonomous political entity called Bangsamoro that Manila and the MILF have agreed.... Misuari was quoted by the Philippine media as saying that the new Bangsamoro autonomous region could spark unrest and may lead to war in Mindanao. “I was misunderstood. What I said was the framework (of the peace deal) might be a recipe for a crisis which may include war,” Misuari told Tan.... If I want hostilities to resume, why would I announce it? A person who understands war knows that the element of surprise is very important; I would have kept silent if that was what my intention. In fact, I am running for ARMM governor this coming May 2013 polls. I am a politician now, we only want what is good for our people,” Misuari said....
Photos released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner by the Sulu provincial government show MNLF chairman Nur Misuari speaks to Sulu Governor Sakur Tan during a one-on-one meeting in
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20121014021519
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Manila heightens alert for peace pact signing
From The Peninsula (Oct 14): Manila heightens alert for peace pact signing
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be placed on alert as part of security measures with the expected arrival of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) secretary-general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu to witness the signing of the framework agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf) tomorrow.
PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr said police forces in Luzon and the Visayas were placed on heightened alert while other police units in Mindanao remained on full alert....
http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/s-asiaphilippines/210716-manila-heightens-alert-for-peace-pact-signing.html
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be placed on alert as part of security measures with the expected arrival of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) secretary-general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu to witness the signing of the framework agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf) tomorrow.
PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr said police forces in Luzon and the Visayas were placed on heightened alert while other police units in Mindanao remained on full alert....
http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/s-asiaphilippines/210716-manila-heightens-alert-for-peace-pact-signing.html
Philippine Army News Clippings (Oct 8-13)
From Faces, Places & Voices (Ranger Cabunzky) Blog (Oct 8-13): Philippine Army News Clippings
October 8: http://www.scribd.com/doc/109714904/08-Oct-2012-Newsclippings
October 9: http://www.scribd.com/doc/109715169/09-Oct-12#page=1
October 10: http://www.scribd.com/doc/109715497/10-Oct-12-News-Clippings#page=1
October 11: http://www.scribd.com/doc/109715844/11-Oct-12-Clippings#page=1
October 12: http://www.scribd.com/doc/109224850/07-October-12-Clippings#page=1
October 13: http://www.scribd.com/doc/109876858/13-Oct-12#page=1
http://rangercabunzky.blogspot.com/p/philippine-army-news-clipping.html
October 8: http://www.scribd.com/doc/109714904/08-Oct-2012-Newsclippings
October 9: http://www.scribd.com/doc/109715169/09-Oct-12#page=1
October 10: http://www.scribd.com/doc/109715497/10-Oct-12-News-Clippings#page=1
October 11: http://www.scribd.com/doc/109715844/11-Oct-12-Clippings#page=1
October 12: http://www.scribd.com/doc/109224850/07-October-12-Clippings#page=1
October 13: http://www.scribd.com/doc/109876858/13-Oct-12#page=1
http://rangercabunzky.blogspot.com/p/philippine-army-news-clipping.html
Mixed feelings on the roadmap to peace
Opinion piece from Rappler (Oct 14): Mixed feelings on the roadmap to peace
.... Yet, why is it that I’ve been feeling some butterflies in my stomach since the framework was made public and that I couldn’t get myself to fully get into a fiesta mood? Why do I have mixed feelings about supposedly this big leap for peace?
.... My problem is not the roadmap which looks sleek and logical. The problem is that it is not clear whether the parties are committed to accept any outcome so long as the roadmap is followed. The decommissioning of the MILF troops will take place in phases. Whether the decommissioning shall be done in step with faithful observance of the roadmap or to the extent the outcome satisfies the MILF is an open question....
.... What really happened is that the arena of the negotiations has been changed.... These institutions are the Philippine Congress, Supreme Court, Moro revolutionary fronts, traditional, religious and political leaders in the Bangsamoro areas. This arena is a big minefield that scares me no end. There are many things that can go wrong in this arena....
The Philippine government is accommodating the demands of the MILF within the country’s political system, constitution and laws. The agreement contains provisions with doubtful constitutional and statutory bases, among which are the ministerial form of government, abolition of the ARMM and the asymmetric relationship between central government and the Bangsamoro government.
Legal challenges can stop, set back or disrupt the process....
http://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/14151-mixed-feelings-on-the-bangsamoro-region
.... Yet, why is it that I’ve been feeling some butterflies in my stomach since the framework was made public and that I couldn’t get myself to fully get into a fiesta mood? Why do I have mixed feelings about supposedly this big leap for peace?
