Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The peace framework agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine Government was a historical change from their decades-long conflict that has kept the region from developing, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said.
“The moment the leadership and representatives of the MILF set foot in Malacañang, history is made. That alone symbolizes a sea-change in how both sides now regard each other,” Pimentel said in a statement released Monday, the day of the signing of the agreement.
“Now that both sides have agreed on a common roadmap, the hardest part is over,” he added.
Pimentel, however, pointed out that Congress will still have a lot of work to do to create the Bangsamoro Basic Law and to pass it in Congress.
The peace framework agreement calls of the creation of the Bangsamoro region that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It also involves the gradual disarmament of the 12,000-strong MILF until 2016.
The MILF has been fighting the government since the 1980s. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives with millions more displaced ever since. The violence has hampered socio-economic development in the region as well.
Pimentel, who is from Cagayan de Oro, also echoed the calls of many civil society groups and peace advocates to “give peace a chance”.
“Given the resistance of some quarters to the peace agreement, it is but appropriate that we ask all Filipinos to give peace a chance,” he said.
Pimentel also said that as chairman of the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation he will welcome the MILF’s intention of becoming a political party.
“The ultimate mandate is one obtained through democratic means, through the ballot, with the full support of their constituency,” he said.
Pimentel described the signing as “a rare, historic event that would benefit all Filipinos, not just the people of Mindanao.”