Streamers and banners lined the dusty road to MILF camp Darapanan on the eve of the historic peace pact signing ceremony. Both Sabah and Mindanao will reap the peace dividend in the long-term as stability returns to the border areas and development takes place, benefiting both sides of the border.
THE pictures splashed over the newspapers says it all, the weary people of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), were in jubilant mood as representatives of the Philippine government and the largest of the separatist movements, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), signed a peace framework agreement earlier in the week in Manila to end 40 years of conflict.
The agreement is by no means the end of the process, which has seen several false dawns before. According to reports, a comprehensive agreement will be signed at the end of the year.
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