.... My problem is not the roadmap which looks sleek and logical. The problem is that it is not clear whether the parties are committed to accept any outcome so long as the roadmap is followed. The decommissioning of the MILF troops will take place in phases. Whether the decommissioning shall be done in step with faithful observance of the roadmap or to the extent the outcome satisfies the MILF is an open question....
.... What really happened is that the arena of the negotiations has been changed.... These institutions are the Philippine Congress, Supreme Court, Moro revolutionary fronts, traditional, religious and political leaders in the Bangsamoro areas. This arena is a big minefield that scares me no end. There are many things that can go wrong in this arena....
The Philippine government is accommodating the demands of the MILF within the country’s political system, constitution and laws. The agreement contains provisions with doubtful constitutional and statutory bases, among which are the ministerial form of government, abolition of the ARMM and the asymmetric relationship between central government and the Bangsamoro government.
Legal challenges can stop, set back or disrupt the process....
http://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/14151-mixed-feelings-on-the-bangsamoro-region
MNLF official appeals for support for peace deal
From the Philippine Star (Oct 14): MNLF official
appeals for support for peace deal
A senior official of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is appealing for support for the framework peace agreement set for signing tomorrow between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Hadja Bainon Karon, also acting vice governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), made the call even as MNLF chief Nur Misuari has criticized the framework deal and called it a violation of the 1976 Tripoli agreement between his group and then President Ferdinand Marcos. “I ask all our leaders and our constituents in the areas of autonomy and even outside ARMM to give the new agreement a chance. Let us give peace a chance,” Karon said during a peace rally held in Cotabato City by the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society Wednesday....
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=859259&publicationSubCategoryId=63
A senior official of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is appealing for support for the framework peace agreement set for signing tomorrow between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Hadja Bainon Karon, also acting vice governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), made the call even as MNLF chief Nur Misuari has criticized the framework deal and called it a violation of the 1976 Tripoli agreement between his group and then President Ferdinand Marcos. “I ask all our leaders and our constituents in the areas of autonomy and even outside ARMM to give the new agreement a chance. Let us give peace a chance,” Karon said during a peace rally held in Cotabato City by the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society Wednesday....
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=859259&publicationSubCategoryId=63
Iqbal: Thinker, tough on issues, soft on people
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 14): Iqbal: Thinker, tough on issues, soft on people
Mohagher Iqbal is the public face of the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). But Iqbal, now in his 60s, is a very
private person, talking very little about himself in interviews with
journalists. He does not talk about his family either,
keeping the privacy of his relatives through his silence. Iqbal, who hails from Maguindanao, joined
the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1972 just after earning a
university degree.... Being head of the MILF’s committee on
information, Iqbal is called the rebel group’s “think tank.” But he is known more among his peers in
the MILF for his being softhearted, especially toward ordinary people. In public, however, Iqbal appears as a
grizzled, iron-willed warrior. “Be tough on issues, be soft on people,”
Iqbal, who has led the MILF peace panel since 2004, said. And that, he said, is his guiding
principle....
Panel member: It is not a Muslim conflict
From the New Straits Times (Oct 14): Panel member: It is not a Muslim conflict
[Views of Abhoud Syed M. Lingga-Executive Director of the pro-MILF Institute for Bangsamoro Studies]
Institute of Bangsamoro Studies executive director Abhoud Syed M. Lingga, who is also a member of the peace panel, said the Bangsamoro took up arms to fight for self-determination. "People always get confused, saying that it is a Muslim conflict. It is not, as it is a political conflict that needed a political solution," he said at his office in Campo Muslim here yesterday. "Even though we are aiming to establish an Islamic state, we will adopt a moderate interpretation of the religion which is more open...." "What will be signed on Monday will be a win-win situation for the Bangsamoro and the government. "Bangsamoro will be able to exercise their rights to a certain degree, but remain as Philippine citizens. At the same time, the country remains intact and nothing is lost...."
Institute of Bangsamoro Studies executive director Abhoud Syed M. Lingga
http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/panel-member-it-is-not-a-muslim-conflict-1.156662
[Views of Abhoud Syed M. Lingga-Executive Director of the pro-MILF Institute for Bangsamoro Studies]
Institute of Bangsamoro Studies executive director Abhoud Syed M. Lingga, who is also a member of the peace panel, said the Bangsamoro took up arms to fight for self-determination. "People always get confused, saying that it is a Muslim conflict. It is not, as it is a political conflict that needed a political solution," he said at his office in Campo Muslim here yesterday. "Even though we are aiming to establish an Islamic state, we will adopt a moderate interpretation of the religion which is more open...." "What will be signed on Monday will be a win-win situation for the Bangsamoro and the government. "Bangsamoro will be able to exercise their rights to a certain degree, but remain as Philippine citizens. At the same time, the country remains intact and nothing is lost...."
