Gov’t, MILF approve power sharing deal

The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed last night the annex on power sharing which will comprise the comprehensive agreement both panels aimed to achieve within President Aquino’s term.

Approval of the annex was first announced in a tweet from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

The annex, signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at the end of the 42nd formal exploratory talks, is one of four in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed by the two sides in October 2012.

Read: Annex on Power Sharing by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

Two annexes have been previously signed: one on transitional arrangements and modalities, and another on revenue generation and wealth sharing.

The OPAPP said the agreement “elaborates on the nature of the political entity” called the Bangsamoro, which will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and provides the transition mechanism.

Together, the framework document and the annexes will constitute the comprehensive agreement. The OPAPP said both sides hope to approve all the annexes within the year.

It was not clear how the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which signed a formal peace treaty with the government in 1996, will fit into the power sharing scheme.

Complaints about being excluded from the peace process with the MILF is believed to have triggered a siege of Zamboanga City in September by MNLF forces loyal to founding chieftain Nur Misuari.

In a joint statement, the government and the MILF peace panels, headed by Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Mohagher Iqbal, respectively, said the annex on power sharing embodies the parties’ agreement on the delineation and sharing of power between the central government and the Bangsamoro government within the territorial jurisdiction of the prospective Bangsamoro political entity.

“The annex (on power sharing) shall guide the Bangsamoro Transition Commission in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. It also provides principles of intergovernmental relations to ensure the harmonious partnership between and among the different levels of government,” the government and the MILF panels said.

Ferrer and Iqbal said they are confident that they would finish the annex on normalization and an addendum on the matter of Bangsamoro waters to complete the comprehensive peace agreement between the government and the MILF in January 2014.

“In the spirit of transparency and inclusivity, the parties shall continue to dialogue with and consult the various stakeholders,” they said in the statement.

Both panels committed to preserve the ceasefire and enhance the capacities of the ceasefire mechanisms in preventing hostilities and other untoward incidents. They urged the public to join the efforts to bring a just resolution to the conflict in Mindanao.

They also expressed their appreciation to the President for his commitment to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak for his continued support in the facilitation of the  peace talks, and members of the MILF Central Committee headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim for their continued commitment to the peaceful settlement of the Bangsamoro Question.

The parties thanked members of the International Contact Group, namely Japan, Republic of Turkey, the United Kingdom, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, Conciliation Resources, Muhammadiyah, and the Community of Sant’Egidio.

Ferrer and Iqbal signed the annex on power sharing in the presence of Malaysian

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the signing of the annex on power sharing by the government and MILF ensures the achievement of a genuine and viable autonomy for the Bangsamoro.

“It has been a very difficult round but we were able to overcome a lot of obstacles, showing the Parties’ shared commitment to finish and deliver on our peoples’ desire for peace,” Deles said.

Deles said the signing of the annex on power sharing is a special gift of the Season for the Filipino people and an indication of the collective hopes and dreams of the people for just and lasting peace.

Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government peace panel would hold a briefing at 12 noon today via Skype since the team led by Ferrer is still in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. â€“ Jose Rodel Clapano, Delon Porcalla