MANILA—The government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels signed the Power Sharing Annex of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday.

Read Annex on Power Sharing

Annex on Power Sharing by Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

In a statement, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the agreement of both panels ensures autonomy for the Bangsamoro.

"The signing of the Annex on Power Sharing ensures the achievement of a genuine and viable autonomy for the Bangsamoro. It has been a very difficult round but we were able to overcome a lot of obstacles, showing the Parties' shared commitment to finish and deliver on our peoples' desire for peace," Deles said.

She added that the signing of the Power Sharing deal by the government and MILF peace panels is a "special gift of the Season for the Filipino people" and an indication of the nation's aspiration for lasting peace.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) also posted photos of the signing of the Power Sharing deal on its Twitter account.

Annex on power sharing signed! Photo by Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino III also congratulated both panels for the hard work that led to the signing of the Annex.

"Secretary Deles has confirmed that power sharing annex of Bangsamoro Framework Agreement has been agreed upon by both PH and MILF panels tonight in Kuala Lumpur. She said the President congratulated and thanked both panels," Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma said.

Now, only the Annex on Normalization or the laying down of arms remains to be signed in the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement.

MILF chief negotiator Mohager Iqbal expects the next round of negotiations next year will be as difficult as the Power Sharing and Wealth Sharing annexes.

"The road ahead is still full of twists and turns. We cannot afford to be complacent. God willing, the unflinching commitment of President Aquino, MILF Chair Murad, Malaysian President Najib Razak will define the success of this negotiation," he said.

On the other hand, the government peace panel expressed optimism and readiness on the future discussions and negotiations about the Normalization Annex.

"There remain challenges ahead but we are ready for that and looking forward to Annex on Normalization," said GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer.

Both panels thanked the Malaysian facilitators for accommodating the negotiations.—with reports from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News