Government-MILF Talks Resume Today in Malaysia

PhilStar.com
By Delon Porcalla

Peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will resume today in Malaysia, more than two weeks after the meeting between President Aquino and MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ibrahim in Japan.

The MILF is expected to offer its proposal for a sub-state in Mindanao, which some of its leaders say is a “reframed” version of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) that the Supreme Court struck down in 2008.

The government peace panel, led by Marvic Leonen, is also expected to make its counter-offer.

The GPH and the MILF peace panels are scheduled to meet today until Aug. 24 in Kuala Lumpur for their 22nd formal exploratory talks.

“The net effect of these peace talks is that we will be able to submit our proposal, and the issue with regard to the real status of (renegade MILF leader Ameril) Umbra Kato will also be discussed,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Valte said the consequences of a lost command in the MILF, like that of Kato’s Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) will be raised during the talks.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the issue on Kato would be definitely discussed by both panels.

Deles noted the issue on Kato could jeopardize the peace talks.

Kato, who was a senior commander of the MILF, took about 300 of his men to continue the 33-year Islamist insurgency that has claimed some 150,000 lives.

Kato rejected the talks and accused his former comrades of abandoning the fight for an independent Muslim homeland in Mindanao.

While the government action on Kato would hinge on the MILF’s explanation of how it was planning to deal with his faction, Deles said a military response was possible.

She said the government may invoke an earlier agreement with the MILF calling on both parties to help each other arrest or capture lawless elements operating in areas under its control.

After weeks of denying dissent among its ranks, the MILF described Kato and his BIFF on Friday as a “lost command” – a term it uses for former guerrillas who no longer follow its orders and operating on its own.

“Government action will depend on what they explain his (Kato’s) exact status is,” Deles said.

“Assuming that we all know what ‘lost command’ means, the government may invoke the ad hoc joint action group,” Deles said.

Kato was among the hard line MILF leaders who led large-scale attacks across Mindanao in August 2008 after the Supreme Court outlawed the MOA-AD that could have given the MILF control over an expanded autonomous region.

About 400 people died and some 750,000 were displaced from their homes in that attack.

Deles also clarified President Aquino will not sign any peace accord with the MILF that the government cannot implement.

“The President’s order for the government’s peace panel is negotiate with the MILF based on the Constitution and its flexibilities,” Deles said.

“The President will not sign anything the government cannot implement,” she stressed.

Deles noted the argument of some sectors that the MILF’s proposal for a “sub-state” deals with more comprehensive fiscal, political and administrative powers than the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Local sectors are optimistic of a fruitful outcome of today’s talks in Malaysia.

Many Muslims attended last Friday’s obligatory worship rites in many mosques in Mindanao with special prayers for a positive result of the meeting.

Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe on Friday expressed optimism on the outcome of the peace talks.

“Fighting does not foster harmony among people,” said Urabe after inspecting the infrastructure projects funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency inside the 32-hectare ARMM compound in Cotabato City.

Urabe said Tokyo also wanted the peace talks to succeed.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda acknowledged the strong showing of support and the positive indication of a peace constituency, most especially in Mindanao.

“This hopefulness points to strong public support for the President’s policy of achieving peace in Mindanao on a basis that takes into account justice for all concerned, whether they be Moros, Christians, or Lumads,” he said.

“It is no coincidence that optimism for peace between the government and the MILF is highest in Mindanao, at 59 percent, where everyone knows full well, how much there is to gain by achieving peace,” Lacierda said in a statement. – With John Unson

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