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Sunday 14 October 2012

Najib To Witness Signing Of Peace Framework Agreement Between Philippines, MILF

From R. Ravichandran

MANILA, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will arrive here tomorrow for a three-day official visit to the Philippines, where among others, he will witness the signing ceremony involving the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Framework Agreement for peace.

Briefing Malaysian reporters here Saturday, Charge d'Affaires of the Malaysian Embassy in the Philippines, Zakaria Nasir, said Najib, accompanied by wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, would have a tight schedule on Monday, beginning with the wreath-laying ceremony at Luneta Park (Rizal Park) here.

This will be followed by a welcoming ceremony/arrival honours at the Malacanang Palace grounds. The Palace is the official residence and the principle workplace of the Philippine president.

After signing the guest book at the palace's Reception Hall, Najib will proceed to a closed-door meeting with Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III at the President's Hall of the Malacanang Palace.

After that, Najib will lead the Malaysian delegation to an Expanded Bilateral Meeting which would be participated by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed at the President's Hall.

The meeting will be followed with a Joint Press Statement.

After attending the official luncheon hosted by Aquino, the prime minister and the president will witness the signing ceremony of the landmark GPH-MILF Framework Agreement at the Rizal Hall.

Najib is scheduled to deliver a speech, followed by Aquino, at the event.

The Malaysia-brokered peace agreement was announced simultaneously in Manila and Kuala Lumpur on Oct 7.

The framework agreement is a road map for establishing a new autonomous region to be administered by the Muslims in the nation's south, aimed at paving the way for a long, lasting peace after more than 40 years of conflict.

Najib, among others, in welcoming the agreement, had said that he was delighted that through this historic deal, the rights, dignity and future prosperity of the Bangsamoro people would be protected, while at the same time, the sovereignty and the Constitution of the Philippines would be preserved.

Zakaria said the prime minister would also attend a business dialogue with the Philippines-Malaysia Business Council, at a hotel here on Monday.

At 7.30pm, the prime minister and wife are scheduled to attend the 'Majlis Mesra Bersama Rakyat Malaysia' at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel here.

Zakaria said about 150 people, comprising Malaysian students, businessmen and their family members, would attend the event.

Najib and Rosmah are scheduled to depart for home on Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile on Monday, Rosmah, in a separate itinerary will deliver a speech at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati here.

Among dignitaries scheduled to attend the event are Kris Aquino, sister of the Philippine president, and AIM president Dr Stevan J. DeKrey.

Rosmah, who is an alumni of the institute, will also tour the AIM campus.

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