This book is more than just the personal journey of the lead negotiator who signed on behalf of the Philippine government the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. It also offers insights into the intricacies of a difficult political process, the ways and means by which it was approached, and how complicated issues were resolved in the midst of intermittent explosions of violence and vacillating public opinion. Practitioners, analysts, scholars, and advocates will find a good resource on a range of themes that confound all mediation and peace processes: the role of third parties, process design, inclusion of women and the minorities within minorities, ceasefires, and the combination of implementation, monitoring, and verification mechanisms that are crucial to sustaining the endeavor, building trust every step of the way, and the search for common ground. Last but not least, its descriptive accounts from one chapter to the next bring to life the fervor of those from all sides who invested their will and leadership, persisted with goodwill and integrity, and continued to believe that a just and comprehensive peace agreement must and can be reached.

1. Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. 2. Muslim ? Philippines ? Political activity. 3. Peace-building process ? Philippines ? Mindanao. 4. Muslim ? Philippines ? Mindanao ? Social conditions. 5. Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Island (Philippines) ? Politic and government. 6. Mindanao Island (Philippines) ? History ? Autonomy and Independence movements.