Institute of Bangsamoro Studies executive director Abhoud Syed M. Lingga
http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/panel-member-it-is-not-a-muslim-conflict-1.156662
It could be peace
From the Economist (Oct 11): It could be peace
AFTER 16 years of on-and-off negotiations, the Philippines government and the main Muslim rebel group in the southern region of Mindanao, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, agreed to the outlines of a peace deal on October 6th. The two sides are due to sign it formally on October 15th. If it works, which is far from guaranteed, it could bring an end to more than four decades of fighting by armed Muslims seeking independence from the mainly Christian archipelago nation. The Mindanao conflict has killed perhaps 120,000 people and displaced 2m more. Mindanao is home to most of the country’s Muslims, who make up about 5% of the population of about 100m.... All fine stuff. But the government and the rebels have yet to agree on the details....
http://www.economist.com/node/21564611
AFTER 16 years of on-and-off negotiations, the Philippines government and the main Muslim rebel group in the southern region of Mindanao, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, agreed to the outlines of a peace deal on October 6th. The two sides are due to sign it formally on October 15th. If it works, which is far from guaranteed, it could bring an end to more than four decades of fighting by armed Muslims seeking independence from the mainly Christian archipelago nation. The Mindanao conflict has killed perhaps 120,000 people and displaced 2m more. Mindanao is home to most of the country’s Muslims, who make up about 5% of the population of about 100m.... All fine stuff. But the government and the rebels have yet to agree on the details....
http://www.economist.com/node/21564611
Leonen: Let's debate the Bangsamoro deal
From Rappler (Oct 13): Leonen: Let's debate the Bangsamoro deal
Citizen involvement is key to the Bangsamoro peace deal, government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen told Rappler days before the Framework Agreement's historic signing on Monday, October 15. “After all, part of the importance of a Framework Agreement is that it causes or triggers a national debate on how it would be best to restructure our government, so that the aspirations of a culture or a group that has been shunted aside by our historical past could be better addressed,” Leonen said in an interview with Rappler executive editor and CEO Maria Ressa on #TalkThursday....
http://www.rappler.com/nation/14118-leonen-let-s-debate-on-bangsamoro-deal
Citizen involvement is key to the Bangsamoro peace deal, government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen told Rappler days before the Framework Agreement's historic signing on Monday, October 15. “After all, part of the importance of a Framework Agreement is that it causes or triggers a national debate on how it would be best to restructure our government, so that the aspirations of a culture or a group that has been shunted aside by our historical past could be better addressed,” Leonen said in an interview with Rappler executive editor and CEO Maria Ressa on #TalkThursday....
http://www.rappler.com/nation/14118-leonen-let-s-debate-on-bangsamoro-deal
Negotiator shrugs off Misuari threat
From Rappler (Oct 12): Negotiator shrugs off Misuari threat
.... Bacani, however, said the MILF-breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) would be excluded from the agreement. “The BIFM is outside the MILF and would not be included in our agreement,” said Bacani, noting that the government will deal with the BIFM through law enforcement instead. Formerly known as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the BIFM led by Ustadz Ameril Umra Kato, who was the commander of the 105th Base Command, splintered from the MILF after serious disagreements with the group’s peace negotiation with the government. Abu Misry Mama, spokesman of the BIFM, said they would continue their jihad for a separate state even if the MILF and the government would ink the final peace agreement. "The government is right when they said that we are outlaws under the Constitution of the Philippines, which we do not honor. Our Constitution is the Quran and Hadith which were created by Allah and not by humans," Mama said....
http://www.rappler.com/nation/14065-peace-negotiator-shrugs-off-misuari-threat
.... Bacani, however, said the MILF-breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) would be excluded from the agreement. “The BIFM is outside the MILF and would not be included in our agreement,” said Bacani, noting that the government will deal with the BIFM through law enforcement instead. Formerly known as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the BIFM led by Ustadz Ameril Umra Kato, who was the commander of the 105th Base Command, splintered from the MILF after serious disagreements with the group’s peace negotiation with the government. Abu Misry Mama, spokesman of the BIFM, said they would continue their jihad for a separate state even if the MILF and the government would ink the final peace agreement. "The government is right when they said that we are outlaws under the Constitution of the Philippines, which we do not honor. Our Constitution is the Quran and Hadith which were created by Allah and not by humans," Mama said....
