Gov’t panel seeks early finish in talks with MILF
ILIGAN CITY—The government is expecting an early finish in peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), raising rosier prospects for an end to over four decades of Moro rebellion in Mindanao.
“On behalf of the government, let me now state this challenge: let us complete our task within the first quarter of next year,” said chief government negotiator Marvic Leonen in a statement at the opening of talks with the Moro rebels in Kuala Lumpur Monday morning.
After a three-month hiatus, full-panel talks resumed on Monday up to December 7.
Although he did not mention specifics, Leonen characterized a government-envisioned peace pact as reflecting “a genuine acknowledgment of history and a true understanding of the current and future needs of our peoples,” as well as “a framework for all parties to work with each other under a regime of mutual respect.”
When the government panel first met its MILF counterpart in February, both parties estimated one year as reasonable time to hammer out a political settlement.
Peace framework
Based on the Tripoli Agreement on Peace of 2001, the negotiating framework adopted by both parties, the only remaining subject of the talks is the formulation of a comprehensive compact that will embody the measures to address the so-called Bangsamoro question.
In July, the peace process received a boost with the meeting of President Aquino and MILF chief Murad Ebrahim in Tokyo. The two leaders agreed to fast-track negotiations so that a peace pact would be ready for implementation by 2013.
Negotiations entered into crucial straits in August when the government offered an “enhanced autonomy” as a starting point for a political settlement with the MILF. The rebel group has clamored for the creation of a Moro sub-state which it envisions as a special region with far greater political powers than the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Aided by back-channel talks personally overseen by Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, the parties are currently seeking opportunities to combine their respective formulations of a political settlement.
Practical issues
“Our view of a peace agreement is that it is one that can sincerely be implemented by the administration that promises it. Certainly, the grandest of our hopes can only be achieved if we start with the practical issues that can be accomplished today while dreaming of what our worlds will be in the future,” Leonen stressed.
“The grandest edifice can only rise by first addressing the mundane, by putting in place its cornerstones,” he added.
Leonen urged the MILF to join the government in bringing “political empowerment, economic development, ecological viability, cultural respect and democratic toleration” among the Moro people.
While expressing satisfaction “with the current ground conditions,” Leonen brought up the possibility of “revisit(ing) the operational procedures” of existing mechanisms in joint law enforcement and ceasefire coordination with the view of making some adjustments.
The review, he said, should emanate from the ceasefire committees. “Let us prove that our ceasefire mechanisms are not havens for kidnappers, murderers and terrorists,” he emphasized.
On October 18, 24 government soldiers were killed in a fierce encounter with MILF troops in Al-Barka town in Basilan. The troops were supposedly out on a law enforcement mission.
Leonen said the government wanted to see the MILF “show more of its commitment by more actively identifying and assisting in the arrest of many lawless elements.”
