Gov't vows to sustain Mindanao peace process

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government reaffirmed its commitment to sustain the peace process in southern Muslim Mindanao region as the country joins the Muslim community in celebrating Eid'l Fitr, the end of the Holy Month of Ramadhan.

In his message on the occasion of Eid'l Fitr, President Benigno Aquino III said, "the recent signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro proved that, even through all the conflicts that we have endured, we remain one nation bounded by a common dream: A new era of peace that will redound to the upliftment of the lives of our kababayans."

He urged everyone to help sustain the gains of positive reform and to be steadfast stewards of unity and development.

Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles appealed to the public to continue to support the peace process in spite of the snags in the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

"There are difficulties that lie ahead and I am sure that there will indeed be many more but let us not lose hope. Keep the faith and work with us in bringing to fruition real peace and development in the Bangsamoro," Deles said.

In a separate message to mark the occasion, Deles said, "this year, we welcomed Ramadhan with much progress and high hopes of the Filipino people in the Mindanao peace process."

The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), signed on March 27, received acclaim from various stakeholders in the country and also abroad as it concludes 17 years of peace negotiations and the decades-old armed conflict, she added.

Deles hoped that the Eid'l Fitr would lead to a more resolve to end the conflict in Mindanao and to continue to pursue with trust the straight path to peace.

She urged Filipino people to work together and support the peace efforts toward the realization of the Bangsamoro which she said is anchored on a collective dream of shared prosperity, peace and good governance.