President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the opening of the National Peace Consciousness Month (NPCM) and commemoration of the 28th Anniversary of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañang Palace on Monday. Yummie Dingding, PPA pool

MANILA (UPDATED) -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assured on Monday that his administration is committed to implementing all peace agreements forged not only in Mindanao, but throughout the country.

"Rest assured that you can depend on this Administration to implement all signed peace agreements for the security, the inclusive progress, and stability not only in Mindanao but throughout our country," Marcos Jr said in his speech at the opening of the 2024 National Peace Consciousness Month and the Commemoration of the 28th Anniversary of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front held at the Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace. 

The President noted that the peace processes with former revolutionary organizations such as the MILF, Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People's Liberation Army, and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade-Tabara Paduano Group, now known as KAPATIRAN, are now in the advanced stages of implementation. 

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"We are also implementing the Transformation Program, which aims to uplift the socio-economic conditions of MNLF combatants, and their families, and communities as well," he said.

The President also urged the MNLF to "continue working with all stakeholders in the region towards accountable, transparent, and people-centered in governance in the region." 

"We are likewise encouraging you to engage in a continuing open and constructive  exchange and dialogue with the government and its instrumentalities to discuss the experiences and challenges of our people in Mindanao so that we can provide responsive policies to serve you," he said.

Marcos Jr meanwhile called on the MNLF and other stakeholders of BARMM "to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and credible conduct of the 1st Bangsamoro Elections" in 2025. 

"The forthcoming election is an important reminder not only of the democracy that empowers us to mold our destinies but also of the visionaries who paved the way for the freedom that we all relish today," he said.

"This landmark, the election of the members of parliament that will occur next year, is as important a landmark as the signing of all of the peace agreements. This will now, not only formalize, not only institutionalize but actually operationalize BARMM's part in the national government. And that is a very, very important landmark; a very, very important part of our peace agreement."

In a Palace briefing, MNLF Chair Minister Muslimin Sema expressed his gratitude to the Marcos administration's resolve to complete all peace signed agreements during the President's term.

"We appreciate that. Dapat iyan talaga ang hinihintay ng Moro National Liberation Front, iyong pangako na … lalung-lalo nga ngayon sinabi na, no less than the President now is committing to implement all the signed agreements kasi iyon naman ang dahilan kung bakit kami napasama dito sa implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro on the commitment that all signed agreements will be implemented," he said. 

"So kami po ay nagpapasalamat. I think our people will see it a very …mabigat na utang na loob sa ating kasalukuyang Pangulo kung kaniyang … tulad ng kaniyang sinabi na he is committed to implement all signed peace agreements."

Sema adds that the MNLF is committed to uphold the gains of the peace process.

"If I may add, our relationship with the  Presidential Assistant OPAPRU, ay magsasabi na the MNLF is committed to uphold the gains of the peace process. Lahat po ng puwede naming magawa na mapanatili ang kapayapaan ay amin ng ginagawa, even without—kahit walang relations doon sa  napagkasunduan noon 1996 final peace agreement," he said. 

"The Secretary of OPAPRU is, I think witness to that, we have been working together and  I think we have had a lot of success in the past."

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