Peace adviser to head gov’t panel in MILF talks
President Marcos has appointed presidential peace adviser Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento to head the government panel tasked to talk to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and revive the Bangsamoro peace process which has been put on hold for months, Palace press officer Claire Castro said on Wednesday.
Sarmiento is the sixth chair of the Government of the Philippines’ Peace Implementing Panel (GPH-PIP) to engage with the MILF in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
He replaces retired military general Cesar Yano, who resigned in February. Sarmiento is the first head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity to chair the GPH-PIP.
In a statement, he welcomed his concurrent appointment, saying it “provides a seamless alignment.” “These roles will complement one another as we accelerate our collective quest to advance the Bangsamoro peace process,” Sarmiento said.
