SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – After 17 years, the Philippine government and Muslim rebels sign a peace agreement on the Bangsamoro entity.
The President hails it as the deal that will end the cycle of poverty and injustice in the region.
Angela Casauay reports.
AL HAJ MURAD EBRAHIM, MILF CHAIRMAN: The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro is the crowning glory of our struggle.
Seventeen years of intense negotiations draws to a close as the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front sign a final peace agreement. The historic event raises hopes for lasting peace in Mindanao.
Hundreds of MILF members foreign dignitaries and supporters of the peace process troop to Kalayaan Hall to witness the momentous event. The rebels hail the peace deal as the grandest articulation of their aspiration. Their chairman, Al Haj Murad says the MILF has no franchise on the new political entity.
AL HAJ MURAD EBRAHIM, MILF CHAIRMAN: The role of the MILF may be likened to a gatekeeper for the transition – then after the keys will be democratically handed over to the Bangsamoro. To be overly emphatic, it’s not be the government of the MILF but the government of the Bangsamoro.
As the peace process in Mindanao enters the implementation phase – the most crucial part of the peace pact – the country that brokered the talks reiterates its support for the deal.
Despite the current crisis in Malaysia, Prime Minister Najib Razak flies to Manila to witness the signing of the comprehensive agreement.
NAJIB RAZAK, MALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER: Malaysia would continue to assist with development. We are willing to help build institutions, strengthen education, improve agriculture. This promise stands for as long as it is needed. Malaysia remains a partner for peace and development.
With the peace pact signed, it is now up to Congress to pass the draft law that will provide the legal framework for the new political entity. The Aquino administration makes a commitment to rally the support of lawmakers behind the deal and issues a warning to those who plan to derail the peace process.
BENIGNO AQUINO, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: My administration will go all out to forge a principled consensus for enduring security and prosperity; I expect the deliberations in Congress to be characterized by a sincere desire to improve on the Bangsamoro Basic Law—and not by self-interest that only aims to perpetuate an untenable status quo. I will not let peace be snatched from my people again. Not now, when we have already undertaken the most difficult and most significant steps to achieve it.
Under the peace deal, the envisioned Bangsamoro government has greater political and fiscal powers than the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The real work to make lasting peace a reality in Mindanao now begins. As the peacemakers like to stress, the process would not come easy. It is now up to the stakeholders to make 17 years of negotiations and 4 decades of armed struggle NOT go to waste.
Angela Casauay, Manila, Rappler. –
AL HAJ MURAD EBRAHIM, MILF CHAIRMAN: The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro is the crowning glory of our struggle.
Seventeen years of intense negotiations draws to a close as the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front sign a final peace agreement. The historic event raises hopes for lasting peace in Mindanao.
Hundreds of MILF members foreign dignitaries and supporters of the peace process troop to Kalayaan Hall to witness the momentous event. The rebels hail the peace deal as the grandest articulation of their aspiration. Their chairman, Al Haj Murad says the MILF has no franchise on the new political entity.
AL HAJ MURAD EBRAHIM, MILF CHAIRMAN: The role of the MILF may be likened to a gatekeeper for the transition – then after the keys will be democratically handed over to the Bangsamoro. To be overly emphatic, it’s not be the government of the MILF but the government of the Bangsamoro.
As the peace process in Mindanao enters the implementation phase – the most crucial part of the peace pact – the country that brokered the talks reiterates its support for the deal.
Despite the current crisis in Malaysia, Prime Minister Najib Razak flies to Manila to witness the signing of the comprehensive agreement.
NAJIB RAZAK, MALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER: Malaysia would continue to assist with development. We are willing to help build institutions, strengthen education, improve agriculture. This promise stands for as long as it is needed. Malaysia remains a partner for peace and development.
With the peace pact signed, it is now up to Congress to pass the draft law that will provide the legal framework for the new political entity. The Aquino administration makes a commitment to rally the support of lawmakers behind the deal and issues a warning to those who plan to derail the peace process.
BENIGNO AQUINO, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: My administration will go all out to forge a principled consensus for enduring security and prosperity; I expect the deliberations in Congress to be characterized by a sincere desire to improve on the Bangsamoro Basic Law—and not by self-interest that only aims to perpetuate an untenable status quo. I will not let peace be snatched from my people again. Not now, when we have already undertaken the most difficult and most significant steps to achieve it.
Under the peace deal, the envisioned Bangsamoro government has greater political and fiscal powers than the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The real work to make lasting peace a reality in Mindanao now begins. As the peacemakers like to stress, the process would not come easy. It is now up to the stakeholders to make 17 years of negotiations and 4 decades of armed struggle NOT go to waste.
Angela Casauay, Manila, Rappler.
– Rappler.com
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