PH-MILF panels meet to tackle transition
SUPPORTERS and unarmed fighters of Moro rebels pass a checkpoint in Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao on July 6 for the rebels’ consultation on their peace talks with the Philippine government. JEOFFREY MAITEM/INQUIRER MINDANAO
ILIGAN CITY—The peace panels of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will meet anew in Kuala Lumpur on Monday in a bid to bring the 15-year negotiations nearer to conclusion, the MILF said.
The meeting takes place after a break in the monthly schedule last June, partly to give the MILF time to prepare for the Bangsamoro Leaders Assembly, which was held from July 6 to 9 in Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
For the MILF, Monday’s meeting would be an opportunity to thresh out issues stalling a consensus on the mechanics of a peace transition, Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator said.
Earlier, MILF chief Murad Ebrahim said the parties were “about to be in an impasse situation” on the issue of transition. “The formulations were too far apart,” Ebrahim said in describing the government and MILF positions.
However, with the backroom negotiations by the Malaysian facilitator, Murad said “a semblance of compromise has emerged.”
He revealed that Malaysian diplomat Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Bin Tengku Mohamed shuttled between the parties after the May meeting in an effort to reconcile their respective positions.
“We cannot conclude what will happen (on July 16 to 18), but we hope this ticklish issue of transition is ironed out,” Ebrahim said.
Iqbal said the issue of transition is ticklish because it defines the quality of political empowerment that the Bangsamoro people would attain as a result of a negotiated settlement.
Discussions on transition mechanisms include the fate of upcoming elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which has been synchronized with the national schedule beginning in 2013, he said.
The parties have earlier agreed to replace the ARMM with a new autonomous political entity with far greater powers consistent with the MILF’s demand for “genuine autonomy” in exchange for dropping its bid for an independent Bangsamoro state.
When he spoke before the Bangsamoro Leaders Assembly, Tengku expressed optimism that the parties would forge another breakthrough in the negotiations, a sequel to their highly lauded 10 Decision Points on Principles.
Chief government negotiator Marvic Leonen has targeted the signing of a peace pact within the year.
“Our final agreement should be simple but meaningful, and it should be signed within this year so that there is an opportunity to implement and assess and learn some more,” Leonen said.
By signing it this year, both parties will have ample time to adjust, Leonen added.
“We know that our national government, whom we represent at the negotiating table, is poised and ready to invest technically, politically and financially to achieve all these,” he said.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said what would be dished out in the negotiating table by the government panel enjoys the full backing of President Aquino and his Cabinet.
“The Panel does not bring empty or false promises to Kuala Lumpur. (It) goes … to every meeting with a fresh mandate from the President,” Deles said.
“Following the President’s instructions, the panel ensures that the appropriate departments and agencies have been properly consulted and have come on board,” she added.
Meanwhile, the MILF has released two government soldiers held by the rebels for “uncoordinated movement” on July 6 within the vicinity of Camp Darapanan, the rebel group’s administrative complex. July 6 was the kick-off of the four-day Bangsamoro Leaders Assembly.
Von al-Haq, MILF military spokesperson, told the Inquirer the two were nabbed separately; one inside the camp and the other at its entrance. In a statement, the MILF identified the soldiers as Sgt. Sammy Pasadilla of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, and Pfc. Jamer Maulana, a personnel for civil–military operations of the 603rd Brigade, which is under the 6th ID.
The two were turned over to Maj. General Abdul Raheem bin Mohammad Yusuff, head of mission of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), on
July 11.
“The two soldiers … did not resist when accosted by MILF security forces who were alerted earlier of the presence of suspicious-looking persons,” the rebel statement said. Ryan D. Rosauro, Inquirer Mindanao
