MANILA, (PNA) –Malacanang expressed optimism that the peace negotiating panels would soon reach an agreement on the last two annexes to be added to the 2012 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB).
The 41st exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur ended Sunday, but the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) failed to sign the annexes on power sharing and normalization.
“I understand your impatience. It’s important for both sides to address issues related to the remaining annexes and make sure they’ll stand scrutiny. We remain optimistic,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a media briefing.
GPH panel chair Miriam Colonel Ferrer said the parties will meet again “in due time” as they agreed on a process to facilitate the discussion on unsettled issues.
“Despite the exhausting daily overtime sessions in the last five days, the panels remained upbeat,” Ferrer said in a statement.
Ferrer described the meetings as “very productive,” and said that “professionalism and mutual respect prevailed throughout the process.”
For her part, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita “Ging” Deles said there is an “understanding now on the level of detail that would go into the annex on power-sharing but (there are) some disagreements still on specific features.”
“The panels really wanted to sign even one annex, but both share a common understanding that whatever they sign should create real, viable and lasting solutions to the Bangsamoro problem,” she said.
“They chose to exert extra due diligence in their work in the annexes to ensure that solutions are truly acceptable to the Bangsamoro people who will benefit the most,” she added.
A completed FAB shall be the basis for an enabling law to legitimize the replacement of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with an MILF-led Bangsamoro self-governing political entity.