Completion of tripartite review of government-MNLF peace accord sought

MANILA, Philippines - The government must complete the Tripartite Review Process of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement being conducted with the Moro National Liberation Front under the auspices of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation for the past eight years to do justice to the long struggle of the Bangsamoro, according to presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Deles.

“It is high time for the Tripartite Review Process – with the government and the Bangsamoro fronts in full and active partnership – to conclude the review and proceed to the implementation of the results of the review,” she said.

Deles spoke at the start of the two-day ministerial meeting on the Tripartite Review Process among the OIC, the government and the MNLF in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from  Monday until yesterday.

“A review is time-bound,” she said. “A never-ending review means that agreements will never be implemented. It will mean endlessly looking backwards instead of moving forward.” 

Deles is confident that the OIC, government and MNLF are ready to take all necessary action to “surmount narrow, rigid interests and enter a new era of collaboration for lasting peace and progress.” 

Through the MNLF-MILF convergence of the Final Peace Agreement and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro through the Bangsamoro Bill, the MNLF would be given equitable representation in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, as well as encourage them to field candidates for the elections in the envisioned Bangsamoro region.

A Tripartite Implementation Monitoring Committee will be formed to supervise the implementation of all agreements and initiatives.

Deles thanked OIC Secretary General Iyad bin Amin Madani for personally taking steps to push the review and the two fronts’ unification through an unprecedented trip to the Philippines last year.– With Roel Pareño