By Ben Cal, PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

The Framework Agreement forged between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) continues to gain popular support among the people in Mindanao, including those who opposed the unsigned Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in 2008, according to Mujiv Hataman, officer-in-charge of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

He said the fact that even those who opposed the controversial MOA-AD, which was declared by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional, are now supportive of the Framework Agreement is an indication that the Aquino administration has been observing transparency in the peace process.

The framework, which was forged by the GPH and MILF peace panels at the 32nd exploratory peace talks in Kuala Lumpur last week, will be formally signed in Malacañang on Oct. 15.

Hataman said that as a show of support by ARMM officials and various sectors, a vigil will be held at Mendiola Peace Arch in Manila on Sunday evening until the signing of the framework agreement the following day.

He said that the ARMM government has started explaining to the people the Framework Agreement.

“There should be an objective explanation of the agreement so people can decide objectively when the plebiscite comes,” he said.

Hataman told the people not to worry about the Bangsamoro entity that is proposed to replace the current ARMM as laid down in the Framework Agreement.

“Don’t worry, there will be plebiscite,” he said, referring to the proposed Bangsamoro areas.

A 15-member Transition Commission (TC) will be formed through an Executive Order to be issued by President Benigno S. Aquino III. The TC will draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law.