By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday met with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leaders at Malacañang Palace in Manila to discuss steps to achieve lasting peace in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
He met with MILF Chairperson Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim to sustain the peace efforts and advance the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
The meeting followed the historic opening of the first Bangsamoro Parliament, underscoring the importance of continued cooperation between the government and the MILF in ensuring peace and stability in the region.
In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the President is pursuing long-term peace in BARMM through dialogue, trust, and cooperation with the MILF.
Usec. Castro said the government and the MILF agreed to continue working together to address challenges in implementing the peace agreement and ensure that no commitment is left unfulfilled.
“Dahil ang tunay na kapayapaan ay hindi lamang nasusukat sa kawalan ng labanan kung hindi sa pagkakaroon ng ligtas na pamayanan, disenteng kabuhayan, pagkakaisa, tunay na pag-unlad, at pag-asang maipamana ito sa susunod na henerasyon,” she said.
“Ang naturang hakbang sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at MILF ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagtupad sa isang kasunduan, ito ay tungkol din sa pagbibigay ng maliwanag na kinabukasan sa mga pamilyang matagal nang naghahangad ng katahimikan, seguridad at pagkakataong mamuhay nang payapa,” Castro added.
During the meeting, Ebrahim reaffirmed the MILF’s commitment to continuing the peace process, ensuring the full implementation of the CAB.
Both sides also discussed programs that would improve the living conditions of the Bangsamoro communities.
Another key agenda was the completion of the fourth and final phase of the decommissioning process for MILF combatants by 2027.
The government and the MILF also committed to fulfilling their remaining obligations and signing the exit agreement before the end of President Marcos Jr.’s term.
The PCO emphasized that lasting peace in the Bangsamoro is essential to promoting unity, stability, and development in Mindanao.
It said sustained dialogue and cooperation between the government and the MILF would help create more opportunities for investments, employment, and economic growth in the region.
