Peace advocates expect agreement with MILF soon

MANILA, Philippines - Various peace advocacy groups expressed optimism yesterday that a peace pact with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), aimed at ending the decades-old conflict in Mindanao, will be forged soon.

During a forum held at Camp Aguinaldo in observance of the Peace Month, various groups also expressed their commitment to pursue peace not only in Mindanao but in all parts of the country.

Asia-America Initiative, a foreign peace advocacy group, in coordination with the Norwegian embassy, sponsored the activity.

“The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) fully supports the ongoing peace talks between the government and the MILF. We are confident that a peace pact will be forged soon,” said Jolly Lais, who represented ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman in the forum held at the AFP Officers’ Club.

Lais said ordinary Muslims and other stakeholders, including indigenous peoples, are being encouraged to actively participate in the peace building efforts in Mindanao.

Lais said they are also confident that the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), the MILF’s separatist group, will be among the beneficiary of the peace agreement.

 “Unless they have an agenda outside of the peace agreement, I see no reason why the BIFM will not support the peace pact if their concern is also addressed by the peace pact,” Lais said.