60 AFP, PNP personnel attend cultural
awareness orientation in Basilan

NCCA-Yakan Cluster head Ammalun Salahuddin (right), KELUARGA Pres. Ahmad Al-amin & PEACE People Organization President Ms. Hamsiya Durapan together with participants from the Philippine Army, SAF and PNP personnel from the provincial headquarter-Basilan last February 16-17, 2016.

 

About sixty participants from the Philippines Army based at 104th Brigade in Tabiawan Special Action Forces (SAF) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have attended a two-day cultural sensitivity awareness orientation in Isabela City, Basilan Province.
Sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the orientation is in partnership with the Provincial Government of Basilan through the joint effort of PEACE AND KELUARGA ASS’N, a people’s organizations.
The cultural awareness activity dubbed as “Recognizing cultural diversity towards PEACE; A paradigm to development and a peaceful co-existence and harmony," was held at the Provincial Women Peace Center in Barangay Sumagdang, Isabela City last February 16-17, 2016.
Different topics such as: the respect for culture: key to peaceful co-existence, community involvement: promoting cultural sensitivity awareness to sustain culture of peace, Yakan Culture Society and  recognizing beliefs and practices of Yakan Culture, values in Islamic perspective, were discussed by the series of lecturers on the two-day
informative and educational activity.
Ammalun Salahuddin, the Yakan cluster head and the NCCA representative in the forum, explained the importance of the conduct of cultural sensitivity program not only to one sector but to the different group if only to reverse the ethnocentric perception of non-indigenous peoples of Indigenous People's cultures, which are often stereotyped,
folklorized and treated with biases.
The Cultural sensitivity awareness program is one of the important activities of the NCCA that must be conducted in the different local communities particularly in the area where there are diverse cultures to promote understanding, peace and harmony among local populace and/or in the IPs ancestral communities Salahuddin said.
Col. Tom Donato, Deputy Brigade Comdr of the Philippine Army's 104th Brigade based in Tabiawan, Isabela City, who was representing the Brigade Commander, Col. Rolando Bautista, expressed thanks and appreciations to the sponsor of the cultural orientation for the timely conduct as it is necessary for everybody.
"Specially soldiers who are newly assigned in any area must be oriented and familiarized with the local cultures and idiosyncrasies of the people in the area to avoid misunderstanding and differences between them and the people in the community where they are assigned," said Donato.
The deputy brigade commander, likewise, welcome the idea of re-echoing the same cultural sensitivity orientation to the different municipalities and other stakeholders in the province so that concerned individual may be exposed and familiarize with their own cultures and practices.
He said the Philippine Army is always ready to support the program as it is also included in the operational guidelines of the armed forces of the Philippines to be mindful of the local political situation and cultures.

Grace Poe & Chiz Escudero Barnstorm Zamboanga City

Frontrunner Presidential Candidate Grace Poe is reaching out the youth, mostly K-POE members, as she is crowded along San Jose Road in Zamboanga city on Feb. 4, 2016. (MGPI News Photo)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oA_RpvG46c&ebc=ANyPxKqA69fUYCzYm10C3LKmGosh3h41KRsHp3iy6KpFp8CxZTo8HfoOJAzg1XQ0EqUAZIQjp8NkCoZEHxA3kzmv5_hfUOiRyQ

 Grace Poe barnstorms Zamboanga

 Promises 30% of P1 trillion budget to Mindanao

Presidential candidate Grace Poe together with her running mate Senator Francis Escudero and their senatorial bets under the team Gobyernong May Puso arrived Friday, March  4, 2016, in Zamboanga City for their first ever campaign sortie in southern Philippines.

In a press conference, Poe has promised at least 30% of the national budget to Mindanao to alleviate the poverty stricken provinces in the region.

"Sixteen out of thirty provinces in Mindanao can be classified as below the poverty

line," Poe told a jampacked crowd of reporters and supporters.

"The poverty problem should be solved since this is a major reason for the unstable peace and order situation in Mindanao."

According to her, the budget for Mindanao will be spent for the development of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and to provide for agricultural assistance.

"I hope that a bigger budget will entice lawless elements to go back to the fold of the law," she added.

Poe together with party mates held a big rally at a convention center, attended a student forum and round of television and radio stations in the city, as well as inauguratian of headquarter for the youth. MGPI News

A renowned Saudi Islamic international lecturer, another
Arab religious attache shot injured in Zamboanga City

A prominent Saudi Islamic religious scholar and another Arab religious attache have been shot and wounded during a forum at a university gym in the predominantly Christian city of Zamboanga in the southern Philippines, authorities said.

Dr. A'id Al-Qarni, a renowned international lecturer and author of many motivational books on Islam; and Sheik Turki Assaegh, a religious attaché of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, were rushed to the Western Mindanao State University for bullet wounds at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Senior Inspector Helen Galvez, spokesperson of Zamboanga City Police Office, told Zamboanga-based reporters the two Saudi nationals were shot while on board their vehicle outside the university gymnasium.

