Marcos appoints Mel Sarmiento as gov't peace panel chair for Bangsamoro

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has appointed Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Mel Senen Sarmiento as chairperson of the government’s panel for the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced Sarmiento’s appointment during a Malacañang press briefing on Wednesday.

In a statement issued following his appointment, Sarmiento thanked Marcos for his trust and confidence.

“Today, I humbly accept my appointment as the Chairperson of the Government Peace Implementing Panel for the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF),” he said.

He said serving in both capacities would help ensure closer coordination in advancing the Bangsamoro peace process.

“Serving as the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity while concurrently leading the government’s peace panel is indeed a big challenge, but it provides a seamless alignment. These roles will complement one another as we accelerate our collective quest to advance the Bangsamoro peace process,” he added.

According to Sarmiento, the President has directed the administration to intensify the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

“The President’s guidance is crystal clear: the Marcos administration will double its efforts in implementing the landmark and historic Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. We remain unyielding in our commitments to the milestones achieved with the MILF,” he said.

Sarmiento also said he looks forward to working with the MILF to complete the remaining commitments under the peace agreement.

“I look forward to working closely and constructively with my counterparts in the MILF to ensure a productive, collaborative, transparent, and time-bound implementation of the remaining commitments of the CAB,” he said.

He also appealed for the continued support of the Bangsamoro people and the government’s local and international peace partners in pursuing what he described as a lasting and inclusive peace under the Bagong Pilipinas program. —AOL, GMA News