MANILA: The government asked peace-loving citizens to help in ensuring that the atmosphere of encouragement and stability that followed the signing of a framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf) will continue to prevail.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda made this appeal in reaction to reports that another improvised bomb exploded in the southern Philippine province of Sultan Kudarat yesterday morning. No one was reportedly hurt in the incident, but police said this was the third bombing in Mindanao this week alone. The bombers were allegedly opposed to the framework agreement.
“There will always be people who will try to be obstacles to giving peace a chance in Mindanao. But those who are for peace should strive forward and ensure that the atmosphere that has prevailed before and subsequent to the signing of the framework agreement persists,” Lacierda said in a news briefing.
“That there is hope; that there is encouragement; that there is a chance for peace to persist in Mindanao so that there will be stability for all the citizens especially for those in Muslim Mindanao,” he added.
The government and the Milf formally signed the framework agreement on Monday in a ceremony in Malacañang presidential palace.
The deal is a roadmap for a final political settlement between the Philippines and the Milf which aims to create a Bangsamoro entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The Philippine star
