ON MARCH 27, after 17 years of tumult and unrest, the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) inked a historic pact for lasting peace in Mindanao through the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
“Today, we celebrate the shared victory of the Filipino and Bangsamoro people. This is a fitting solution to the undying aspiration of the Bangsamoro,” MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said.
According to President Benigno S. Aquino III, it is only through vigilance and perseverance that the peace agreement can be sustained.
“What is being presented before us now is a path that can lead to a permanent change in the status quo in Muslim Mindanao. But as with all change, its success depends on our continuous vigilance. We must admit that there are those who will champion the status quo to preserve themselves in positions of power and wealth. Maintaining this requires holding back the majority, for any sign of individual or collective advancement is a threat,” Aquino said.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who witnessed the signing of the peace agreement, vowed to continue helping the Philippine government achieve peace.
“This promise stands, for as long as it is needed. Malaysia remains a partner for peace and development,” Najib said, adding that four years of armed conflict in Mindanao “robbed a generation of healthcare, of education, of income.”
“This peace process has strengthened the bond of trust between our countries. As we look ahead to a brighter future for Bangsamoro, I pledge Malaysia’s continued support,” Najib added.
In his speech, Pres. Aquino emphasized that there is still a lot of work ahead and that majority of Filipinos deserve a better life.
“To those who will not join us, I ask: Are you really that confident that we will have another singular opportunity like the one we have today? Do you really think that the confluence of factors such that exists today will happen again – when the Filipino people and their government are committed to redressing a historic injustice; where the international community has thrown its full support behind the achievement of peace; and when we have already fixed an electoral system that was designed to subvert the sovereign will of the people?” Aquino said.
“May this also stand as a warning to those who wish to derail our path to a final, lasting peace, those who wish to sow divisiveness for self-interest, and those who continue to wield arms to pursue their own agendas: So many people have suffered for so long; so many of our stakeholders have worked so hard to arrive at this point. 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. Those who want to test the resolve of the state will be met with a firm response based on righteousness and justice,” Aquino further added.
The president also elaborated on the importance of CAB: “The Bangsamoro shall form a perimeter of vigilance against the spread of extremism; it shall act as a bridge of moderation among the great faiths of the various constituencies in ASEAN. From this shared security, we shall enhance the era of prosperity that is dawning upon our region, and harness its energies towards creating a regime of opportunity and inclusivity where no one is left behind.”
“As the Bangsamoro matures, it shall serve as the gateway to trade, investment and cultural exchanges within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area and its environs – igniting a virtuous cycle of security, development and equitable progress for the peoples of the entire region. This is our vision for the Bangsamoro,” Aquino said.
The Bangsamoro Transition Commission is currently working on a draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
“It is a law that will have to pass my personal muster as a President pledged to do justice to all, before it is submitted to Congress. 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,” Aquino said.
After the law is drafted and passed, it will be presented to the people for ratification via a plebiscite.
The objective is to put the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in place by 2015, which will then serve as the interim Bangsamoro government until the 2016 elections.
“In this manner, the people themselves will turn the tide of strife into an era of peace and equitable progress; they themselves will prove that the democratic space is vast enough to address every Filipino’s grievances and concerns,” Aquino said.
Senate President Franklin Drilon urged his colleagues to play an active role in crafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law. “We cannot afford to err on this most sought after piece of legislation, if we truly want to secure this peace in Mindanao which we have now realized after decades of hostilities,” he said.
Meanwhile, the CAB was met with overt enthusiasm by the international community.
In a press briefing, US State Department Deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said: “The United States fully supports the ongoing peace and reconciliation process, and we encourage all parties to continue their efforts to ensure a future of peace, prosperity, and stability in the southern Philippines.”
Catherine Ashton, European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and vice president of the commission said: “The European Union, as a long-term supporter of the peace process in Mindanao, a member of the International Monitoring Team and a major development partner, will continue to lend its full support to the implementation of this agreement.”
“I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro on March 27, 2014 in Manila,” Ashton further said in a statement.
“All those who have worked so tirelessly to make today’s signing a reality can be duly proud. We commend their commitment to seeing greater peace and security, and greater future prosperity, for the people of the Bangsamoro and the whole of the Philippines,” said Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell.
“It is critical that this process receive strong support, both within the Philippines and from the international community. That is why Australia’s foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, in January committed a further $6 million (P240 million) to support the peace process over the next three years and to boost the capacity to implement the Agreement. Australia will continue to work with the Philippines in this process,” he added.
“The government of Japan welcomes this development and will continue to support the peace process for the benefit of all in the Philippines. This development marks another milestone toward a just and lasting peace in Mindanao,” said Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe, on behalf of the Japanese government and people of Japan.
According to British Ambassador Asif Ahmad, “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.”
“It is moments like these that diplomats strive for and few have the privilege of being a part of a moment of history. I applaud everyone, including colleagues from the UK who have made a contribution to peace,” he added.
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said “Canada is proud to have supported the development of the agreement through our contribution to the work of the Philippine government’s Independent Commission on Policing,” adding that ”Canada stands ready to assist.”
Prime Minister Najib believes that the CAB could server as a role model for other nations to emulate.
“It’s fitting that 40 years of conflict has now come to an end; and a beginning of a new era, which will usher in progress and justice. And finally, the Bangsamoro entity above all will come into existence… And what you have aspired for, which you could not get through violence, through conflict, you will get through peace and by working together,” Najib said.
The Malaysian Prime Minister believes that CAB and all its annexes will finally “see the promise of a better future.”
This historic moment is truly a “shared victory,” not just among Filipinos, but the global community as well.
(AJPress)
