ARMM chief execs consulted on GRP-MNLF tripartite review, RA 9054 amendments

Tagaytay City, Nov. 5 – The government on Thursday sought the inputs and recommendations of local chief executives of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to address the issues regarding the ongoing tripartite review on the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and proposed amendments to the Republic Act 9054.

In her message during the one-day session at the Taal Vista Hotel here, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said that it is important to consult the broader constituencies of the ARMM, as represented by their elected officials, to find ways in moving the peace tracks forward.

“We were informed that there have been three tracks that were agreed upon. We would continue the process that has been already started in the past,” she told the local chief executives.

Deles said the three tracks include: amendatory bill on the RA 9054; implementation of the agreement to set up the Bangsamoro Development Assistance Fund (BDAF); and the tripartite monitoring of the implementation of the GRP-MNLF agreement.

“Among these three, the most urgent is the first one, which is providing for an amendatory bill on the RA 9054,” she stressed.

The RA 9054 was passed in 2001 for the expansion of the ARMM to include areas which initially rejected inclusion.

“We would certainly need to get inputs and feedback from you until such process. Definitely we will want your counterpart on the representatives. And we hope that whatever is filed they will have to champion. We will need that to get on board,” she added.

Regional Governor Ansaruddin Adiong, in his speech, stated that the regional government is more than willing to become an instrument to move these processes.

“We are aware that there are still several important issues on the implementation of the 14-year-old peace pact, and that the earlier the resolutions of these issues, the better it would be to all parties in interest,” he said.

“So long as rights and legitimate interests are respected and honored, we are even supportive of an amendatory bill if only to provide a legal framework that can totally incorporate the letter and spirit of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement,” Adiong added.

Also present in the consultation were Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar, Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali, Marawi City Administrator Jubaer Macaumbos, representing Marawi City Mayor Fahad Salic; former Deputy Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Nabil Tan; GRP Panel member for Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) talks Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, among others.