http://www.rappler.com/nation/14065-peace-negotiator-shrugs-off-misuari-threat
The Bangsamoro deserves statistics
Opinion piece from the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 12): The Bangsamoro deserves statistics
.... P-Noy is extremely popular among Muslims. How many would guess, for instance, that President Aquino’s popularity is even higher among Muslims than among Filipinos in general? The SWS Third Quarter survey for 2012, done last Aug. 24-27, found 89 percent of its Muslim respondents satisfied, and only 6 percent of them dissatisfied, with his performance, giving him a net satisfaction rating of +83, well above the +70 SWS border line for Excellent. Thus, P-Noy’s popularity among Muslims far outstrips the 77 percent satisfied and 10 percent dissatisfied with him, for a net +67, among Filipinos nationwide in the Third Quarter, classified as Very Good. I doubt that the new Framework Agreement does any harm to the President’s standing among Muslims.
Poverty is much more extensive among Muslims. In the SWS survey of August 2012, self-rated poverty among families with Muslim heads was 61 percent, compared to 47 percent among families in general, nationwide. As first reported in BusinessWorld on Sept. 24, the national percentage of the self-rated poor fell from 51 in May to 47 in August. For Muslim families in particular, special tabulations show that the percentage of the self-rated poor fell from a massive 78 in May to 61 in August. Thus, Muslim families, though poorer, shared in the recent decline in poverty.
Self-rated food-poverty (families rating their food as poor or mahirap) also declined over the last two quarters. For families in general, the decline was from 39 percent in May to 35 percent in August. For Muslim families in particular, tabulations show that the decline was from 76 percent in May to 55 percent in August. Thus, Muslim families also shared in the recent decline in food-poverty.
Among Muslim families in particular, tabulations of the August survey show that those that experienced hunger were 31.6 percent, consisting of 25.3 percent in moderate hunger, and 6.3 percent in severe hunger. Yet hunger fell among Muslims, between May and August. Tabulations of the May survey show that, among Muslim families, those that experienced hunger were 44.3 percent, consisting of 31.0 percent in moderate hunger, and 13.3 percent in severe hunger.
Statistical visibility matters. Groups without data are statistically invisible. Just as there are statistics pertaining specifically to women, so too can there be statistics pertaining specifically to the Bangsamoro. But statistical data do not grow in the wild on trees, awaiting harvest; they need nurturing, in orchards. Statistical agencies, both public and private, must gear up for this challenge. Social Weather Stations will include the Bangsamoro in its survey agenda. The Bangsamoro should have its own independent research institutes.
Statistics is a branch of the sciences, and social survey research is one of its applications. They assist in peaceful advocacy for the wellbeing of a social group, by raising public consciousness about it. They are not branches of public relations or of fiction-writing. The more the practitioners of statistics about the Bangsamoro, the clearer will be the truth about its people.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/38610/the-bangsamoro-deserves-statistics
.... P-Noy is extremely popular among Muslims. How many would guess, for instance, that President Aquino’s popularity is even higher among Muslims than among Filipinos in general? The SWS Third Quarter survey for 2012, done last Aug. 24-27, found 89 percent of its Muslim respondents satisfied, and only 6 percent of them dissatisfied, with his performance, giving him a net satisfaction rating of +83, well above the +70 SWS border line for Excellent. Thus, P-Noy’s popularity among Muslims far outstrips the 77 percent satisfied and 10 percent dissatisfied with him, for a net +67, among Filipinos nationwide in the Third Quarter, classified as Very Good. I doubt that the new Framework Agreement does any harm to the President’s standing among Muslims.
Poverty is much more extensive among Muslims. In the SWS survey of August 2012, self-rated poverty among families with Muslim heads was 61 percent, compared to 47 percent among families in general, nationwide. As first reported in BusinessWorld on Sept. 24, the national percentage of the self-rated poor fell from 51 in May to 47 in August. For Muslim families in particular, special tabulations show that the percentage of the self-rated poor fell from a massive 78 in May to 61 in August. Thus, Muslim families, though poorer, shared in the recent decline in poverty.
Self-rated food-poverty (families rating their food as poor or mahirap) also declined over the last two quarters. For families in general, the decline was from 39 percent in May to 35 percent in August. For Muslim families in particular, tabulations show that the decline was from 76 percent in May to 55 percent in August. Thus, Muslim families also shared in the recent decline in food-poverty.
