No one uttered the phrase “peace in our time”. But both the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are optimistic about coming to an accord and thus ending a three-decade old war in Mindanao.

 

Government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen on Tuesday said that the Philippines and the MILF are now at the “door of an agreement”. 

 

“This administration is prepared to fully invest in a harmonious working relationship between the National Government and the new autonomous political entity (NPE) to enable an autonomy that is truly viable and workable," said Leonen during the 29th Formal Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.

 

MILF panel chair Mohagher Iqbal echoed Leonen’s sentiments and said that the “momentum for a peace settlement is at hand.”

 

He cited Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles’ presence during the recently concluded Bangsamoro Leaders’ Assembly as something that “speaks well of the future of the peace talks.”

 

The assembly is considered by the government to be the biggest public consultation with the MILF to date, and listed it as one of the recent working arrangements with the rebel group that can serve as a framework for future peace dealings.

 

New autonomous political entity

 

Early this month, the government had said talks with the MILF are in the final stretch, and that it is ready to sign a peace agreement this year with the rebel group. 

 

Leonen said the current arrangements between the two parties can be enhanced to “make it possible for meaningful autonomy to exist.”

 

“This administration is prepared to fully invest in a harmonious working relationship between the National Government and the new autonomous political entity (NPE) to enable an autonomy that is truly viable and workable,” he said.

 

The NPE was among the provisions both the government and the MILF agreed to on April 24.

 

“Never again should it be possible for rights or powers granted under any law or norm be rendered inutile without corresponding increase in the ability of the autonomous government to mobilize and/or capacitate leaders who will not only have the competence to govern but who will also approach leadership as positions of trust and stewardship,” said Leonen.

 

However, he clarified that when the NPE is established, the national government will, initially, still invest or transfer funds to the entity.

 

“Eventually, there will be the ability of the NPE to generate its own sources of revenues,” he said.

 

Malaysia

 

Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato Ab’ Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, meanwhile, reiterated his country’s commitment to the peace process.

 

“We pray that the elusive lasting peace will one day emerge from this table,” he said. 

 

Malaysia is the facilitator and head of the International Monitoring Team, an international body that monitors the developments, agreements and problems between the government and the MILF. — DVM, GMA News