Palace finalizes preparations for historic
signing of Framework Agreement with MILF
Malacanang
continues to finalize the preparations for the signing of the Framework
Agreement with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) saying more 100
representatives from the group are expected to go to Malacanang for the
historic event on Monday.
In a
radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, Deputy Presidential
Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the preparations are in full swing for Monday’s
ceremony. The Framework Agreement will be signed 1:30 p.m. at the Palace’s
Rizal Hall, she said.
Immediately
after the signing, Valte said government chief peace negotiator Marvic Leonen
and the MILF negotiator Mohaguer Iqbal will hold a press briefing at the New
Executive Building.
Valte
announced that Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will be
arriving Sunday. Prime Minister Razak and President Benigno S. Aquino III will
hold a bilateral meeting 10 a.m. on Monday. In the afternoon, the Malaysian
Prime Minister will be meeting with the Philippine-Malaysia Business Council.
A peace
caravan, composed of civil society organizations, is also expected to arrive in
Manila from Mindanao Sunday afternoon, Valte said. The peace caravan, called
“Lakbay Kalinaw,” is composed of 50 vehicles of peace advocates.
Participants in the caravan have converged in
Cotabato and Marawi City proceeding to Surigao. They will travel from Mindanao
crossing Samar and Leyte and arrive in Manila Sunday afternoon, she said. The
group will hold a vigil in Mendiola in Manila, she added.
The peace
advocates joining the caravan helped monitor the peace process while both the
government and MILF were holding dialogues in Malaysia.
Apart
from monitoring the ceasefire agreement, the civil society organizations
assisted the government in providing shelter to families who were displaced by
the conflict.
“They are
the ones who are consistently encouraging both parties to continue with the
peace dialogue,” Valte said.
Reacting
to the call of the local government of Zamboanga to delay the signing of the
peace agreement to clarify some issues, Valte said the peace panel will explain
the provisions of the new peace pact.
“Kung
merong mga probisyon na hindi malinaw ay bukas ang ating peace panel...sa
pagpapatuloy ng paglilinaw ng mga ito,” Valte said.
The
government and the MILF agreed on a Framework Agreement that put an end to 40
years of Muslim rebellion in the south. After the agreement is signed President
Aquino is expected to issue an order creating a Transition Commission that will
work on the implementation of the peace deal. PND (as/12:43pm)
Palace says security measures in place following
San Juan blast, investigation continues
Malacanang said the government is exerting all
necessary efforts to maintain peace and order in the country following a blast
in San Juan City, on Saturday morning.
In an
interview over government-run radio station DzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Saturday,
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte assured that the Philippine
National Police (PNP) is conducting a thorough investigation to identify those
responsible for the latest violent incident and ensure the safety of the
people.
“Ang
magandang balita po diyan ay negative na
nagkaroon ng injuries to persons, damage to property po ang meron doon.
Nagco-conduct na ang explosive division ng San Juan ng kanilang investigation,”
Valte said.
When
asked on the government’s security preparations for the upcoming visit of
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the country, Valte said
that although there are no terror threats gathered, the PNP has been on full alert status to
ensure the safety of the visiting head of state.
“Katulad
po nang sinabi ng spokesperson ng PNP,
si General (Generoso) Cerbo, ay walang information that there are threats but
that ps the standard procedure that we conduct whenever we have heads of state
or foreign officials who will be visiting the country. So naka-alerto ang PNP
ready to provide the security that is necessary,” Valte noted.
Prime
Minister Rajib will be arriving in the country on Sunday to meet with President
Aquino and to witness the historic signing of the Framework Agreement between
the government peace panel and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the
creation of the Bangsamoro on Monday afternoon.
Recent
reports revealed that a fragmentation grenade exploded 1:15am Saturday at the
basement office of LK Global Holdings Corporation in Bonaventure Plaza, Ortigas Avenue in San Juan.
Initial
investigations by the police claimed that the explosion is an isolated case and
the intention to cause panic especially to Greenhills shoppers is far-fetched.
The PNP
assured police visibility in the area especially now that the yuletide season
draws near. PND (jcl/1:30 p.m.)
