Noy to Asean leaders: Keep supporting Phl peace efforts

NAY PYI TAW – President Aquino yesterday urged fellow ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) leaders to continue supporting the Philippines’ peace and development efforts in Mindanao.

Aquino also thanked ASEAN countries that played important roles in the sealing of the peace pact with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The peace accord is expected to benefit the entire region.

In his opening statement, ASEAN Chairman and Myanmar President Thein Sein hailed the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and described it as a great achievement.

Sein said the signing of the CAB was one of the positive developments in the world, as he congratulated the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and the other ASEAN member-states for their contributions that resulted in the signing of the agreement.

Sein said all ASEAN member-states should support efforts to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.

Aquino said leaders must remember that efforts should not end with the cessation of hostilities and the signing of agreements, whether in the Philippines’ own experience or in the wider pursuit of peace and resolution of conflicts.

“Peace is built every day, through all of our individual actions. This redounds to an ever-strengthening foundation on which the stability of our nations and the full development of our peoples can be realized,” Aquino said during the ASEAN summit plenary at the Myanmar International Convention Center.

He said leaders must be concerned with the recovery and rehabilitation of survivors of conflicts, particularly mothers and children who are most vulnerable.

He cited the experience of MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, his family and companions who had to isolate their loved ones to protect them from the conflict.

Aquino described Murad as a firm partner in the pursuit of peace.

“The signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (in 2012) was the first such occasion that Chairman Murad’s wife had ever visited Metro Manila. Both of them had witnessed many years of conflict,” he said.

The President said in times of conflict, the paramount human interest has always been to keep families alive and healthy.

“For leaders like ourselves, the paramount interest is very similar – to minimize, or even prevent, loss of life and casualty, to ensure that communities remain whole, and that development is sustained,” he added.

Aquino reiterated what he said during the signing of the CAB on March 27 in Manila – that they must be committed in giving survivors of conflict a boost in order for them to cope.

He expressed hope the peace accord with the MILF would serve as a model for other ASEAN countries that are faced with similar problems with separatists groups.

“As peace in the Bangsamoro lays the foundations of stability, inclusivity and progress in Mindanao, more doors of opportunity are opened – for the people of Mindanao, for the entire Philippines, and for partners and friends who wish to contribute to development,” Aquino added.

The President said the success of the peace process has contributed to ASEAN’s growing experience and best practices in the promotion of a culture of peace and respect for diversity.

“Included in our work to establish a strong, stable and peaceful ASEAN community is the task of building on the values and best practices of our institutions in addressing intra-, inter- and regional conflicts.”

He thanked Malaysia for facilitating the peace process between the Philippine government and the MILF, as well as Brunei and Indonesia for serving as members of the International Monitoring Team.

Aquino emphasized that the Philippines is strongly advocating a more proactive approach toward the pursuit of peace, freedom and stability.