KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 —The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine government agreed on several measures to advance the implementation of the Bangsamoro peace agreement during a special meeting today, said MILF Peace Implementing Panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal.
The agreements included renewing the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group and the Civilian Protection Component of the International Monitoring Team, as well as approving a framework on light weapons and other types of weapons.
He said the progress made during the special meeting between the government of the Philippines (GPH) and MILF Peace Implementing Panel also helped strengthen trust and confidence between the two sides.
“Earlier, it (the atmosphere) was reserved, but after all the discussion...it was more of a cordial mood, and everybody was laughing.
“It goes to show that although we did not agree on some issues, substantially we agreed on several things and that enabled the parties really to view the engagement as a very affirmative way forward,” he said during a media conference after the meeting.
On the prospect of an Exit Agreement, Iqbal said there is no fixed timeline for its signing, as it depended on both sides fulfilling their commitments under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
“It can be soon. It can be later depending on, as I said, on the compliance of the parties. It is not time-bound,” he said.
Iqbal added that an Exit Agreement would mark the conclusion of negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF once the CAB had been substantially implemented.
“As far as the MILF is concerned, everything is settled and the formula and the key is implementing honestly and faithfully the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in all its aspects,” he said.
The special meeting followed an August 4 meeting between the Philippine government and MILF Peace Implementing Panel in Davao City, Mindanao, where both sides signed a Declaration of Continuity of the Partnership and agreed to hold the Kuala Lumpur meeting to advance the implementation of the CAB.
The Philippine government delegation was led by Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, while Iqbal headed the MILF delegation.
Malaysia's facilitator in the peace process General (R) Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin was also present.
