PMPI partners applaud both the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) panels on completing the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) and looks forward that final peace agreement will bring peace and development in the Mindanao region.
CAB will be signed later today at Malacanan Palace.
“It is a great and historic news that after 17 long years of negotiations between the government and the MILF, both parties are coming up a consensus to finally settle the decade-long conflict in the region which hinder development and access to basic social services for the people”, Yoly Esguerra, PMPI national coordinator, said.
Ms. Marilou Llavan, one of PMPI co-convenors, in her message during the National Coordinating Council Meeting last January 2014 expressed hopes in ending poverty in Mindanao.
“Development can only be attained if there is peace. And there is peace if the right of every person is exercised and protected. We hope that through CAB, the people in Mindanao will experience a life free from fear as they struggle to get out of poverty”, Ms. Llavan opined.
Mindanao-based partners of PMPI also shared their congratulatory remarks and high expectations with the signing of the comprehensive peace pact.
Fr. Gillarme Joy Pelino, director of Social Action Center in the Diocese of Marbel and point person of KIDMACO (Kidapawan, Marbel and Cotabato) cluster, hails the passion of both panels for championing peace in the region and urges the government to facilitate the resolution of other armed conflicts in the country in pursuing for justice and reconciliation.
Mr. Bobby Pagusara, CABUSTAM (Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Surigao, Tandag and Malaybalay) cluster point person, asserts that other social issues must be seriously addressed after the peace talks.
“While we congratulate both panels on this big leap to attain peace in Mindanao, we should not also forget to address other social issues which are root causes of conflicts in the region, such as the inequality in accessing the vast resources of Mindanao”, Mr. Pagusara emphasized.
Meanwhile, Mr. Roldan Gonzalez, one of PMPI co-convenors and point person of DOPIM (Dipolog, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Iligan and Marawi) cluster, reminds both parties the importance of people’s participation on the peace process.
ZAMBASULI (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Ipil) cluster point person Mr. Alvin Valerio calls on and encourages all stakeholders to support the peace agreement.
“The Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro is indeed a collective investment for Mindanao’s development. We call on all stakeholders to support this endeavor. The signing of peace pact is the initial task of building a more inclusive Bangsamoro and guarding the peace harnessed by our efforts”, Mr. Valerio stressed.
