13 August 2016•Update: 14 August 2016
By P Prem Kumar and Roy Ramos
KUALA LUMPUR/ZAMBOANGA, the Philippines
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has lauded the formal relaunch of a peace deal between the Philippines government and the country's largest Moro rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), as new talks between the parties kick off in Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur Saturday.
The talks -- the first formal meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration between the Philippine government and the MILF -- come on the back of Duterte winning the presidency on a platform of correcting historical injustices committed against the Moros in Mindanao.
He has vowed to implement all signed peace agreements in his country.
Razak said in a statement Saturday that Malaysia is proud to host the first day of a two-day meeting under the leadership of the new president to relaunch the Implementing Phase of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
"The peaceful resolution of a decades-long conflict that has cost the lives of tens of thousands is a historical achievement, and Malaysia has been proud to facilitate the negotiations that have contributed to delivering greater safety and stability in Mindanao, the Philippines and the region," he said.
Razak stated that Malaysia would remain committed to the process for as long as is desired to conclude the peace deal.
"We respect the sovereignty of other countries and consider foreign interference in the domestic affairs of others to be wrong. However, when requested by the government of a friend and neighbour, we are happy to provide all possible assistance," he underlined.
Earlier Saturday, a member of the Philippines delegation -- the leader of the of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) -- reaffirmed his commitment to the process.
“We believe that with the optimism that comes with this new chapter in the peace process, it is important to take note of our gains and build on those milestones we have achieved,” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said in a statement.
He pledged support for the programs and initiatives that are part and parcel of the negotiating panels' efforts.
“The mutual trust and respect that is now apparent among the stakeholders of the government-MILF peace process was built through engaging in dialogue with open hearts and minds,” Hataman, who was re-elected ARMM governor May 9, said.
He expressed hope that the same spirit of goodwill and cooperation will continue to guide not only the panel, but all those who have a stake in the future of the Bangsamoro.
The ten-member "implementing" panel is reported to be made up of five members from each side.
On March 27, 2014, the government and the MILF signed the CAB after 17 years of negotiations.
The agreement would have been sealed by the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which was supposed to have paved the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro, a new autonomous political entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The law, however, stalled in Congress earlier this year, as it adjourned for campaigning for the May 9 polls won by Duterte.
In a statement Friday, Dureza vowed to do "our best to achieve certain milestones", and said he hopes a new version of the BBL can be agreed upon quickly while the national government is working toward federalism.
As part of his campaign promise, Duterte has pushed for the passage of the BBL “minus issues that violate the Constitution”.
The Kuala Lumpur meeting has been scheduled Aug. 13-14.
Dureza has said that the meeting will also serve as a venue for the Philippines to brief the Malaysian facilitators on its peace agenda in Mindanao.
“Remember, the Malaysians have contributed enormously in the negotiation stage. Therefore, we thought it’s fitting to give them that due recognition for their contributions to our peace efforts by launching the implementation stage in Kuala Lumpur."
