The Philippine delegation paid a courtesy visit to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Monday, 15 August 2016, in his office in Putrajaya, Malaysia after launching the implementing phase of the Bangsamoro peace accords over the weekend with the representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and other officials from the Malaysian government also in attendance.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus G. Dureza was joined by the government implementing panel, headed by Ms. Irene Santiago, with OPAPP Undersecretaries Diosita “Jojo” Andot and Nabil Tan, and Assistant Secretaries Dickson Hermoso and Rolando Asuncion as its members; and other government officials in Kuala Lumpur for the said two-day meeting.

Completing the delegation are: House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr., Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael D. Sueno, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr., House Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo C. Fariñas, Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Eduardo Malaya, and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujiv S. Hataman.

This implementing phase of the Bangsamoro peace process also marks the transition of the role of the Malaysian government as Third Party Facilitator of the successful peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF towards that of a supporter of Bangsamoro development. The said ceremony also stands as a public recognition of the significant contribution of Malaysia to the Bangsamoro peace process.