COTABATO CITY – The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed Monday a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to help ensure a peaceful and orderly historic Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) on Sept. 14.
Presidential Peace Adviser Sec. Mel Senen Sarmiento described the signing as “another milestone” in the government and the MILF’s desire for a peaceful transition to regular Bangsamoro government.
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“This is another important demonstration of our shared commitment to coordination, cooperation, and a peaceful and orderly first BARMM parliamentary elections,” Sarmiento said after witnessing the signing of the Guidelines for Mutual Understanding for Ceasefire-Related Functions for BARMM elections on Sept. 14.
The MOA involved the GPH and MILF Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), which are mechanisms under the Bangsamoro peace process.
Accompanying Sarmiento were Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, 6th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Ricky Bunayog and Police Brig. Gen. Jemuel Siason, deputy director for administration of Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
He thanked MILF chairman Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim and the members of the MILF Central Committee for the warm welcome extended to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and the government’s security sector.
Under the agreement, both the government and the MILF committed to maintaining peace and ensuring a peaceful, honest and transparent election.
The memorandum seeks to prevent misunderstandings between government forces and the MILF, strengthen coordination with election authorities, and ensure continued protection of peace while remaining politically neutral.
Sarmiento urged all peace mechanisms to fulfill their roles by supporting the democratic exercise of choosing leaders and protecting the hard-earned peace built over many years. /jpv
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