Gov't, MILF renew commitment to peace in Bangsamoro region

The government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Saturday renewed their commitment to enforcing the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

Signed in 2014, the CAB became the basis for crafting the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which was passed in 2018 to allow the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In a joint statement, Government of the Philippines (GPH) Peace Implementing Panel chair Cesar Yano and MILF Peace Implementing Panel chair Mohagher Iqbal said they had discussed at least four key areas.

Both parties agreed to further study the proposals for the AFP Redeployment Parameters and Areas for the Joint Security Assessment, Transition Plan for the Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs), and the Integrated Framework for the implementation of the camps transformation program for the initial 33 barangays of the six previously acknowledged MILF camps.

Second, they plan to create a socioeconomic study committee to "discuss and recommend for the panels' approval the components, implementation framework, and funding strategies for the socioeconomic development packages for the decommissioned combatants and camps transformation."

Moreover, they committed to pursuing the efficient delivery of the other components of the peace agreement and intensifying resource mobilization to support the implementation of the CAB.

This includes engaging with international state and non-state donors willing to support the normalization process, subject to appropriate rules and regulations on accepting grants, donations, or any form of development assistance.

The panels also expressed sympathies to the bereaved families of seven MILF members who were killed in a law enforcement operation in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao del Sur, on June 18.

"The Implementing Panels sincerely thank President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., for swiftly directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct investigations on the aforementioned incident. The MILF Implementing Panel reiterated the indispensability of a separate inquiry by an independent body to bolster confidence in the findings," the statement said.

They also expressed gratitude to and confidence in Marcos for fully supporting the Bangsamoro peace process. —VBL, GMA Integrated News