A Bangsamoro Women Leaders’ Forum on the Peace Process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was held on November 10, 2011 at Community Training and Resource Center, KFI Compound, Cotabato City organized by Moro Women Development and Cultural Center, Inc. (MWDECC). It was participated by 13 civil society organizations composed of Bangsamoro, Indigenous People (IP) and Settlers coming from Maguindanao and Cotabato City. Some International NGOs were also present in the activity.

The objectives of the forum are: (1) to provide an open space for Bangsamoro Women Leaders to discuss how they can actively support the Peace Process, and (2) help advocate the call for the GPH and MILF peace panels to fast tract the negotiation and signing of a peace agreement that will be truly responsive to the Bangsamoro Problem. Its theme is: “Advancing Peace Process through Women’s Participation”.

At the end of the said activity, a Statement of Support to the Peace Process was adopted to be submitted to the peace panels. They said that they are acknowledging the supremacy of a peaceful resolution to the Mindanao conflict. They urged the GPH and the MILF to fast tract the signing of a political settlement to resolve the Bangsamoro problem.

“We call on the GPH to exercise its full authority and consider the creation of a Bangsamoro Sub-state as a solution to address the long standing instability in Mindanao. The Sub-state encompasses the recognition of the rights of all people in Mindanao including the Indigenous People and the Non-Muslims,” they said.

“We, therefore, call on all national and local leaders in the government, the civil society organizations, concerned agencies, institutions and individuals to join us in strongly urging the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the MILF to fast tract the signing of a political settlement to once and for all resolve the Bangsamoro Problem,” they added.