Honoring Agreement in Islam: A Test Case for GPH-MILF Peace process

• Sep 30, 2017
• Husam Al-Deen, Luwaran
• HITS: 2363

CAMP DARAPANAN, SULTAN KUDARAT, MAGUINDANAO. (September 30, 2017) – Learned Muslims particularly Islamic Scholars are one in saying that it is incumbent upon a signatory to an agreement to fulfill its commitment to the other party. And this is true to all signed agreement between the GRP-MNLF Peace Panels, and the GPH-MILF Peace Panels. The MILF on her part will not renege on her commitment to abide with the signed agreements.

In Islam, to honor an agreement and complying with the terms agreed upon are part of moral and sacred obligation. The Noble Qur'an in Surah Al- Taubah (9:4) says, " As for those who have honored the treaty you made with them and who have not supported anyone against you: Fulfill your agreement with them to the end of their term. God loves those who are righteous."

The peace process between the government and MILF started in 1997 with the ultimate objective of resolving the age-old conflict in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro legitimate aspiration for identity, homeland, self - governance and right to self - determination.

This context will limit our article on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) which is the FINAL PEACE AGREEMENT signed between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on March 27, 2014 at Malacañang, Manila.

Under the agreement, MILF will decommission their members and hand-over their weapons to a third party, the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDP) headed by the Turkish Ambassador. In return, the government would establish a new political entity called Bangsamoro.

In can be recalled that by showing sincerity and good faith, the MILF initially decommissioned 55 high - powered and 20 crew - served weapons and 145 active MILF Members have returned to civilian life. Thus, the actuations manifest the commitment of the MILF to embrace democratic, and non - violent means to pursue its political goals in exchange for the government redesigning the Moro self - governance (ARMM) set up to embody greater political and economic powers for Bangsamoro entity.      

On the part of Government of the Philippines (GPH), she must deliver the Bangsamoro Political Entity thru the passage of Organic Act known as the Bangsamoro Basic Law which provides for the basic structure of government and " negotiated provisions " embodied in the CAB.

The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) as the " Final Peace Agreement " between the GPH and the MILF will serve as a guiding principle in the establishment of Bangsamoro government. It is now within the government who has the sole responsibility to comply her obligation under the signed agreements witnessed by the International Community to deliver the Bangsamoro Basic Law. 

Non - compliance of the terms agreed upon by the two parties is considered breach of an agreement. 

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