MANILA, PIA – The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) remain committed to the peace process and will continue to work to strengthen mutual trust, a Palace official has said.
“What we know is that both sides continue to work on confidence-building measures and on seeing to it that an acceptable Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) may be enacted by Congress within the time frame set by the leadership of both houses,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said on Monday (March 16).
“The government remains firmly committed to establishing enduring peace, which is built on a foundation of mutual trust,” he added.
According to news reports, MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad recently said that trust between the government and the MILF has been affected by the deadly Mamasapano incident last January.
Murad also said that the President’s political capital is dwindling and there is the possibility that the BBL will not be passed on time, as a result of the incident.
Commenting on the issue on the citizenship of Murad and MILF peace panel head Mohagher Iqbal, who allegedly carry Malaysian passports, Coloma quoted a media report saying that both Murad and Iqbal have denied that they are Malaysian citizens.
(Reuters)