US, Canada laud PH-MILF peace deal
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks to the American Chamber of Commerce in Manila, Philippines Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The United States (US) and Canada congratulated the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the conclusion of negotiations on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro last Saturday in Malaysia.
“The US Government congratulates the Government of the Philippines and the MILF for concluding negotiations toward a historic, comprehensive peace agreement,” Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement Tuesday.
“This agreement offers the promise of peace, security, and economic prosperity now and for future generations in Mindanao,” he said.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird also congratulated both parties and said that the signing of the agreement will be a path towards ending the decades-long conflict in Mindanao.
“This marks another step forward as both sides continue along the path toward building lasting peace, stability, development and prosperity in Mindanao following decades of conflict,” Baird said in a separate statement.
“With a foundation for peace now established, we encourage both parties to continue working in the spirit of cooperation during the implementation phase of the agreement in the months ahead,” he said.
The final annex of the Bangsamoro framework agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia focuses on the laying down of arms of both parties.
Previous annexes signed by both parties involve transitional arrangements and modalities, revenue generation and wealth sharing, and power sharing.
The Bangsamoro Framework Agreement was signed by the MILF and Philippine Government October of 2012.
The MILF has been fighting for an independent Muslim state in the Mindanao region for decades. Several other rebel groups have also launched their own secessionist movement.
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