By Zea Capistrano
DAVAO CITY - Mohagher Iqbal, chairperson of the Peace Implementing Panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has launched his book narrating his views of the Bangsamoro’s struggle for self-determination at the Al Nor Convention Center in Cotabato City on Sunday.
BOOK LAUNCHING: Moro Islamic Liberation Front Peace Implementing Panel Chairperson Mohagher Iqbal (center) launches his book that tells of the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination at the Al Nor Convention Center in Cotabato City on Sunday, December 2. (Photo courtesy of the MILF Media Office/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The book, entitled “Negotiating Peace: An Insider’s Perspective to the Bangsamoros' Struggle for Self-Determination,” compiles Mohagher’s chronologically-arranged speeches delivered from 2005 to 2016 as the MILF engaged in peace negotiation with the Philippine government.
“One may misconstrue this publication as nothing more than a vanity project. While it is true that I prepared and delivered these speeches, my words were guided by the principles invoked by the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation front from the time we engaged in the peace process with the Philippine government,” Iqbal said in a statement sent to the media.
The MILF also described the book as successfully capturing the historic events that shaped the peace talks. It added that the book launching does not only celebrate the milestones in the peace process, but it presents an “opportunity to call for collective support to the next steps in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).”
The Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS) which published the book added “the book launch is timely as it comes ahead of the plebiscite to decide on the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).” The plebiscite to ratify the BOL is scheduled in January next year.
Iqbal’s book will also be launched in Zamboanga City on December 12 and in Marawi City on December 15.