Malacañan Palace
15 October 2012

 

President Benigno S. Aquino III and visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak witnessed the historic signing of the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro that is envisioned to seal a genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao.

“In full view of the Filipino people, and witnessed even by our friends from different parts of the world, we commit to peace,” President Aquino said in his message. The signing of the Framework Agreement was done by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal, Government of the Philippines (GPH) Panel Chairman Marvic M.V.F. Leonen and Malaysian Facilitator Dato’ Tengku Abdul Ghafar Tengku Mohamed.

MILF Chairman Murad Al Haj Ibrahim was among those who filled up the Rizal Hall to witness the signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement. This is his first time to step on the grounds of Malacañan Palace.

“I first had the opportunity to interact with Chairman Murad in Japan, in August of 2011. Back then, some commentators expressed concern; I was criticized for supposedly demeaning the Presidency by meeting with a rebel group. But I approached the meeting with Chairman Murad as a fellow Filipino; not as combatants with opposing views, but as fellow victims of a non-responsive system which has so often driven our people towards bloodshed and suffering. We looked at each other as brothers, responsible and committed to the attainment of the aspirations of our people. This mindset, I am certain, percolated throughout the negotiating process and our respective panels. We now all share in the triumph of this Framework Agreement,” President Aquino emphasized.

For his part, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak underscored his country’s readiness to be a partner for peace and stands with the Philippines to make this work. He believes that the Framework Agreement does not solve all conflicts but sets the parameters for which lasting peace can be found and restores dignity to the people of Mindanao. “After four decades, peace is within reach and let us grasp it with both hands,” the Prime Minister stated.

President Aquino announced that his government is committed to giving the Bangsamoro region its rightful share by allotting P8.59 billion for the Transition Investment Support Plan on top of the P12.93 billion already allocated through the budget.

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