But Sheikh Abdulwakil Tanjilil, a Filipino deputy mufti of Region 9 and Palawan, also told reporters the victims have just rendered a free lecture in the Islamic Symposium inside the university gym when the incident occurred.

Galvez told local television, radio and print reporters that the Arabs were shot with a .45-caliber pistol. “We are investigating this incident.

It was unknown how the gunman managed to sneak a gun through the strict security at the university gate.

Witnesses, who attended the forum, said they were shot at when Al-Qarni opened the window of their vehicle to bid goodbye to the seminar attendees and that the suspects fired several shots.

Al-Qarni was hit in his right shoulder, left arm and chest, while Assaegh was hit in his right thigh and left leg, according to media reports.
Al-Qarni and Assaegh were immediately taken to the Zamboanga Arturo Eustaquio Medical Center (ZAEC) for treatment. One of victim escorts, a member of the Police Security and Protection Group, who were detailed as close-in security, managed to fire back at the suspects and killed one of them.

Two suspected individuals are in the custody of the local police for questioning, Galvez told local reporters here.

The police have yet to determine the motive behind the attack. Investigations are ongoing to establish the identity of the slain suspect.

ABS-CBN News reported several participants of the forum were given medical aid after they suffocated inside the university gymnasium. Some of them blamed the authorities for the alleged security lapses.

The Ulama Council of Zamboanga Peninsula, which organized the symposium, said the activity was participated by more than 8,000 Muslims coming from different parts of Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar ordered the police to thoroughly investigate the shooting and its motive.

There was no immediate statement from the Saudi Embassy on the daring attack on the Arab scholars, and neither from the Aquino government nor the Department of Defense about the report on the incident.

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni born on January 1, 1959, is a Saudi Islamic Muslim scholar, author, and activist.

It also wrote Al-Qarni is best known for his self-help book La Tahzan (Don't Be Sad), which is aimed at Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Al Qarni was recently sued for plagiarism. After being found guilty of stealing the work of female writer Salwa Aededan, al Qarni's book La Tayass (Do not Despair) was banned and blacklisted by Saudi authorities.

He responded that he was following a precedent of plagiarism by other Islamic scholars. Samir Faraj, an Egyptian poet, has also claimed that al-Qarni stole his book Shuara Katalhom Shirahom (Poets Killed by Their Poems) and published it the name Kasaid Katalat Ashabaha (Poems That Murdered Their Writers).

Also, a report of Al Jacinto of the Manila Times, which cited the 2012 report by the Investigative Project on Terrorism, al-Qarni had been blocked by the Department of Homeland Security in the United States from attending a national Islamist conference in Chicago.

It said the 57-year old al-Qarni had been removed from his flight from Saudi Arabia despite having a US visa, and that he appeared to be on the US “no-fly list.”

The report said he has advocated jihad in the past, and that his preaching on the subject has been described as influential among al-Qaida followers. (See link: which can be accessed at <http://www.investigativeproject.org/3864/cair-protests-saudi-radical-exclusion-from-us#>) 

The report also said that during a 2005 sermon flagged by the Middle East Media Research Institute, al-Qarni called the jihad against American forces in Fallujah “a source of pride… downing their planes, destroying equipment, slaughtering them, taking them hostage…” and proclaiming “Allahu Akhbar” from the mosques, and the worshippers and the preacher cursing them in their prayers.

It said al-Qarni belittled Muslims who failed to take action, including “harming the Jews.”

He also invoked Israel’s targeted killings of Hamas leaders Ahmed Yassin and Abdel-Aziz Rantisi, saying he prayed that Allah “will destroy the Jews and their helpers from among the Christians and the Communists, and that He will turn them into the Muslims’ spoils. I praise the Jihad, the sacrifice, and the resistance against the occupiers in Iraq. We curse them all of them every night and pray that Allah will annihilate them, tear them apart, and grant us victory over them…Throats must be slit and skulls must be shattered,” al-Qarni said. “This is the path to victory, to shahada, and to sacrifice."

 

Throng of MGP supporters led by Luis Lacson (MGPI prexy) along with their thousands of allies from the regions in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao crowd Burnham Park in Baguio City, the Philippines' summer capital, to attend the rally of Senator Grace Poe, frontrunner in the presidential race this coming May 9, 2016 elections.

Senator Grace Poe, frontrunner in the presidential race this coming May 9, 2016 elections, barnstorms the cities of Baguio and Manila this month of February with thousands of MGP supporters, volunteers and allies.

MGPI launches blog site http://mgpi2016.blogspot.com/

GPH, MILF peace pact on normalization annex
gains support from international communities

The signing of Annex on Normalization and Addendum on Bangsamoro waters between the peace panels of the Philippine Government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has gained full support from the international community welcoming it as a significant step towards lasting peace and development for Mindanao.

