MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / May 11, 2014) – President Benigno Aquino has trumpeted in Myanmar the Philippine peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to other leaders of the ASEAN countries dealing with problems with separatists groups.
He also shared with them the success story that led to the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro hoping that it will serve as a model to them.
Aquino stressed that the recent CAB signing motivates the Philippines to share insights on peace, conflict resolution, and reconciliation with ASEAN neighbors.
“The Philippines hopes that the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro adds to the body of experience that can inform conflict-resolution practices in ASEAN moving forward. Peace in any part of the world redounds to the benefit of all. 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,” he said.
He also noted that the success of the peace process thus far contributes 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. Peace is a fundamental concern of all nations; sharing best practices then allows us to address problems and challenges more comprehensively,” Aquino said.
Aquino took the opportunity to express gratitude to fellow ASEAN countries who played important roles in sealing a peace pact with the MILF in March.
He thanked Malaysia for brokering the negotiations between the Philippines and the MILF; as well as Brunei and Indonesia, for their roles as members of the International Monitoring Team.
In his statement, Aquino stressed the hardships of civilians in times of conflict and even recounted the experience of MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim and his family.
“The signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro was the first such occasion that Chairman Murad’s wife had ever visited our capital, Manila. Both of them had witnessed many years of conflict—years during which Chairman Murad and his companions had to isolate their loved ones in special communities to protect them from the ravages of conflict,” he said.
“In these situations, whether for those engaged in conflict or others, 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, and to ensure that communities remain whole, and that development is sustained,” he added.
Myanmar President U Thein Sein lauded the Philippines for the successful signing of the CAB saying that the peace deal was a great achievement.
He likewise congratulated Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, as well as the other ASEAN member states that contributed towards the CAB signing, adding the ASEAN nations extended full support for the Philippines’ efforts to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.
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