The Philippines' largest militant group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said that 2014 is a "crucial year" for the peace process.The MILF said the year 2014 is a time for both they and the government "to make hard and eventful decisions, which are political milestones in their talks that would ensure the establishment of the Bangsamoro government in 2016.
"Within the first quarter of this year, the parties must sign the comprehensive peace agreement to enable the Bangsamoro Transition Commission to finish the final draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law for submission to President Benigno Aquino III, who will certify it as urgent bill in order to give just enough space and time for Congress to pass it into law," it said.
"Failure to do so will make the future gloomy," it added.