Envoys from at least 24 countries last Thursday, October 15 signed a declaration stating their support for the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which would hopefully bring long and lasting peace in southern Philippines.
At the sidelines of the signing, British ambassador to Manila Asif Ahmad said that peace in Mindanao is a fundamental concern for the international community.
The current peace process in Mindanao is not just a national issue, but also, an international concern.
The statement issued today includes a call on all stakeholders to remain engaged in bringing fruition to the comprehensive agreement on Bangsamoro, particularly the formation of an “effective and inclusive, devolved administration” within its framework.
In line with this, the signatories recognized the importance of “long-established institutional safeguard measures to monitor and resolve disputes.”
Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Philippines
With “a stake in the Philippines not just as committed friends and development partners, but as investors and members of the community”, the participating diplomats stated as their goal the emergence of the Philippines as a nation at peace within itself.
The statement was issued by a total of 24 embassies. (Eagle News Correspondent Justine San Pedro)