ZAMBOANGA CITY – Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) on Monday praised and congratulated the negotiating panels of the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front for successfully forging the “Framework Agreement” in Malaysia.
“I urge all stakeholders to support this Agreement as it provides a very clear plan on how to achieve a final and new autonomous government by not later than 2016,” PAZ president Fr. Angel Calvo said. “I am sure that with the level of commitment shown by the Aquino government and MILF leadership, plus the active support of international groups, real peace is dawning in Mindanao.”
The interim deal recently by President Benigno Aquino indicates that a growing culture of peace and non-violence has taken root among the protagonists – rebels, military, and national and local political leaders, Fr. Calvo said.
“This deal is made sacred by the blood of the estimated 150,000 persons who have died in the course of the 40-year Bangsamoro rebellion, he noted. Let us all work to make sure that such violent conflict will never have to happen again in Mindanao,” he said.
But this pact will only bring peace, he said, if and when it will bring about true reconciliation based on social justice.
The Philippine and MILF negotiating panels will sign the Agreement in Manila on October 15, to be witnessed by President Aquino and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. (Rey Luis Banagudos)
20