"Switzerland welcomes today's signing in Kuala Lumpur of the Annex on Normalization and the Addendum on Bangsamoro Waters to the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro... which mark the successful conclusion of the peace negotiations between the two parties," says a statement from Embassy of Switzerland in Manila.

"This is a momentuous milestone towards a long lasting peace in the southern Philippines. It signals the end of a lengthy and complex negotiation process and demonstrates the parties' commitment to achieve peace through this historic agreement."

The Switzerland government statement congratulates President Benigno Aquino III and MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim for achieving this landmark, as well as the Malaysian facilitator, Tengku Datu Abdul Ghafar Tengku bin Mohammed.

"Recognition is also due to the members of the International Contact Group, which comprises the Geneva based Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD)," the statement continues.

It also welcomes the MILF's pledge as a signatory to the Geneva Call's Deed of Commitment banning anti personnel mines, and that it has agreed to work Geneva Call on the prohibition of sexual violence and the protection of women.

According to the Switzerland government, the conclusion of te negotiations marks a crucial step for the establishment of the Bangsamoro in Mindanao.

"Switzerland is confident that the full adherence of the parties to the provision of the four annexes of the agreement and the support of all groupings in the region towards the successful implementation of this peace settlement will significantly enhance stability and the human security of the people in the southern Philippines."

It further hopes that the conclusion of the agreement will contribute towards the resolution of other conflicts and positively influence the stability in the country.

The European Union (EU) through its High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission Catherine Ashton says the signing of Annex on Normalization marks the end of a long and diffcult process of negotiations.

"It is truly a historic moment, demonstrating the Parties' commitment to achieving long lasting peace on the Philippines' island on Mindanao through a unique and holistic concept of normalization that encompasses the gradual decommissioning of arms, demilitarization and its economic and social development.

The EU, as a member of the International Monitoring Team and major development major partner in Mindanao since 1990, will continue to fully support the implementation of the peace process. "Sustainable peace in Mindanao requires an inclusive approach and all stakeholders, including the Moro National Liberation Front, need to demonstrate their goodwill for long lasting results," the statement says.

The Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), meantime, says its is indeed great and historic news to and for all of us that the last four Annexes to the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro have been agreed upon, and that it is even greater news that the most contentious issue of Bangsamoro on Waters has been successfully refined and defined, clearing the way and hopefully in quick succession, for the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the much awaited Comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) to finally see and be seen by the waiting world."

The IID expresses admiration of the commitment of both panels at definitively overcoming all majopr hurdles, and their joint commitment at persevering and creatively seeking solutions to 40 years of conflict and 16 years of tumultuous and at times contentious negotiations.

It also lauds the peace panels and supporters of both the GPH and MILF, saying that their contributions are now part of collective history of building peace and reconciliation.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomes the comprehensive peace agreement in the Philippines and encourages quick and full implementation by all parties.

In his statement, Mr. Hague says the successful conclusion of negotiations between the GPH and the MILF for a comprehensive peace agreement is a significant step towards lasting peace and development for Mindanao.

The British foreign official ending the long-running will not just benefit the region, including Muslims, Christians and Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao, but is vital for the security and economic development of the Philippines as a whole.

"As we know from our own experience, many of the most difficult challenges will emerge as the parties work towards implementing the agreement. But the courage and leadership shown by the parties gives great hope that these can be overcome and we are ready to provide whatever further support we can to help the people of Moro and the Philippines recover from this devastating conflict," says Mr. Hague.

The last Annex on Normalization which provides measures for the eventual demobilization of the MILF as a fighting force and the Addendum on Bangsamoro Waters outlines the delineation and jurisdiction of Bangsamoro waters in the region were signed by peace panels of the GPH and the MILF led by Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Mohagher Iqbal, respectively, on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 15 months after the signing of the FAB in Malacanang. Hader Glang

GPH, MILF peace panels
sign final Annex on FAB

The peace panels of the Philippine government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the last annex to the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement (FAB) as they concluded on Saturday, January 25, 2014, the talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

As of 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, who is in Kuala Lumpur with the government panel, made the announcement over his Twitter account Saturday afternoon.

Photo shows Philippine government peace panel chairman Miriam Coronel-Ferrer (left) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal (right) shakes hands as they exhanges the signed documents of the Annex on Normalization and the Addendum on Bangsamoro Waters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014. Witnessing the event are Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles (2nd from left), Malaysian facilitator Abdul Ghafar Tengku Mohamed (center), and some members of the House of Representatives inclusing Basilan Lone District Congressman Jim Salliman-Hataman. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have an Agreement!" Lacierda said in his Twitter account.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles also announced yesterday the joint signing of the Annex on normalization and addendum on Bangsamoro waters by the peace panels of the GPH and the MILF.

The signed last Annex will pave the way for the completion of the comprehensive peace agreement that both parties had agreed earlier to call the “Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro” (CAB).

