Gov't, MILF firm up preparations for final peace deal

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said today that they are firming up preparations for the historic signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) on March 27 in Malacanang, the presidential palace.

Government peace panel chairman Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said more than 1,000 people are expected to attend the event. Ferrer and MILF panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal will sign the agreement with Malaysian Third Party Facilitator Tengku Dato' Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed signing as witness.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles and MILF chief Al Haj Murad Ebrahim will deliver messages before attendees from various sectors and the international community.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing that the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has been invited to attend the event.

Meanwhile, Ferrer said simultaneous celebrations are being organized by different organizations in various parts of Mindanao in southern Philippines and the country's capital region, Metro Manila, to welcome the signing of the CAB.

The CAB serves as basis for the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law being done by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.

The draft law will be submitted to Congress and certified by Aquino as urgent.

The Philippine government and the MILF are currently working on the terms of reference for the different bodies that will be created as part of the normalization process.

These bodies include the Joint Normalization Committee that will oversee the programs for normalization, including the transitional security arrangements that will build on the current cooperation under the ceasefire agreement.

Ferrer said local and foreign experts will be invited to join the Independent Decommissioning Body which will manage the inventory and verification of the MILF combatants and armory.

A Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission would also be formed to study and propose programs that would address " historical grievances and heal the wounds of war."