The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that they welcomed the adoption of the Bangsamoro Organic Law [BOL], which envisages a wide range of autonomy for Muslim Moro people living in the south of the Philippines.

We welcome that the Bangsamoro Organic Law, establishing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the southern Philippines, was adopted by people of the region according to the official results of the referendum," the statement read.

Adding that this development is of utmost importance to end the decades-long conflict and for the establishment of a final, just and lasting peace in the region, the statement read that: "We appreciate the devoted efforts of the Government of Philippines, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and other stakeholders for achieving this milestone for the Southern Philippines Peace Process."

"Turkiye has actively supported the Southern Philippines Peace Process through leading the Independent Decommissioning Body since its inception in 2014 within the framework of the consensus reached by the Government of Philippines and the MILF."

At the end of the statement, the ministry said: "We will continue contributing to the successful completion of the Peace Process."

ILKHA