The leaders of the civil society organizations (CSOs) in Mindanao visited the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last 25 July 2013 in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. We were received by Chairman Murad Ebrahim Al Haj and some members of the MILF Central Committee.
The CSO leaders opened the dialogue with a congratulatory message for the breakthrough agreement on the Wealth Sharing Annex of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). The said agreement was signed by both panels of the MILF and the Government of the Philippines (GPH) before midnight of 13 July 2013.
Murad’s welcome statement was very inspiring for CSOs and other peacebuilding volunteers. He said: “We are very thankful for the civil society groups… who have been very active… in the ground during the peace process. You are also very active in monitoring and trying to push the process to move forward.”
When asked what facilitated the breakthrough, the chairman said: “While they were discussing there, we were also discussing here.” He was referring to the real time consultation between the MILF Peace Panel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the MILF Central Committee in their own board room inside Camp Darapanan.
Murad was also asked if MILF would welcome a CSO delegation in KL. He said that “as far as the MILF is concerned, there would be no problem.” The CSO leaders would have to write a formal letter to both parties and they, along with the Malaysian facilitator, would consider the request.
The dialogue also touched on the urgency of this peace process and the looming deadlines to meet before the term of President Noynoy Aquino. We asked him: “How soon after the Ramadan can you set the next round of talks?” His answer:
He also suggested that the CSOs may want to start an awareness campaign in Congress and other sectors of the Philippines society to inform and educate the people about the road map to the establishment of the Bangsamoro government.
We, PBCI, will continue to be critically optimistic in this journey of peace between the GPH and the MILF through the lens of justice. Please continue praying for peace between the Bangsamoro and the rest of the people in the Philippines.
1 comments
Dear Peace Partners:
Greetings of Peace and Loved!
I wish to access your advocacy in transforming communities …
With this, Let us develop our cooperation,coordination and strengthenin partnership to move forward with engage our leaders as agent of change for peace and development on educational transformation program..
Thanks
Imam Akmad B. Wahab,Alhaj
Executive Director,Bangsamoro Religious coordinating Council
Manila,Phils
Mobile No.+639058688365/email: mads_wahab@yahoo.com.ph