Malacañang decries rumours about collapse of gov’t-MILF talks

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. (Photo by Robert Viñas/Rodolfo Manabat/Malacanang Photo Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. yesterday urged the public not to spread baseless rumours about the peace treaty between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); referring to unfounded reports that talks on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law are on the brink of failure.

Coloma assured that there is no truth to these rumours, and emphasized that both sides are still exerting persistent efforts to come up with a mutually acceptable draft.

He clarified that the provisions of the draft would neither be radical, nor in violation of the Constitution; adding that these would likewise not require Charter change.

Coloma admonished the people not to sow doubt at this time, especially because there are still obstacles to overcome in order to bring long-awaited peace to Mindanao.

He noted that government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said that both the government and the MILF would strive to come up with an acceptable draft.

When queried as to whether there would be a need to modify the Constitution to cater to the demands of the MILF, Coloma said both sides were working towards reaching common ground and were not focusing on areas that both sides deem unacceptable.

The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro was signed in March of this year, with the aim of bringing the drawn-out violence and armed conflict in Mindanao to an end.

A draft bill of the Bangsamoro Basic Law is now in the works, with the provisions being smoothed out before it is handed over to Congress.