(Eagle News) — Malacanang welcomed the statement of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal assuring the United Nations that the separatist group remains committed to peace despite the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said that Iqbal’s pronouncements were reassuring.
Iqbal said the MILF will continue to engage in peace initiatives despite the security challenges on the ground.
“We welcome this statement and this reassurance from Chairman Iqbal,” Undersecretary Quezon said in a radio interview.
“As you know, the agreement still stands that was signed in Malacañang between the MILF and the administration, and that this remains the cornerstone for working forward.”
Quezon said that while Congress was unable to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law as the administration had hoped, the public must remember that the commitment on the part of the government persists.
He told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that he believes all sides are committed to ensuring that the progress made by both sides this far remains and becomes a durable foundation for the future.
On the issue of possible restlessness on the ground after Congress failed to pass the BBL, Quezon said it is speculative at this time that violence will spark.
“At this point, I believe it is speculative and premature and a cause for undue alarm to speculate on this,” he stressed. “What we have is a framework agreement that exists and to which the government is committed.”
“I believe that we have seen that in terms of the partners such as the MILF that they are doing their part to maintain their adherence to this and their commitment to this framework agreement.”
There will be a brief wait until a new Congress would be elected and could then return to the work on deliberating on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, he said.
Congress adjourned last week without passing key legislations such as the increase in pay of government workers, the Freedom of Information Bill and the BBL. (based from a PND report)