Philippines to sign peace pact with Muslim rebels based on 'solid foundation'

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-4-10 14:58:35

The Philippine government vowed Wednesday to sign a comprehensive agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the largest Muslim rebel group in the country, based on "solid foundation."

Government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said that the Aquino administration will push for an agreement that will " withstand the scrutiny of the skeptics, the misgivings of the unconvinced, the cynicism of the critical."

"Our agenda remains clear: we solve the remaining issues across the three annexes, seek the creative compromises, and find the right language," she said as the 37th round of formal talks between the government and the MILF have been ongoing in Malaysia.

The peace panels are currently trying to hammer out the remaining annexes on wealth-sharing, power-sharing and normalization. The annex on transitional arrangements and modalities was the first to be signed in February.

MILF panel chair Mohagher Iqbal said that his group is fully committed to finish the process in order to establish real peace in Mindanao.

"Without appearing very simplistic, I think we are about to achieve this historic feat on signing the comprehensive peace agreement with the Aquino administration," Iqbal said as he related his optimism to settle the remaining issues on the annexes.

The comprehensive agreement aims to establish a Bangsamoro entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and will end the four decades armed struggle in southern Philippines.



Posted in: Asia-Pacific

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