Among Muslim families in particular, tabulations of the August survey show that those that experienced hunger were 31.6 percent, consisting of 25.3 percent in moderate hunger, and 6.3 percent in severe hunger. Yet hunger fell among Muslims, between May and August. Tabulations of the May survey show that, among Muslim families, those that experienced hunger were 44.3 percent, consisting of 31.0 percent in moderate hunger, and 13.3 percent in severe hunger.
Statistical visibility matters. Groups without data are statistically invisible. Just as there are statistics pertaining specifically to women, so too can there be statistics pertaining specifically to the Bangsamoro. But statistical data do not grow in the wild on trees, awaiting harvest; they need nurturing, in orchards. Statistical agencies, both public and private, must gear up for this challenge. Social Weather Stations will include the Bangsamoro in its survey agenda. The Bangsamoro should have its own independent research institutes.
Statistics is a branch of the sciences, and social survey research is one of its applications. They assist in peaceful advocacy for the wellbeing of a social group, by raising public consciousness about it. They are not branches of public relations or of fiction-writing. The more the practitioners of statistics about the Bangsamoro, the clearer will be the truth about its people.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/38610/the-bangsamoro-deserves-statistics
Palace downplays MNLF plan to question pact in intl forums
From GMANews (Oc 13): Palace downplays MNLF plan to question pact in intl forums
Malacañang on Saturday downplayed reported plans by the Moro National Liberation Front to question before international forums the framework peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Organization of Islamic Conference will be represented at the signing of the pact in Malacañang on Monday. “That will be up to them. The secretary general of the OIC will also be present on Monday,” she said on government-run dzRB radio. Earlier reports quoted Habib Mujahab Hashim, head of the MNLF’s Islamic Command Council, as accusing government of betraying the MNLF for the pact with the MILF. He was quoted as saying they will bring the matter to the OIC. The MNLF is an observer in the OIC. But Valte pointed out OIC secretary general Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu is among the personalities who are expected to attend Monday’s signing....
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/278128/news/nation/palace-downplays-mnlf-plan-to-question-pact-in-intl-forums
Malacañang on Saturday downplayed reported plans by the Moro National Liberation Front to question before international forums the framework peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Organization of Islamic Conference will be represented at the signing of the pact in Malacañang on Monday. “That will be up to them. The secretary general of the OIC will also be present on Monday,” she said on government-run dzRB radio. Earlier reports quoted Habib Mujahab Hashim, head of the MNLF’s Islamic Command Council, as accusing government of betraying the MNLF for the pact with the MILF. He was quoted as saying they will bring the matter to the OIC. The MNLF is an observer in the OIC. But Valte pointed out OIC secretary general Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu is among the personalities who are expected to attend Monday’s signing....
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/278128/news/nation/palace-downplays-mnlf-plan-to-question-pact-in-intl-forums
Malaysian prime minister: Peace deal to be felt even in Sabah
From GMANews (Oct 13): Malaysian prime minister: Peace deal to be felt even in Sabah
The repercussions of a Mindanao peace deal may be felt even in Sabah, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on Saturday. Najib said the framework peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which Malaysia facilitated, could bring down the number of Filipinos fleeing unrest in Mindanao and illegally entering Sabah, while encourage current residents to return home. Hundreds of thousands of illegal Filipino immigrants in Sabah have long been a source of friction between the Philippines and Malaysia. The region has also long been considered a back door for illicit activities, and fugitives and even terrorists traveling between the two countries. "We have played a role as facilitator for the peace and if we help in the development Mindanao ... it will have a positive impact on the region and Sabah," Najib said, according to an article posted in Malaysia's The Star....
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/278150/news/nation/malaysian-prime-minister-peace-deal-to-be-felt-even-in-sabah
The repercussions of a Mindanao peace deal may be felt even in Sabah, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on Saturday. Najib said the framework peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which Malaysia facilitated, could bring down the number of Filipinos fleeing unrest in Mindanao and illegally entering Sabah, while encourage current residents to return home. Hundreds of thousands of illegal Filipino immigrants in Sabah have long been a source of friction between the Philippines and Malaysia. The region has also long been considered a back door for illicit activities, and fugitives and even terrorists traveling between the two countries. "We have played a role as facilitator for the peace and if we help in the development Mindanao ... it will have a positive impact on the region and Sabah," Najib said, according to an article posted in Malaysia's The Star....
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/278150/news/nation/malaysian-prime-minister-peace-deal-to-be-felt-even-in-sabah
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