PNoy to give national address on Bangsamoro

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III will address the nation today as the country marks the anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

An advisory sent to Palace reporters said Aquino will address the nation on the CAB at 2 p.m.

The CAB is the final peace agreement signed between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in March 27, 2014, concluding the over 17 years of negotiations.

The peace pact resulted in the creation of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which will serve as the enabling law for the proposed political entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Aquino is expected to renew his call for the passage of the BBL after the Mamasapano incident put the Bangsamoro peace process in peril.

On January 25, Special Action Force troopers clashed with members of the MILF and its breakaway group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The encounter resulted in the death of 44 policemen, 18 rebels and five civilians.