Late EU envoy remembered for contribution to peace process

MANILA — The late European Union (EU) Ambassador Alistair MacDonald will be remembered for his “invaluable participation and contribution to the Bangsamoro peace process”, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. said on Monday.

“We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Ambassador Alistair MacDonald, a dear friend and colleague, and a staunch supporter of the Bangsamoro peace process,” Galvez said in a statement.

“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the members of his family, as well as to the Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT), during this most difficult time,” he added.

The TPMT was established in 2013 as part of the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Galvez said the TPMT, under the leadership of Ambassador Macdonald, was “instrumental” in helping the panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) sustain the high level of trust and confidence between the Parties.

Moreover, the team also helped keep the peace process as inclusive as possible, amidst the many challenges that came along the way.

Galvez also pointed out how MacDonald steered the EU to significantly contribute, as a member of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), to ensure that the Parties strictly observe the ceasefire agreement, and thereby creating a conducive environment for the peace negotiations.

Galvez, meanwhile, said his agency as well as other peace partners will be forever grateful to MacDonald for inspiring them the to pursue the goal of achieving genuine and enduring peace in the country.

“With his invaluable participation and contribution to the Bangsamoro peace process, he showed all of us how true peacebuilding should be done,” Galvez said.

“Most importantly, Ambassador MacDonald will forever be remembered for unselfishly sharing his time, exhibiting compassion and dedication to the Filipino people, especially to the Bangsamoro, whom he served with all his heart,” he added.