Video by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net
Various groups on Friday marked the first anniversary of the historic signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) through a “Peace March” at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.
CAB is a peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which culminated the 17 years of peace negotiations between the two parties and would pave the way for a Bangsamoro autonomous political entity.
READ: Bangsamoro peace pact signed
The group, composed of the National Youth Commission, Mindanao Solidarity Network, and the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) among other civil society groups, said in a unity statement that lasting peace, among others, “embodies the dreams not only of Muslims but of every Filipino.”
Photo by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net
“We reaffirm our support for the immediate resumption of the peace process, primarily by pushing for the deliberations on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which the underlying principles of social justice, human development, and the lasting peace embody the dreams not only of our Muslim brothers and sisters, but also of every Filipino,” the group said in a signed statement.
The groups urged every Filipino to stand firm “so the inclusive peace and justice shall finally be within every Filipino’s reach.”
The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law has been stalled since the deadly Mamasapano incident, which killed 67 individuals including 44 police commandos in an encounter with the MILF, the Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and private armed groups.
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