MILF chief vows not to go back to war – Deles

MANILA, Philippines - Chairman Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim has made a commitment that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would not go back to war, presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Quintos-Deles told reporters yesterday.

“The government and the MILF have signed agreements and the recent decommissioning showed their sincerity in the peace talks,” she said. “The MILF is doing their part in keeping the trust to the government and now we should also do our part in the peace process.” 

Murad made the commitment to the peace process during his Eid’l Adha message.

The MILF believes that Congress would eventually pass the Bangsamoro Bill, which reflects the spirit and intentions of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB), he said.

“With the unwavering commitment of the President and his allies in the administration, coupled with the strong support of the international community, as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OlC), including the peace loving peoples of the country and the world and most of all our complete trust in the Oneness and Justness of Allah (SVW), we remain optimistic,” he said.

“The gains of the peace process are much wider and more comprehensive. What is of prime importance is the preservation and sustenance of the achievements of the struggle of the Bangsamoro people in the peace process.” 

Deles said the government will pursue the passage of the Bangsamoro Bill and will not give up on its goal to have peace in Mindanao through the Bangsamoro peace process, she added.

The government is committed to secure the enactment of the Bangsamoro Bill as soon as possible in the face of a growing serious concern among stakeholders in the   peace process over the delay in its passage, Deles said.  

“We’re not giving up,” she said. “Senators have voiced (their opinion) that they hope to finish the interpellation before Congress goes on recess this October. The timetable for its passage still exists.” 

The government and other stakeholders in the peace process are committed to see the passage of Bangsamoro Bill during the term of President Aquino as they “cannot afford to go back to square one,” Deles said.

“The time is getting really tight and if we do give up, we could say that the whole legislation is really dead,” she saids.

“So the agency continues to engage both houses of Congress in deliberating and finishing the interpellations of the proposed substitute bills.

“We all know the dynamics of Congress. We are still positive that we can pass this law before the end of this administration. This is the farthest we have ever gone in the peace process.” 

The congressional leaderships had committed to pass the Bangsamoro Bill before the Senate and House of Representatives go on recess this month prior to the filing of certificates of candidacies for next year’s elections.

However, they are still in the period of interpellations as of today because of delays in the legislative mill, mainly the lack of quorum in the House and the intense questioning by senators on the provisions of the bill during floor deliberations.

The leadership of the House and the Senate have announced that they have agreed to move the deadline for the passage of the Bangsamoro Bill to Dec. 16 this year.

In a meeting with   leading business groups and chambers on Sept.30, Deles emphasized the importance of having a candid dialogue on the status of the Bangsamoro Bill with concerned sectors of Philippine society.

“We cannot gloss over the fact that the BBL, and the Bangsamoro peace process with it, has been hit very badly in the aftermath of the Mamasapano tragedy,” she said at a forum hosted by the Makati Business Club.

“You all know that our timeline has become a moving target since February and we are now working within the narrowest window of opportunity.”

She considers the upcoming elections as posing a different threat to the passage of the bill, Deles said.

“2016 partisan interests and agenda are already out there fighting tooth and nail to claim center stage, which does not brook well for a law that is best deliberated on with an eye not so much besotted with present day, transient, parochial interests but rather training its gaze further to consider the lessons of history and the omens of prophecy,” she said.

Despite the complications, the government remains firm in its resolve that the Bangsamoro peace process and the accompanying legislative track would bear fruit for  the entire nation, Deles said.

“No, we are not giving up,” she said. “This is the prevailing sentiment for the government and the MILF panels, as well as our local and international peace partners in this historic endeavor for peace.

“We ask that you continue to accompany the peace process in ensuring that this dream will not dry up. Let us together make sure it will flourish, flower, and bear fruit —fruits that our children can enjoy in abundance, in a country that knows no war and tolerates no injustice; a country that is peaceful, harmonious and progressive; a country that has room enough for all its people and all their aspirations.”