In a statement, Deles said: "Today the GPH and the MILF jointly signed the Annex on Normalization, the last of the four Annexes to the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), which was completed on 15 October 2012.

She reiterated: "This paves the way for the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). This is indeed a long-awaited moment that is a gift to our people at the start of a new year of renewed hope and commitment."

Admitting that it has been a very difficult road arriving at this major milestone of the peace process, Deles said  the crafting of each of the four Annexes, together with the additional Addendum on Bangsamoro Waters, underwent painstaking deliberation by the two parties, backed up by thorough discussion and internal consensus-building on each side of the negotiating table, and grounded on extensive consultations with concerned local government units, religious and civil society leaders, and communities especially in the conflict-affected areas.

"2013 saw very serious challenges to the peace process which both sides were able to overcome with deep faith that, indeed, peace is possible for those who persist and persevere," she said.

According to Deles, on the side of GPH, the work of their negotiating panel always included rigorous study and due diligence undertaken with concerned Cabinet members and agency heads who pushed and pulled to extend the limits of possibilities for good and democratic governance in the area of autonomy.

In crafting the annexes, Deles said the GPH panel sought at every point to abide by the President's instructions that all peace agreements to be signed must be consistent with the constitution, including its flexibilities; must reflect the hard lessons learned from our past peacemaking efforts; and must be in accordance with the capacity of the parties to deliver politically, economically, culturally and in all ways necessary.

"It has been a difficult road getting to here and we know that the path ahead will continue to be fraught with challenges. As we celebrate this moment, we also affirm our readiness to undertake the tasks that shall ensure the full and satisfactory implementation of this agreement, together with the MILF, other
partners and stakeholders.

In moving forward, our legislators will take on the crucial role of enacting the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which the Bangsamoro Transition Commission is now drafting.  There will be new arrangements and mechanisms set up for the GPH and the MILF, assisted by selected third-parties and independent bodies, to work together on the multiple tracks that will ensure the transformation of MILF forces and conflict-affected communities from the harsh ways of war to the nurturance of  partnership and cooperation - all these to unleash the unlimited potentials for the development of Mindanao, especially for the communities so long left behind," Deles continued.

She further said President Aquino's vision and compassion and his love and resolve for Mindanao has brought us to this new era of the Bangsamoro, where dreams of peace and prosperity may begin to overcome the nightmares of the past.

"We thank and commend the GPH and the MILF panels and all the members of their teams for their patience and creativity and for remaining steadfast in their roles as problem-solvers and peacemakers.  We thank MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad and the members of the MILF Central Committee for the trust and commitment to see the negotiations and the subsequent implementation of the FAB to completion.

Lastly, we acknowledge with deep gratitude our Malaysian facilitator, Tengku Dato Abdul Ghafar, together with his hard-working secretariat, and the government of Malaysia for their hospitality and fraternal guidance, as the third-party facilitator for the peace talks. To our fellow advocates and partners in the international community, especially the members of the International Contact Group: Thank-you for bearing with us in keeping the faith.

In a world looking for peaceful solutions to all troubles, we are grateful that we have found ours.  Let us all seal it - and nurture it.  The best is yet to come," Deles concluded.

GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal said in separate interviews by reporters covering the exploratory talks that they were just “wrapping up” the final text.

According to Iqbal, the text of the CAB is more than just an introduction or a cover page. He told reporters that there were some issues that they want clearly spelled out in the CAB.

He however declined to elaborate as their draft text of the CAB had yet to be handed over to the GPH panel.

Ferrer also told reporters they gave their draft CAB “several months ago.”

The MILF as of 1 p.m. Friday, had yet to hand over their draft CAB to the GPH, through the Malaysian facilitator.  Tengku said as of 1:30 p.m. that he had yet to receive the draft text.

Ferrer said they were “open to receive proposals from their end as to what else goes into the text (of the CAB). We’ve already indicated some of the elements in a previous text.”

Iqbal on Friday morning said that after the signing of the Annex on Normalization and Addendum,”  there may be another round to finish the text of the CAB.

Ferrer said they will “discuss the process for that” and added that since all the annexes shall have been signed by then, “it may not be in the same form or full panel.”

Signed on October 15, 2012, the FAB provides for four annexes that were supposed to have been completed by yearend 2012: the annexes on Revenue-Generation and Wealth-Sharing, Power-Sharing, Normalization, and Transitional Arrangements and Modalities.

The annex on Transitional Arrangements was signed in February; Wealth-sharing in July, Power-sharing in December.

ABS-CBN reported that the annex on normalization was agreed upon after an "accommodating atmosphere" in the 43rd formal exploratory talks held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The MILF peace negotiator said "both parties went through the toughest issues, including the annex on wealth and power sharing, that were signed last year." Hader Glang

2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro

MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim (second from left) describes the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro as the most important document in this chapter of the MILF's history. He watches the signing of the peace roadmap along with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and President Benigno Aquino III. MILF Peace Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal and Government Peace Panel Chairman Marvic Leonen sign the deal in the presence of Malaysian Facilitator Tengku Dato'Abdul Ghafar. Photo by Malacañang Photo Bureau.

