MILF hopes for Bangsamoro govt before Aquino steps down

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front hopes a Bangsamoro government can be established and seal the end to four decades of struggle for self-determination before President Benigno Aquino III steps down in 2016.

MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said the signing on Monday of the framework agreement for peace with the government would signal the start of more detailed and comprehensive discussions for a final pact.

Among the points for discussion are the areas to be added to the current coverage of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which will be replaced by an entity to be called Bangsamoro, the creation of a justice system for the new region, and the integration of qualified members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces into the Philippine National Police.

Jaafar said even critics of the peace agreement, such as Nur Misuari of the Moro National Liberation Front and Ameril Umbra Kato of the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement, would be free to seek office in the Bangsamoro government.

The MILF leadership will be leaving for Manila on Sunday along with representatives of various stakeholders who will witness the signing of the framework agreement.

It will be the first time, he said, that the leadership of the rebel organization will set foot in Malacanang. –Erel Cabatbat, News5