‘Substantial progress’ reported in gov’t-MILF talks

MANILA, Philippines - The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels have achieved “substantial progress” in the annexes on power sharing and normalization to the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB).

They have agreed to hold 10-day formal talks next month to wind up discussions on power sharing and normalization parameters for a final peace agreement.

The FAB is to become the basis for the crafting of an enabling law for the creation of a new MILF-led Bangsamoro political entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Government peace panel chairman Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the parties worked towards the resolution of some of the most crucial issues.

The parties discussed the composition of the Independent Commission on Policing (ICP) and the possibility of convening it in the next round of formal talks, she added.

The ICP will be tasked to submit recommendations to the peace panels on the appropriate form, structures and relationships of the police force for the envisioned Bangsamoro region.

In a statement posted on the website luwaran.com, the MILF said it had insisted on upholding the asymmetrical relations in the discussion on power sharing.

An asymmetrical relationship means that an autonomous region is different from local governments.

MILF panel member Maulana Alonto said anything that diminishes the asymmetrical relationship of the Bangsamoro region with the central government is unacceptable. – With Alexis Romero, John Unson