Joint Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH)-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Accord Signed October 15, 2012 at Malacanang, Manila

In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON THE BANGSAMORO

The Philippine Government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) herein referred to as the Parties to this Agreement,

HAVE AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED AS FOLLOWS:

I. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BANGSAMORO

1. The Parties agree that the status quo is unacceptable and that the Bangsamoro shall be established to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The Bangsamoro is the new autonomous political entity (NPE) referred to in the Decision Points of Principles as of April 2012.

2. The government of the Bangsamoro shall have a ministerial form.

The Parties agree to entrench an electoral system suitable to a ministerial form of government. The electoral system shall allow democratic participation, ensure accountability of public officers primarily to their constituents and encourage formation of genuinely principled political parties. The electoral system shall be contained in the Bangsamoro Basic Law to be implemented through legislation enacted by the Bangsamoro Government and correlated with national laws.

3. The provinces, cities, municipalities, barangays and geographic areas within its territory shall be the constituent units of the Bangsamoro.

The authority to regulate on its own responsibility the affairs of the constituent units is guaranteed within the limit of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. The privileges already enjoyed by the local government units under existing laws shall not be diminished unless otherwise altered, modified or reformed for good governance pursuant to the provisions of the Bangsamoro local government code.

4. The relationship of the Central Government with the Bangsamoro Government shall be asymmetric.

5. The Parties recognize Bangsamoro identity. Those who at the time of conquest and colonization were considered natives or original inhabitants of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago and its adjacent islands including Palawan, and their descendants whether of mixed or of full blood shall have the right to identify themselves as Bangsamoro by ascription or self-ascription.

Spouses and their descendants are classified as Bangsamoro. The freedom of choice of other Indigenous peoples shall be respected.

II. BASIC LAW

1. The Bangsamoro shall be governed by a Basic Law.

2. The provisions of the Bangsamoro Basic Law shall be consistent with all agreements of the Parties.

3. The Basic Law shall reflect the Bangsamoro system of life and meet internationally accepted standards of governance.

4. It shall be formulated by the Bangsamoro people and ratified by the qualified voters within its territory.

III. POWERS

1. The Central Government will have reserved powers, the Bangsamoro Government shall have its exclusive powers, and there will be concurrent powers shared by the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government.

The Annex on Power Sharing, which includes the principles on intergovernmental relations, shall form part of this Agreement and guide the drafting of the Basic Law.

2. The Central Government shall have powers on:
a) Defense and external security
b) Foreign policy
c) Common market and global trade, provided that the power to enter into economic agreements already allowed under Republic Act No. 9054 shall be transferred to the Bangsamoro
d) Coinage and monetary policy
e) Citizenship and naturalization

f) Postal service

This list is without prejudice to additional powers that may be agreed upon by the Parties.

3. The Parties recognize the need to strengthen the Shari’ah courts and to expand their jurisdiction over cases. The Bangsamoro shall have competence over the Shari’ah justice system. The supremacy of Shari’ah and its application shall only be to Muslims.

4. The Bangsamoro Basic Law may provide for the power of the Bangsamoro Government to accredit halal-certifying bodies in the Bangsamoro.

5. The Bangsamoro Basic Law shall provide for justice institutions in the Bangsamoro. This includes:

a) The competence over the Shari’ah justice system, as well as the formal institutionalization and operation of its functions, and the expansion of the jurisdiction of the Shari’ah courts;
b) Measures to improve the workings of local civil courts, when necessary; and

c) Alternative dispute resolution systems.

6. The customary rights and traditions of indigenous peoples shall be taken into consideration in the formation of the Bangsamoro’s justice system. This may include the recognition of indigenous processes as alternative modes of dispute resolution.

IV. REVENUE GENERATION AND WEALTH SHARING

1. The parties agree that wealth creation (or revenue generation and sourcing) is important for the operation of the Bangsamoro.

2. Consistent with the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the Bangsamoro will have the power to create its own sources of revenues and to levy taxes, fees, and charges, subject to limitations as may be mutually agreed upon by the Parties. This power shall include the power to determine tax bases and tax rates, guided by the principles of devolution of power, equalization, equity, accountability, administrative simplicity, harmonization, economic efficiency, and fiscal autonomy.

3. The Bangsamoro will have the authority to receive grants and donations from domestic and foreign sources, and block grants and subsidies from the Central Government. Subject to acceptable credit worthiness, it shall also have the authority to contract loans from domestic and foreign lending institutions, except foreign and domestic loans requiring sovereign guaranty, whether explicit or implicit, which would require the approval of the Central Government.

4. The Bangsamoro shall have a just and equitable share in the revenues generated through the exploration, development or utilization of natural resources obtaining in all the areas/territories, land or water, covered by and within the jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro, in accordance with the formula agreed upon by the Parties.

