‘World can follow Bangsamoro example’

Paterno R. Esmaquel II

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Diplomats hail the historic deal that aims to end almost 4 decades of conflict

HISTORIC DEAL. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak witness the exchange of documents following the signing of a final peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on March 27, 2014. Photo by Dennis Sabangan/EPA

MANILA, Philippines – The historic Bangsamoro agreement signed Thursday, March 27, sets a good example for other countries caught in conflict, the British ambassador to the Philippines said.

Like other envoys, British Ambassador Asif Ahmad hailed the peace deal as one of the moments “that diplomats strive for.”

“The Bangsamoro has the opportunity to develop best practice for other parts of the Philippines and other countries where there is a history of strife, including in the historic roles being played by women in this process,” Ahmad said.

The ambassador released this statement after the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro on Thursday. (READ: ‘This is the crowning glory of our struggle’)

The Bangsamoro agreement gives rise to a new political entity replacing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It ends 17 years of intense negotiations under 4 Philippine presidents. (INFOGRAPHIC: The Bangsamoro peace deal at a glance

“Successfully implementing this agreement will demonstrate the Philippines’ increasing political maturity, its ability to accomplish things that have been intractable in the past, and its potential to emerge as one the world’s economic powers,” Ahmad added.

‘Faster progress’ seen

Japanese ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe, for his part, called the agreement a “milestone.”

“The government of Japan commends the efforts made by the parties concerned and strongly hopes that this historical event will give further impetus to the quest for peace and development in Mindanao,” Urabe said.

The administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, Helen Clark, noted that development “has been constrained in the area affected by the conflict.”

“With peace, much faster progress can be made on human development,” said Clark, who met with President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday.

The World Bank congratulated the Philippine government and the MILF on the peace agreement.

“We shall continue to scale up efforts to support programs that will broker sustainable peace and development in the Bangsamoro and Mindanao as a whole,” it said in a statement. – Rappler.com

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Paterno R. Esmaquel II

Paterno R. Esmaquel II, news editor of Rappler, specializes in covering religion and foreign affairs. He finished MA Journalism in Ateneo and MSc Asian Studies (Religions in Plural Societies) at RSIS, Singapore. For story ideas or feedback, email pat.esmaquel@rappler.com