Muslim Group Lauds Government Efforts to Bring Peace in Mindanao

Manila (PNA) — The Young Moro Professional Network (YMPN) has expressed its support for government efforts to bring lasting peace to Mindanao as the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) now hangs in the balance in wake of the January 25 clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

In line with this, special mention was also given to Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles and Philippine Peace Panel head Miriam Coronel-Ferrer for all their hard work and dedication to bring this about.

“(Both are) doing better by keeping their commitment towards institutionalizing the CAB (Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro) through the BBL,” YMPN head Yamira Moner said in a message to the PNA.

The CAB was signed on March 27, 2014, concluding 17 years of negotiations between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

She also lauded Deles and Coronel-Ferrer for maintaining their calm and composure despite the negative publicity and declining popularity of the Bangsamoro peace process.

“Their efforts is a sincere way of building peace amidst the challenges brought about by the tragic Mamasapano incident,” Moner added.

The bloody Mamasapano incident stemmed from efforts to neutralize Malaysian terrorists Zulkipli bin Hir alias “Marwan” which left 44 Special Action Force members dead last Jan. 25.

Apparent lack of coordination triggered heavy fighting between withdrawing SAF men and the MILF, causing several casualties on both sides.

And should the BBL be successfully concluded, 90 percent of it would be attributed to the efforts of Deles and Coronel-Ferrer, the YMPN chief pointed out.

She also allayed fears that passage of the BBL could result in the marginalization of women in areas that would compose the Bangsamoro political entity.The FAB is a preliminary peace agreement signed in the Malacañan Palace last Oct. 15, 2012.

It calls for the creation of an autonomous political entity named Bangsamoro, replacing the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which was described by President Benigno Aquino III as “a failed experiment”.

She also emphasized that women are among the foundation of the Bangsamoro communities.

“They are the front-liners in both war and peace by taking care of their families. They should be accorded the equal protection in times of war and peace,” the YMPN chief stressed.

And due this, Moner said that it is only fitting that protection of women is to be institutionalized in the new Bangsamoro political entity.

Earlier, the National Youth Commission (NYC) also expressed its support for the BBL.

“Let real peace reign in Mindanao. Once again, the National Youth Commission reiterates its call for upholding peace at all costs in Mindanao,” NYC commissioner representing Mindanao Earl Saavedra said.

“We reiterate our hope which lies with the CAB that the peace pact would unify forces that hinder the establishment of lasting peace in Mindanao,” he added.

“We do not want war to sprout in our communities where the youth are the most vulnerable victims,” Saavedra stated.

“We rally behind peaceful means and options to signify our solidarity in spite of the cultural and religious differences.” (PNA) LAM/PFN