The Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) welcomes the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
It commends the government and the MILF negotiating panels for their hard work, creativity and perseverance in overcoming the contentious issues that have been hounding the long-drawn negotiations. It commends President Aquino and MILF chair Murad Ebrahim for their courage and political will to take this bold step toward lasting peace in Mindanao. It recognizes the facilitation of the Malaysian government and the International Contact Group (ICG), the international community, and the various security and development mechanisms which significantly contributed to building the environment for the peaceful resolution of one of the longest conflicts in Mindanao.
The framework agreement provides the roadmap for building the foundation of an inclusive, responsive and efficient infrastructure for peace and development in southern Philippines. But the road to genuine Moro autonomy and self-governance is forked, unpaved and full of bumps and turns.
Overcoming the obstacles requires, on the part of all stakeholders, an open attitude to change and a lot of sacrifices for the achievement of genuine peace, which we have so much been longing for.
IAG and its partner institutions are always present—tracking, assisting, engaging, capacitating and enabling the various “transitions” in the autonomous region. We are committed to continue our research, training and policy advocacy in Mindanao and the National Capital Region in order to contribute to a meaningful transition envisioned in the framework agreement.
—BENEDICTO BACANI,
executive director,
Institute for Autonomy & Governance,
Cotabato City, Philippines,
www.iag.org.ph