OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (PNA file photo)
MANILA – The signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has heralded the start of peace and development in the region, said Secretary Carlito Galvez, of the Office of the Presidential Adviser Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), on Wednesday.
"With the signing of the CAB a decade ago, the GPH and the MILF embarked on a historic journey that has brought us closer to our shared goal of fostering greater peace, development and stability in the region," Galvez said in his message on the 10th anniversary of the CAB signing.
Galvez also said the pact has dramatically transformed the socioeconomic and socio-political landscape of the Bangsamoro region and the rest of Mindanao.
"The 10th anniversary of the CAB is a celebration of what we have achieved and a reaffirmation of our pledge to continue building a future anchored on peace, prosperity, and solidarity for all. Together, as we stand united in purpose and action, we can ensure that this beacon of hope will shine brighter than ever," the OPAPRU chief emphasized.
He added that the agreement paved the way for a future filled with hope and the promise of a better life for the Bangsamoro people and all Filipinos.
"The establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has been a cornerstone achievement under the CAB, providing a framework for governance that respects the diversity and rights of its people while fostering an environment conducive to economic growth, social equity, and peace," the OPAPRU chief stressed.
Galvez also said progress in the decommissioning process, the strengthening of democratic institutions, and the implementation of development programs aimed at uplifting the living conditions of "our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters" are all major accomplishments that have contributed greatly to the normalization process for MILF combatants, their families and communities.
"As we look to the future, let us remember that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, opportunity, and understanding. We must nurture and defend this peace, build bridges where walls once stood, and forge a path of progress that honors the sacrifices of Bangsamoro brothers and sisters to build a better and brighter tomorrow," he added. (PNA)
