Gov't expects signing of CAB to proceed on schedule

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government expects the signing of the comprehensive agreement on Bangasamoro (CAB) by the end of the month to proceed on schedule, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said here today.

Deles said among the qualities of the current southern peace talks is the gradual decommissioning of firearms on the ground, which she described as a "true testament to the sincerity and genuine desire of the MILF to fully embrace the cause of peace," at a briefing before members of the Lina Group of Companies (LGC).

Human security, combined with additional sources of revenues under the Annex on Wealth-Sharing for social services, infrastructure development and environment management, will also help sustain peace and productivity in the Bangsamoro communities, she said.

"This is our comprehensive peace roadmap for Mindanao. As you can see, the process is very detailed, and also very, very challenging," she added. "Our roadmap is designed precisely to ensure that everything is done within the boundaries of our Constitution including its flexibilities, accompanied by broad consultations, and a very transparent, inclusive, and democratic process," Deles said.

She added that as the peace agreement brings stability, the new Bangsamoro political entity in Mindanao will also enable the country, especially Mindanao, to benefit optimally from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic integration that will start next year.

"As we prepare for the ASEAN economic integration that takes place next year," she said, "we are doing our own economic integration at the national and regional levels, with a more peaceful Mindanao emerging as our attractive gateway to global and regional trade and investments. Two of our neighbors, Indonesia and Malaysia, have among the largest Muslim constituencies in the world. Poised to achieve peaceful transformation into a viable and sustainable political and economic entity, the Bangsamoro shall be our front door to regional trade."

The Philippine government and the MILF formally signed on Oct. 15 of 2012 the framework agreement, a road map for final political settlement to end the decades-old armed struggle in southern Philippines. In January this year, the Aquino Government also signed the final annex of a comprehensive peace agreement with MILF.

Experts said the normalization annex, which was signed during the 43rd round of exploratory talks held in Kuala Lumpur, will end four decades of internecine fighting between government troops and Moro rebels in the Southern Philippines.