NOVEMBER 1, 2019 –We have received reports that certain individuals, posing as representatives of the national government, were planning to conduct a forum on the peace process and federalism to be participated in by members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) last October 30, 2019 in Zamboanga City.
To set the record straight, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has not authorized any of these personalities and/or their organizations to carry out such an activity.
The people behind this so-called peace forum in Zamboanga City are clearly misrepresenting the Philippine Government, the OIC and the MNLF, as stated in their letter request addressed to the City Government of Zamboanga.
We therefore support the call of Zamboanga City Mayor Isabelle “Beng” Climaco-Salazar for authorities to look on this matter and prevent further misrepresentation that can create misunderstanding, confusion and unnecessary public alarm.
In parallel, we would like to clarify issues over the engagements between the Government and the MNLF, particularly with the group of MNLF Founding Chairman Nur Misauri.
Under the Peace Agenda of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the government shall continue to engage MNLF Founding Chair Nur Misuari to complete the remaining commitments under the 1996 Final Peace Agreement by virtue of the Tripartite Review Process and the Bangsamoro Coordinating Forum (BCF) with the OIC.
In compliance with our peace agenda, OPAPP recently organized the GPH-MNLF Joint Peace Coordinating Committees (JPCC) in order to have continuous dialogue, coordination and collaboration with the MNLF in maintaining lasting and enduring peace in Mindanao, particularly in troubled Island of Sulu.
We are advising some quarters, particularly those who are not privy in the dialogues, to refrain from issuing premature statements that will derail the current peace efforts of the Duterte Administration. ###
