One year on, agreements eluding gov’t, MILF sides

ILIGAN CITY—So near, yet so far.

A year after the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forged the landmark Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), the parties are still to muster consensus on two substantive issues that form part of a comprehensive peace agreement.

But the negotiators are not only confident they are closing in on a deal, they remain upbeat the full peace pact could be hammered out before the year ends.

The FAB, which was signed on Oct. 15 last year, is a preliminary accord that provides the “overarching architecture” for the process of addressing the so-called Bangsamoro question, and defines the powers and structures of a new self-governance entity that will replace and have far greater political and economic powers than the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Decommission

It also lays down the principles, processes and mechanisms “that will shape the new relations between the central government and the Bangsamoro,” with the rebel group committing to decommission its army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines transferring, “in a phased and gradual manner, all law enforcement functions… to the police force for the Bangsamoro.”

The FAB plus four annexes on transitional modalities, wealth-sharing, power-sharing and normalization will comprise the comprehensive agreement.

The parties are now down to achieving consensus on power-sharing and normalization.

During the recent exploratory meeting in Kuala Lumpur, the parties failed to come up with an agreement on either issue. However, they said they “made substantial progress on the remaining annexes on power-sharing and normalization.”

Best formulations

“They have proceeded in exhaustive, honest discussions in order to identify the best formulations for an agreement that would respond to the aspirations of both parties,” their joint statement read.

“The remaining challenges and time constraints demand that the panels remain focused on completing the annexes following a break for Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice). Both sides have a full understanding of their responsibility as they strive toward a sustainable and inclusive solution for the benefit of all people in the Bangsamoro,” they said.

The four-day 41st exploratory talks kicked off onOct. 8. It was extended until Saturday in a bid to clinch a consensus on a power-sharing deal.

Since the talks began, the parties have had to put up with daily overtime sessions, according to a statement by chief government negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer.

Ferrer said the Eid al-Adha holiday prevented another day’s extension of the talks.