Books on peace to mark anniversary of Bangsamoro agreement

This is an announcement from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP):

MANILA, Philippines – A compilation of peace essays, speeches, and statements bound into two books and a magazine will be launched on Friday, March 27, to coincide with the commemoration of the first anniversary of the signing of the landmark Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) will
hold the book launch at the Baluarte de San Diego Gardens, Intramuros, Manila, on March 27. The event is open to the public.

Entitled “Getting to Peace: Opening Statements from the GPH-MILF Peace Talks (2011-2014),” the book is a compilation of statements that were delivered by the chief negotiators – Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Mohagher Iqbal — during the formal peace negotiations under the Aquino administration.

The book “In Defense of the Bangsamoro Basic Law: Selected Essays,” are composed mainly of speeches and essays articulated in several peace forums and discussions on the southern Philippines peace process. The authors are Ferrer, peace panel member Senen Bacani, GPH Technical Working Group head Jose Luis Martin Gascon, the head of peace panel’s legal team Atty. Anna Tarhata Basman, University of the Philippines College of Muslim Affairs Dean Julkipli Wadi, retired Justice Adolf Azcuna, and the framers of the 1987 Constitution.

Along with the books, the “Kababaihan at Kapayapaan Magazine” will also release its third edition with stories of women advocating peace in the country.

The launching of the book comes with a renewed sense of commitment to ensure the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to cap the years of negotiations for a just and lasting peace in Mindanao, Coronel-Ferrer said.

She noted that proponents of the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF want to reaffirm their commitment to President Benigno S. Aquino III’s declaration at the signing of the CAB a year ago to “not let the peace that we have all worked for be snatched from our people again.” Coronel-Ferrer added that the event is likewise a call to the Filipino people to support the peace process.

“We want to emphasize that while the congressional deliberations have been delayed by the Mamasapano incident, the peace process continues. We are confident that members of our Congress, with the commitment of its leaders, would ensure passage of the BBL in line with their own commitment to the success of the peace process,” Coronel-Ferrer said. – Rappler.com