GPH-MILF peace talks hailed by Malaysian scholar

SULTAN KUDARAT – A former Malaysian facilitator for the Bangsamoro peace process described the negotiations between the Philippine Government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as "one of the most inclusive negotiations" in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The lessons on the Bangsamoro peace negotiations from the perspective of the late Dato' Tengku Ab Ghafar Bin Tengku Muhammad are now compiled in a book that was launched at the headquarters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Camp Darapanan here August 19.

The book, “Beyond The Peace Table: Reflections on the GPH-MILF Peace Process,” contains the speeches and statements of Tengku, who served in the GPH-MILF in different capacities since 2000.

In his paper titled "Closing Reflections," Tengku said the GPH-MILF peace process was "one of the most inclusive negotiations that has ever been attempted in ASEAN's history."

He said "for the first time" the Bangsamoro negotiations was not confined to the parties and the facilitator.

"The peace process structure and engagement reflected the complexities on the ground by incorporating multilayered involvement with a variety of stakeholders and constituencies," Tengku said.

"This has set precedent for future peace negotiations that may take place in other parts of ASEAN involving both state and non-state actors. The process brought into consideration a wide range of consultations and participation of people in the affected areas as well as a wider spectrum of the stakeholders both at the national and international levels," Tengku said.

Under his watch, two important documents of the negotiations were signed by the parties - the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.