5. The Bangsamoro may create its own auditing body and procedures for accountability over revenues and other funds generated within or by the region from external sources. This shall be without prejudice to the power, authority and duty of the national Commission on Audit to examine, audit and settle all accounts pertaining to the revenues and the use of funds and property owned and held in trust by any government instrumentality, including GOCCs.

6. The details of revenue and wealth sharing arrangements between the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government shall be agreed upon by the Parties. The Annex on Wealth Sharing shall form part of this Agreement.

7. There shall be an intergovernmental fiscal policy board composed of representatives of the Bangsamoro and the Central Government in order to address revenue imbalances and fluctuations in regional financial needs and revenue-raising capacity. The Board shall meet at least once in six (6) months to determine necessary fiscal policy adjustments, subject to the principles of intergovernmental relations mutually agreed upon by both Parties. Once full fiscal autonomy has been achieved by the Bangsamoro then it may no longer be necessary to have a representative from the Central Government to sit in the Board. Fiscal autonomy shall mean generation and budgeting of the Bangsamoro’s own sources of revenue, its share of the internal revenue taxes and block grants and subsidies remitted to it by the central government or any donor.

8. The Parties agree that sustainable development is crucial in protecting and improving the quality of life of the Bangsamoro people. To this end, the Bangsamoro shall develop a comprehensive framework for sustainable development through the proper conservation, utilization and development of natural resources. For efficient coordination and assistance, the Bangsamoro legislative body shall create, by law, an intergovernmental body composed of representatives of the Bangsamoro and the Central Government, which shall ensure the harmonization of environmental and developmental plans, as well as formulate common environmental objectives.

V. TERRITORY

1. The core territory of the Bangsamoro shall be composed of:

(a) the present geographical area of the ARMM; (b) the Municipalities of Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangkal in the province of Lanao del Norte and all other barangays in the Municipalities of Kabacan, Carmen, Aleosan, Pigkawayan, Pikit, and Midsayap that voted for inclusion in the ARMM during the 2001 plebiscite; (c) the cities of Cotabato and Isabela; and (d) all other contiguous areas where there is a resolution of the local government unit or a petition of at least ten percent (10%) of the qualified voters in the area asking for their inclusion at least two months prior to the conduct of the ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the process of delimitation of the Bangsamoro as mentioned in the next paragraph.

2. The Parties shall work together in order to ensure the widest acceptability of the Bangsamoro Basic Law as drafted by the Transitory Commission and the core areas mentioned in the previous paragraph, through a process of popular ratification among all the Bangsamoro within the areas for their adoption. An international third party monitoring team shall be present to ensure that the process is free, fair, credible, legitimate and in conformity with international standards.

3. Areas which are contiguous and outside the core territory where there are substantial populations of the Bangsamoro may opt anytime to be part of the territory upon petition of at least ten percent (10%) of the residents and approved by a majority of qualified voters in a plebiscite.

4. The disposition of internal and territorial waters shall be referred to in the Annexes on Wealth and Power Sharing.

5. Territory refers to the land mass as well as the maritime, terrestrial, fluvial and alluvial domains, and the aerial domain and the atmospheric space above it. Governance shall be as agreed upon by the parties in this agreement and in the sections on wealth and power sharing.

6. The Bangsamoro Basic Law shall recognize the collective democratic rights of the constituents in the Bangsamoro.

VI. BASIC RIGHTS

1. In addition to basic rights already enjoyed, the following rights of all citizens residing in the Bangsamoro bind the legislature, executive and judiciary as directly enforceable law and are guaranteed:
a. Right to life and to inviolability of one’s person and dignity;
b. Right to freedom and expression of religion and beliefs;
c. Right to privacy;
d. Right to freedom of speech;
e. Right to express political opinion and pursue democratically political aspiration;
f. Right to seek constitutional change by peaceful and legitimate means;
g. Right of women to meaningful political participation, and protection from all forms of violence;
h. Right to freely choose one’s place of residence and the inviolability of the home;
i. Right to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in social and economic activity and the public service, regardless of class, creed, disability, gender and ethnicity;
j. Right to establish cultural and religious associations;
k. Right to freedom from religious, ethnic and sectarian harassment; and

l. Right to redress of grievances and due process of law.

2. Vested property rights shall be recognized and respected. With respect to the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people arising from any unjust dispossession of their territorial and proprietary rights, customary land tenure or their marginalization shall be acknowledged. Whenever restoration is no longer possible, the Central Government and the Government of the Bangsamoro shall take effective measures for adequate reparation collectively beneficial to the Bangsamoro people in such quality, quantity and status to be determined mutually.

3. Indigenous peoples’ rights shall be respected.

4. The Central Government shall ensure the protection of the rights of the Bangsamoro people residing outside the territory of the Bangsamoro and undertake programs for the rehabilitation and development of their communities. The Bangsamoro Government may provide assistance to their communities to enhance their economic, social and cultural development.

