MNLF urged to help craft new law for Bangsamoro

MANILA, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has urged the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to help craft a law for the establishment of a Bangsamoro government.

In an editorial posted on the website luwaran.com, the MILF said the good provisions of the 1996 peace agreement between the government and MNLF should be part of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“What should be done now is for the MNLF and MILF leaders to work together to pluck out what are good in the GRP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement in 1996 and incorporate them into the Bangsamoro Basic Law,” read the editorial.

“The only real and desirable thing now is that we produce the best BBL for the future Bangsamoro government. This law is not for the MILF; it is for our people as a whole.” 

The MILF said the MNLF should disregard notions that only one person or group can solve the Bangsamoro issue.

“We appeal to our brothers from the Moro National Liberation Front to come to grips with reality that during the current Aquino administration, the only viable and pursued peace track is the one with the MILF,” read the editorial.

The MNLF sought to create an Islamic state in the south and signed the Tripoli deal with the government in 1976, leading to the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 1996.

MNLF members dissatisfied with the agreement broke away and formed the MILF.

Last year, the government and the MILF signed a framework agreement for the creation of a Bangsamoro region to replace the ARMM.

It will cover Isabela City in Basilan, Cotabato City, six towns in Lanao del Norte, and some areas in North Cotabato, and the ARMM provinces of Basilan, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

MNLF founder Nur Misuari said the framework violates the 1976 Tripoli Agreement, the Jeddah Accord, and the 1996 final peace agreement.  

The government and the MILF have also signed the transitional arrangements, as well as the annexes on wealth and power-sharing.

They will soon discuss matters on Bangsamoro waters, the annex on normalization and the final peace deal. 

The military is ready to pull out large number of troops in areas to be included in the proposed Bangsamoro region once the government and the MILF sign the normalization annex of the comprehensive peace agreement.

Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the pullout will be done gradually.

“In the general plan there are plans for pullout, but not at this time because we are still in the transition period,” he said.

Guerrero said the number of troops to be pulled out would depend on the transition period.

In peaceful areas, troops need not be stationed as the police can provide law enforcement and security, he added.

The government and the MILF are scheduled to resume exploratory talks within this month and are expected to sign the normalization annex for the demobilization of MILF forces.

Government peace panel chairman Miriam Coronel-Ferrer met with Guerrerro and the military commanders under the Westmincom to brief them on the peace negotiations.

Norway to stay as peace broker

Visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Brøge Brende said yesterday Norway will continue to broker  peace   between the government and communist rebels.

In a meeting yesterday, Brende and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario discussed Norway’s participation as third-party facilitator in the government’s peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF). 

Speaking to reporters, Brende said: “We’re committed to continue as facilitator in these different processes... as long as this is the interest of the government of the Philippines, and there’s interest to find solutions to this ongoing conflict.”  Norway will help find solutions to ongoing conflicts in the country, he added.

Norway is also a member of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in the Mindanao Peace Process. 

Before meeting with President Aquino yesterday, Brende said Norway supports the resumption of peace talks between the government and the NDF.   

“I think the presidency of Aquino is here for several years and we’re looking into the opportunities to resume talks in the future,” he said.  “I think we’ll also have the chance to catch on future opportunities in resuming the talks with the communist movement in the months to come.”  

Norway’s current role as third country facilitator in peace talks with the NDF and in the IMT in Mindanao was also discussed during a meeting between Brende and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles.

Talks between the NDF and the government have stalled since 2011 due to disagreements over the release of several jailed communist leaders. – Alexis Romero, Pia Lee-Brago, Roel Pareño, AP