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ABM Opening Remarks Final PDF
ABM Opening Remarks Final PDF
ABM Opening Remarks Final PDF
26 February 2016
It was encouraging that both Parties remained fully engaged with the process, and
fully committed to building the sustained peace foreseen in the CAB. This was
confirmed at the most recent meeting of the Panels, in Kuala Lumpur on 10-11
February, reaffirming the Partiescommitment to stay the course of peace, and
agreeing to sustain the existing peace infrastructure and to work for the early passage
of a BBL in the next Congress. It was confirmed also in the MILF statement of 18
February, expressing disappointment at the non-passage of the BBL, but underlining
that the MILF would continue to uphold the peace process and preserve its gains, and
calling on the Bangsamoro people to remain patient and to rally behind the full
implementation of the CAB.
While Mamasapano had a considerable negative impact on public confidence in the
peace process across the nation, the failure of Congress to complete its deliberations
on the BBL (and the tone of some of these discussions) has also meant that
confidence in the peace process among the wider Moro community has taken a knock.
It is encouraging that there has been no violent reaction from the MILF to the nonpassage of the BBL (comparable to that which followed the failure of the MoA-AD in
2008). But it is possible that this setback in achieving the long-held aspirations of the
Bangsamoro could increase the risk that some young people could become more
attracted to violent extremism a risk against which a successful conclusion to the
peace process will be the most effective vaccination.
Looking forward, it will be essential to build a path forward (a Plan B), to help the
next Administration hit the ground running, to work to sustain public confidence in
the process during this period of uncertainty, and to reaffirm the commitment of all
stakeholders to winning the prize of peace. We noticed for example that very little
was said about the peace process at the recent Presidential debate, and it could be
helpful if the candidates were to tell the public how the process might be carried
forward to a successful conclusion.
That said, my colleagues and I believe that this prize of peace can be attained, no
matter which administration takes office on 30 June. No administration can afford to
ignore the costs of conflict in Mindanao the human costs, the developmental costs,
the security costs, or the risk of worsening a climate conducive to the spread of
violent extremism. The CAB will necessarily remain the cornerstone of peace, and the
best guarantee of success lies in the continued commitment of both Parties, evident at
the highest levels throughout this past year.