Peace deal with MILF to benefit all: gov't

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government today urged the former Muslim secessionist group to seriously look into the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) as this will benefit all the stakeholders in southern island of Mindanao.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda made the call following the threat of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the former rebel group founded by Nur Misuari, to declare independence from the Philippine government.

"We ask all people, all Bangsamoro to take a look at the Bangsamoro framework agreement...we ask MNLF to seriously look into this -- seriously look into this agreement, not as MNLF but as Bangsamoro, and it includes everyone," he said in a news briefing.

The FAB signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a breakaway group of the MNLF and the largest Muslim rebel group in the country, last October is a road map for the creation of a Bangsamoro government that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and will pave the way to end the four-decade armed struggle in Mindanao.

Lacierda said that the FAB is a major improvement over the organic act of the ARMM.

"And, therefore, what we will come up with -- the framework agreement, as well as the annexes -- will redound ultimately to peace and development in Muslim Mindanao," he said.

Misuari's group, which forged a final peace agreement with the government in 1996, has been opposing the FAB.

Lacierda said that it would be saddening if Misuari's faction of MNLF would continue with its threat to disrupt efforts to finally bring peace in Mindanao.