VII. TRANSITION AND IMPLEMENTATION

1. The Parties agree to the need for a transition period and the institution of transitional mechanisms.

2. The Parties agree to adopt and incorporate an Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, which forms a part of this Framework Agreement.

3. There shall be created a Transition Commission through an Executive Order and supported by Congressional Resolutions.

4. The functions of the Transition Commission are as follows:

a. To work on the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law with provisions consistent with all agreements entered and that may be entered into by the Parties;
b. To work on proposals to amend the Philippine Constitution for the purpose of accommodating and entrenching in the constitution the agreements of the Parties whenever necessary without derogating from any prior peace agreements;
c. To coordinate whenever necessary development programs in Bangsamoro communities in conjunction with the MILF Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) and other agencies.

5. The Transition Commission shall be composed of fifteen (15) members all of whom are Bangsamoro. Seven (7) members shall be selected by the GPH and eight (8) members, including the Chairman, shall be selected by the MILF.

6. The Transition Commission will be independent from the ARMM and other government agencies. The GPH shall allocate funds and provide other resources for its effective operation. All other agencies of government shall support the Transition Commission in the performance of its tasks and responsibilities until it becomes functus oficio and cease to exist.

7. The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law submitted by the Transition Commission shall be certified as an urgent bill by the President.

8. Upon promulgation and ratification of the Basic Law, which provides for the creation of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the ARMM is deemed abolished.

9. All devolved authorities shall be vested in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority during the interim period. The ministerial form and Cabinet system of government shall commence once the Bangsamoro Transition Authority is in place. The Bangsamoro Transition Authority may reorganize the bureaucracy into institutions of governance appropriate thereto.

10. The Bangsamoro Transition Authority shall ensure that the continued functioning of government in the area of autonomy is exercised pursuant to its mandate under the Basic Law. The Bangsamoro Transition Authority will be immediately replaced in 2016 upon the election and assumption of the members of the Bangsamoro legislative assembly and the formation of the Bangsamoro government.

11. There will be created a third party monitoring team to be composed of international bodies, as well as domestic groups to monitor the implementation of all agreements.

12. At the end of the transition period, the GPH and MILF Peace Negotiating Panels, together with the Malaysian Facilitator and the Third Party Monitoring Team, shall convene a meeting to review, assess or evaluate the implementation of all agreements and the progress of the transition. An ‘Exit Document’ officially terminating the peace negotiation may be crafted and signed by both Parties if and only when all agreements have been fully implemented.

13. The Negotiating Panel of both Parties shall continue the negotiations until all issues are resolved and all agreements implemented.

VIII. NORMALIZATION

1. The Parties agree that normalization is vital to the peace process. It is through normalization that communities can return to conditions where they can achieve their desired quality of life, which includes the pursuit of sustainable livelihoods and political participation within a peaceful deliberative society.

2. The aim of normalization is to ensure human security in the Bangsamoro. Normalization helps build a society that is committed to basic human rights, where individuals are free from fear of violence or crime and where long-held traditions and value continue to be honored. Human insecurity embraces a wide range of issues that would include violation of human and civil rights, social and political injustice and impunity.

3. As a matter of principle, it is essential that policing structure and arrangement are such that the police service is professional and free from partisan political control. The police system shall be civilian in character so that it is effective and efficient in law enforcement, fair and impartial as well as accountable under the law for its action, and responsible both to the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government, and to the communities it serves.

4. An independent commission shall be organized by the Parties to recommend appropriate policing within the area. The commission shall be composed of representatives from the parties and may invite local and international experts on law enforcement to assist the commission in its work.

5. The MILF shall undertake a graduated program for decommissioning of its forces so that they are put beyond use.

6. In a phased and gradual manner, all law enforcement functions shall be transferred from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to the police force for the Bangsamoro.

The Parties agree to continue negotiations on the form, functions and relationship of the police force of the Bangsamoro taking into consideration the results of the independent review process mentioned in paragraph 4.

7. The Joint Coordinating Committees on Cessation of Hostilities (JCCCH) as well as the Ad hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) with the participation of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) shall continue to monitor the ceasefire agreement until the full decommissioning of the MILF forces. These existing coordinating mechanisms shall be the basis for the creation of a Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) to ensure the coordination between the Government and remaining MILF forces, and through which MILF shall assist in maintaining peace and order in the area of the Bangsamoro until decommissioning shall have been fully completed.

8. Both Parties commit to work in partnership for the reduction and control of firearms in the area and the disbandment of private armies and other armed groups.

9. The details of the normalization process and timetables for decommissioning shall be in an Annex on Normalization and shall form part of this Agreement.

10. The Parties agree to intensify development efforts for rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of the Bangsamoro, and institute programs to address the needs of MILF combatants, internally displaced persons, and poverty-stricken communities.

