Peaceful settlement on framework agreement and Sabah claims urged

DAVAO CITY, Mar 21 (PIA) Peace advocates supporting the peace process urged the government to pursue the peacetalks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front anchored on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and not to be distracted by the Sabah claim espoused by certain sector.

Speaking to reporters prior to the holding a peace rally supporting the government-MILF peace talks last March 21, Atty. Mary Ann  Arnado, convenor of the Mindanao People’s Caucus said the peace talks between the government and the MILF must continue especially that the peace panels of both parties are almost near the finish line, with the crafting of the contents of the FAB resuming on March 25 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

She observed that recent developments in Sabah sidetracked the peace process with the MILF.

“Regardless of the merits and demerits of the Sabah issue, let us not lose sight of our main struggle for peace in Mindanao.  Mindanaoans are the most benefitted once the talks bring a lasting peace, so must pursue the negotiations,” Arnado said.

She said the current state of the peace talks is similar to the last stretch of a marathon where the finish line can be seen and almost near.

Arnado said any attempt to disrupt and derail the talks is deplorable.

She said calls like going to war with Malaysia are not well thought of, especially that the Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy.

“The Philippines adheres to peaceful dialogue and resolution of conflicts and does not support people who stick on to violent means,” Arnado said.

She said individuals who have claims on Sabah must bring this issue to the proper forum peacefully and not to call for bloodshed in these areas.

Arnado chided groups whose agenda is to derail the talks using the Sabah claim.

She also lauded President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s stance to pursue the peace talks despite calls to focus also on the Sabah claim.

“We need to finish the framework agreement so that within Mindanao itself we can establish the kind of governance for the Bangsamoro before entertaining at looking at other areas, Arnado said.

She said while there may be historical basis for the Sabah claim, any petitioner must establish first the location of its leadership.

Arnado said claimants must not lose the opportunity offered by the framework agreement which invites them to govern themselves first as Bangsamoro instead of making claims on Sabah.

Jehan Abubakar, chair of the Muslim Youth said even with the FAB alone, peace is already felt in many areas in Mindanao.

She hoped that any effort to sabotage the talks through the Sabah claim will not derail the peace process.

“We hope that the government, MILF and the Malaysian government will keep their respective commitment to work for a negotiated settlement for the lasting peace in Mindanao,” Abubakar said. (RGA/JSD/PIA-XI)