28 April 2015 - The Philippine Consulate General hosted a briefing by Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Chair of the Philippine Government Panel to the Peace Process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on April 17. 

The meeting was attended by members of the media, leaders from the Filipino community in particular the Mindanao groups. 

Philippine Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim, as moderator remarked that the public can gain a more informed opinion if they themselves read the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). He cited Professor Coronel-Ferrer’s extensive experience in the Mindanao Peace Process and conflict resolution and management and her efforts to promote the BBL to the local leaders and the Filipino people, thus making her a credible authority to explain the complex issues surrounding the BBL.

He also urged the members of the Mindanao groups to be stakeholders in the peace process by getting involved in small projects such as micro-financing in Mindanao.  He also encouraged active discussion in the political view of the BBL by expressing concerns through social networks.

Professor Coronel-Ferrer gave a briefing on the developments in the Mindanao Peace Process with the MILF and the BBL.  She clarified contentious issues and events related to the Mindanao Peace Process and the BBL, and stressed BBL’s importance in bringing peace and genuine economic development in areas it will cover.

She ended her talk by saying that pragmatism and sincerity between both the government and MILF sides pervaded throughout the negotiation, which of late, has suffered a major setback after the Mamasapano incident where almost 70 Filipinos died. 

After the meeting the audience thanked Professor Coronel-Ferrer for a briefing that enlightened them on the sensitive and controversial issues surrounding the BBL and the Peace Process. END