11. The Parties recognize the need to attract multi-donor country support, assistance and pledges to the normalization process. For this purpose, a Trust Fund shall be established through which urgent support, recurrent and investment budget cost will be released with efficiency, transparency and accountability. The Parties agree to adopt criteria for eligible financing schemes, such as, priority areas of capacity building, institutional strengthening, impact programs to address imbalances in development and infrastructures, and economic facilitation for return to normal life affecting combatant and non-combatant elements of the MILF, indigenous peoples, women, children, and internally displaced persons.

12. The Parties agree to work out a program for transitional justice to address the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people, correct historical injustices, and address human rights violations.

IX. MISCELLANEOUS

1. This Agreement shall not be implemented unilaterally.

2. The Parties commit to work further on the details of the Framework Agreement in the context of this document and complete a comprehensive agreement by the end of the year.

Gov't forces raid terror camp, kill 5 Abus, rescue Chinese

kidnap victim, capture bombing suspect in Zamboanga City

In photos are Western Mindanao police regional director Chief Supt. Napoleon Estilles, Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat, Undersecretary Felizardo Serapio Jr. of the Law Enforcement Security Integrated Office, Brig. Gen. Eugenio Clemen of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command, and captured Abu Sayyaf member Sambri Aslon Kamlon alias Abu Zaid, and rescued Chinese kidnapped victim Yuan-Kai Lin. Also the seized a cache of high-powered firearms, bullets and other items from kidnappers.  HADER GLANG

Government security forces raided a terror camp of the Abu Sayyaf group and killed a number of them as well as rescued the last of two remaining kidnapped Chinese national and seized a cache of firearms, ammunitions, explosives, and documents being used for terrorist/dissident training in Barangay Calabasa, Curuan District, east coast of Zamboanga City last Thursday.

The raid including the rescue was initiated by the anti-terrorism task force "Sanglahi" and carried out by elements of the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime, 84th Special Special Action Company of the PNP Special Action Force, Anti-Kidnapping Group, Police Regional Intelligence Unit 9, Zamboanga City Police Office, Naval Intelligence Security Group-Western Mindanao, 3rd Explosive and Ordnance Disposal Unit of the Philippine Army, and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime.

Western Mindanao police regional director Chief Supt. Napoleon Estilles said the raid resulted in the rescue of  Yuan-Kai Lin and the killing of five kidnappers as well as the capture of one of the suspects in the bombing of rural bus transit and wounding of undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf group members.

The rescued Chinese national was kidnapped along with companion Jian Luo alias James Luo by armed men in the towm of Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay Province while trading for mineral ore last June 4, 2012. His companion, Mr. Luo, was freed August 26, 2012 by their kidnappers in Arena Blanco after reportedly paying P5 million ransom.

Estilles identified three of the slain kidnappers as Termije Ajijul and his wife Sitti Raja Salvin, Abu Ulm, Arab-Arab and Banah-Banah who belonged to the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Khair Mundos who, according to the raiding team, was wounded but managed to escape. He also identified the captured bombing suspect as  Sambri Aslon Kamlon alias Abu Zaid, who was caught during the raid.

"Khair Mundos is the number 2 Abu Sayyaf leader based in Basilan, who has a $500,000 bounty put on his head. It's positive that he was wounded during the raid where one of our men, a member of the Special Action Forces, was also wounded," Estilles told local reporters.

Mundos is being pursued now by government forces in the area. He was captured in 2004, but he escaped from a provincial jail in 2007. While in government previous custody, he confessed to arranging fund for terrorist bombings throughout Mindanao.

According to Estilles, the encounter between the state forces and the Abu Sayyaf lasted about 20 minutes. Recovered from the scene were several high powered firearms, 14 bag packs owned by new Abu Sayyaf recruits, training manuals of the Southeast Asian terror group Jemaah Islamiyah, cellular phones and other personal belongings, including hammocks.

"Our raiding team recovered 1 carbine, 1 M16, 1 M14, 1 baby Armalite and bullets, hand grenade, bag packs and other several other items," he aid. "They (Abu Sayyaf men) have not brought their belongings, including firearms, bullets and other possessions because they were surrprised by the raiding team."

Last Thursday morning's raid against the Abu Sayyaf group, Estilles said, at about 9:45 a.m. in a successful operation, government forces freed thge last of the two Chinese nationals abducted by the Abu Sayyaf.

Prior to the raid, authorities received information that the Abu Sayyaf recently established a training camp in a secluded Sitio Porlos in Barangay Calabasa, thi city. Intelligence initial reports revealed that the camp was also being used by the Mundos' group in keeping kidnap victims, training grounds and safe havens of other Abu Sayyaf comrades from Basilan and Sulu provinces.

Undersecretary Felizardo Serapio Jr. of the Law Enforcement Security Integrated Office (LESIO), who was authorized by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., said the latest raid against the terror group exemplief the government's unwavering commitment to crush the Abu Sayyaf and put an end to theior kidnapping and terror activities. Hader Glang