KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA—They came to sign agreements and ended up strengthening their partnerships.

This is what happened when representatives from the Implementing Panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) flew in to this nation’s seat of power.

Dressed in crisp business suits, delegates from both parties firmly shook hands as they successfully concluded a special meeting that aimed to ensure the successful implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

Signed in March 2014, the CAB aims to address the causes of the decades-long armed conflict between the national government and the MILF.

The Philippine delegation was headed by Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza and GPH Implementing Panel Chair Nabil A. Tan, while the MILF group was led by MILF Chairman Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim and Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal.

During the meeting, the GPH and MILF panels signed four major agreements, which included the Revised Implementing Guidelines on the Joint Communiqué of 6 May 2002; Guidelines for the Operationalization of the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund (BNTF); the Terms of Reference of the GPH-MILF Joint Communications Committee; and a certification extending the mandate of the Civilian Protection Component (CPC) of the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

The agreements were signed by panel chairs Usec. Tan and Iqbal, and witnessed by Sec. Dureza and Chairman Murad with Malaysian Special Adviser Dato’ Kamarudin Bin Mustafa, as well as members of the International Contact Group (ICG) coming from Japan, Republic of Turkey, United Kingdom, and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, and Conciliation Resources.

“[Reaping the results of] peace doesn’t come overnight. We have to work hard for it,” Sec. Dureza underscored in his message before the signing of the landmark agreements that seek to sustain the gains of peace in Mindanao.

“All of these [developments] are clear signals that we’d like to move from where we are today…[to] move forward ‘piece by peace,’” he added.

The peace adviser noted that “there is already a meeting of minds” between the two peace implementing panels, a development that both parties must take full advantage off.

“Respecting each other’s dignity, respecting each other’s position, we have to work towards a convergence,” Sec. Dureza said.

For his part, Murad noted that the “all the [peace] structures are working very hard in order for this [peace] process – which took decades – to succeed.”

The MILF chairman lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for his unwavering commitment to the GPH-MILF peace process.

“The present President now has never been as committed than any other president in moving forward the peace process to address the injustices against the Bangsamoro [people],” Murad said.

Meanwhile, Usec. Tan, deputy peace adviser who was recently appointed as chairperson of the Government Peace Implementing Panel, congratulated the MILF for the successful conduct of the Bangsamoro Assembly in Simuay, Maguidanao.

“No less than the President graced the event to underscore his unwavering support to the Bangsamoro [people,” he said.

The Deputy Peace Adviser also provided updates on the status of the BBL which has already been submitted to the House of Representatives and the Senate.

According to Usec. Tan, a sub-committee was earlier formed at the Lower House led by Rep. Wilter Palma Jr. and was tasked to reconcile all versions filed. It first met last December 12, 2017 and will resume its work on January 9, 2018.

In the Senate, the sub-committee on local government tasked Sen. Miguel Zubiri to look into the two versions of the proposed bill.

The Undersecretary said the sub-committee will convene on Dec. 20 in order to listen to members of the BTC and other resource persons who will provide context to the proposed law.

“Sec. Dureza is right. The peace process has humps and bumps but we must stay the course. We are all partners here working for peace,” the undersecretary said.

On the other hand, Iqbal pointed out that the GPH and MILF panels are implementing three tracks or aspects: security related measures, the normalization process and the passage of the BBL.

He expressed his optimism that the gains of the peace process will soon be realized.

“It has been a long peace journey and although we can see the light flickering at the end of the tunnel, but it can be near or far, still I hope it is near,” MILF panel chair said.

Also during the meeting, GPH and MILF implementing panels expressed their condolences for the passing of MILF panel member Haji Mahmour Estino, and made the formal announcement of the appointment of Mr. Jun Mantawil as new panel member.

Meanwhile, both parties welcomed the assumption of Usec. Tan and Usec. Ronald I. Flores as chairperson and member of the GPH Implementing Panel respectively.

The parties likewise expressed their appreciation to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak for supporting the GPH-MILF peace process. ###