COTABATO CITY — The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are all set for the historic signing tomorrow (Thursday) of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), with the latter sending a large delegation headed by MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim.
Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for political affairs, said on Wednesday that the government allotted 400 slots for the Front for the signing ceremony that will also be attended by representatives from the international community and local stakeholders.
“We’re given a quota of 400 people. We know that the Palace grounds could only accommodate a limited number of people,” he said, noting that many more would want to personally witness the event but cannot be taken in anymore due to the limited slots.
Jaafar said the MILF delegation will be composed of senior members of the central and provincial committees and ground commanders.
GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said on Tuesday that all is set for the CAB signing ceremony on Thursday.
“There is no turning back. Only moving decisively forward. The peace train is on track. Its design is complete. Most of its elements are in place,” she said in a press briefing in Malacanang.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said they are expecting at least 1,000 people to grace the historic CAB signing, including foreign dignitaries.
“The eyes of the world are looking at us,” she said earlier about the successful conclusion of the peace negotiations as she noted the many challenges and difficult work ahead especially in the implementation of the provisions of the agreements.
Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, the country’s first Cardinal from Mindanao, was expected to attend the CAB signing. He was personally invited by President Benigno S. Aquino III during his 75th birthday celebration last March 11 here to come to the event.
During tomorrow’s CAB signing, Jaafar also said that the MILF’s main Camp Darapanan will dazzle with activities that will be attended by thousands of members and supporters.
Similar celebratory activities related to the CAB signing will also be held in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, the core areas of the proposed Bangsamoro region, he added.
The Bangsamoro region will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which is composed of those provinces, once the Bangsamoro Basic Law is passed by Congress and ratified by the constituents in a plebiscite.
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