Dureza vows gov’t. to fulfill commitments to FAB and CAB signed with MILF

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza vowed Tuesday the government is duty- bound to fulfill its commitments to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB ) signed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) by implementating the components of the agreements. (Photo: Jesus Jess Dureza/Facebook)

MANILA—Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza vowed Tuesday the government is duty- bound to fulfill its commitments to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB ) signed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) by implementating the components of the agreements.

Speaking before officers and members of the Philippine Army on Tuesday, Dureza said the government panel expects the 21-member Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) to start soon the crucial work of drafting the new Bangsamoro enabling law.

“By expanding the BTC’s membership, we stay true to the principle of inclusivity by allowing varying voices in Mindanao to have a say in shaping the new enabling law. A separate panel has also been constituted to engage with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Nur Misuari; thereby, ensuring that the commitments under the Final Peace Agreement with the MNLF shall not be left behind,” Dureza said.

“At the same time, emphasis should also be directed to what we refer to as the ‘bigger peace table of the Filipino people. This is the table that comprised the people who we do not engage in the negotiating table, but must equally partake in the process,” he added.

According to Dureza, these are the communities who feel both the terrors of armed conflicts and the benefits of peace dividends. “By providing space for people’s participation, we are bringing our peace and security issues into national consciousness.”

He said by creating open spaces, “we are laying the foundation for building grassroots support for peace building—a peace process which will be truly reflective on the true will of our people.”

On these two instances, he stressed that they encourage the active role of government security forces. “Through these processes, they live up to our aspirations on making a peaceful, developed and progressive country.”

He pointed out that it is only under the administration of President Duterte that reciprocity of views for active people’s participation and putting development as cores in respective efforts are both promising and challenging.

“Enabling peace is a lengthy and laborious process—in fact, as I have said, it is a work of a lifetime. Given its extent, a lot of determination, perseverance, endurance, dedication, and responsibility must be put together to realize it. Notwithstanding the usual challenges and hurdles we will be confronting, whatever situation we will dealing with in the days to come,” he noted,

“I ask the Philippine Army to stay the course with us. Let us make peace work. There is no other option but peace,” he concluded.