“The youth is the future of the Bangsamoro”

• Oct 19, 2017
• Hafsa Arab, Luwaran
• HITS: 2138

MILF Peace Implementing Panel Head Secretariat Jun Mantawil delivered a lecture on The Peace Agreements and Updates on the Peace Process to the participants of the Bangsamoro Youth Leadership Training at Bay Plaza Hotel, Pagadian City on October 17, 2017 stressing that they are the future of the Bangsamoro.

He emphasized that Bangsamoro youth need to assume the responsibilities of continuing the Bangsamoro struggle in the future and to continue “what has already been started by our leaders.”

Mantawil added,  “The agreements are already in place and the political and democratic struggle is still ahead of us.” 

He explained the contents of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the annexes on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, Power Sharing, Wealth Sharing, and Normalization, as well as the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). 

Mantawil also enlightened the participants on the current status of the peace process. “We are now on the implementation stage and negotiation is already finished”, he said.

The resource person informed the participants that the terms of reference of the Peace Implementation Panels, formerly the Peace Negotiation Panels, were already agreed by both parties. 

He briefly discussed the implementation process from the political aspect of the struggle which includes the creation of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) and drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the submission of the BBL to the Congress and its enactment, up to the ratification or plebiscite for the proposed measure. 

Currently, the BBL is already in Congress and sponsored by no less than the Speaker of the House, the majority floor leader, and many others.

Mantawil also delved on the Normalization process including the creation of a Joint Normalization Committee that will oversee its implementation. He also elaborated on the process of decommissioning and the creation of the Bangsamoro Police Force.

He also tackled the Economic Aspect of the Implementation Process and briefly talked on the development of a Bangsamoro Development Plan and the proposed establishment of a Normalization Trust Fund, Special Economic Development Fund, and Block Grants for the Bangsamoro.

“These funds will be used in the rehabilitation and development of the Bangsamoro,” Mantawil explained.

In his explanation on the Security Aspect of the Implementation Process, Mantawil clarified that the implementation of the decommissioning process will be based on the progress of the implementation of the BBL. 

A Joint Peace and Security Team will also be created composed of military forces from both sides. This team will serve as interim until the establishment of the Bangsamoro Police.

As parting words, he reminded the participants that the real objective of the struggle is to achieve Bangsamoros’ right to self-determination. He expressed his hope for a Bangsamoro Basic Law that will give a true political autonomy for the Moro people.

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