COTABATO CITY: The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf) is grateful to President Aquino for suspending oil and gas exploration contracts in Mindanao on the behest of Milf chieftain Al Haj Murad.
Murad, in an emailed statement, said he is grateful to President Aquino for granting the Milf’s request to defer gas and oil ventures in the so-called Bangsamoro area pending the completion of all annexes to the framework agreement.
Malacañang announced Wednesday that it suspended bidding out and awarding contracts for oil explorations in areas that will eventually be affected by the proposed Bangsamoro region in Mindanao,
Murad asked for the suspension of any gas and oil exploration contracts while the GPH and Milf panels are still to iron out the wealth-sharing component of the framework agreement, signed by the Milf and the government on October 15.
President Aquino said he was informed by outgoing Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras that no biddings, no solicitations for bids and no opening of areas for such exploratory projects had taken place.
The government and the Milf have yet to submit the annexes for the “wealth-sharing” provisions of the framework agreement. The provisions would state how taxes from local resources would be managed.
In its website, the Milf expressed concern and asked the government to postpone the awarding of oil exploration contracts to bidders in areas that will be covered by the Bangsamoro region while discussions on wealth-sharing are underway.
Murad said the Milf is not against wise utilisation of oil and gas deposits in Mindanao as long as local inhabitants are assured of their share from accruing revenues.
Murad said they are optimistic that the GPH and Milf panels will be able to craft annexes to the framework deal. The two panels are to meet again this month in Malaysia.
The Philippine star
