Lady peace negotiator hopeful of peace process outcome sans Mamapasano incident

MANILA (PNA) -- When the going gets tough, the tough gets going!”These words were uttered by Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, the diminutive but strong-willed chair of the government peace panel, negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) amidst the continuing backlash from various sectors in connection with the Mamapasano incident that killed 44 police commandos during a 11-hour intense fighting between government forces and Muslim rebels in the remote town of Mamapasano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.Ferrer made the statement at the book launching of two new books published by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Getting to Peace” and In Defense of the Draft Bangsamoro” held at the Baluarte de San Diego Gardens in Intramuros, Manila on Friday.She appealed to the Filipino people to support the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) now pending before Congress that would address the centuries-old Mindanao conflict.The BBL has been put at risk of being derailed following the massacre of 44 police commandos of the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) out to serve a warrant of arrest for wanted international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan hiding in Mamapasano town.The SAF troopers were returning to base after killing Marwan when they were ambushed by combined forces of the MILF.The police commandos fought up a gallant fight but they were outnumbered by the combined forces of the MILF, the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and other armed groups in Maguindanao. The fighting lasted for 11 hours.Ferrer said what has been started in the peace process must be pushed through, adding that the attendance of guests invited to the book launching was proof that there many Filipinos who have not lost their determination to find a lasting solution to the long-drawn Mindanao conflict.She said that since she assumed as the government chief negotiator negotiating with the MILF during the past three years was tough.Ferrer recalled that during these negotiations various sectors, including representatives of foreign government, non-government organizations (NGOs), legislators from both houses of Congress, Cabinet officials and leaders of civil society groups, and others have expressed their support for the peace process.The twin book launching coincided with the first anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).Ferrer said that the CAB was a product of long studies and consultations, debates and discussions with various leaders and sectors, saying it did not happen overnight. It was not rushed. It had undergone many trials.”The CAB was signed on March 27, 2014 after 17 years of tough negotiations. The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which aims to establish a new political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), would be the enabling law that would implement the CAB. (PNA)RMA/RBC/RSM