Panels hope for implementation of Bangsamoro peace deal under Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — The peace panels of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have committed to work for the full implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and are optimistic that gains in the peace process will continue under the coming Duterte administration. 

In a meeting in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, both parties signed a declaration that they said “seeks to ensure the full implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in the next administration.”

They also congratulated President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, who was officially proclaimed the winner of the presidential race on Monday. They said they are optimistic that "the roadmap provided for in the CAB will be fully accomplished" during his term.

Part of the implementation of the CAB is the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which will create an autonomous region with a parliamentary form of government. The proposed Bangsamoro region is supposed to have more autonomy than the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The 16th Congress failed to pass the BBL.

Jesus Dureza, incoming peace adviser to Duterte, welcomed the declaration.

"In my capacity as Presidential Peace Adviser-Nominee to President-Elect Rodrigo R. Duterte, allow me to welcome with positive note the forging in Malaysia of the declaration of continuity in the search for sustainable peace between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,” Dureza said in a statement read during the meeting.

"We intend to continue with the gains and build on those already done and achieved," he also said, adding Duterte will set the roadmap for the peace process once his term of office begins.

Chief government peace negotiatior Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said she is optimistic that the transition to the next administration will be smooth.

"It's very clear that [the Bangsamoro peace process] and the overall agenda to resolve all armed conflicts that have divided the country would remain a very important national agenda," she said.

Chief MILF peace negotiatior Mohagher Iqbal, for his part, welcomed Duterte's "unifying hand in securing peace and development in Mindanao."

"How relevant it is to have an incoming chief executive who we feel that not only understands the fight of the Bangsamoro but more importantly speaks for it," he also said.

According to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, Dureza and his team have already met with her office to work on the transition between administrations.