KUALA LUMPUR—The 33rd round of the peace negotiations between the Philippine government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ended Saturday, a day earlier than expected by both parties, but with “key points still unresolved.”
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal told the Inquirer in an interview after Saturday’s closing ceremony that there were “quite a number of issues” that had yet to be resolved in three crucial annexes regarding wealth sharing, power sharing and normalization.
But government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen said he was optimistic the panels would be able to wrap up a final comprehensive peace agreement when they meet again in December.
This was the first meeting of the peace negotiators since the historic signing of a Framework Agreement in Malacañang last month.
Both Leonen and Iqbal declined to identify the specific points that had yet to be resolved.
But Iqbal revealed there were at least eight issues to be resolved in the power-sharing annex, with a few more to be settled on wealth sharing.
“There are still remaining powers that are not yet settled
as far as competencies are concerned—whether they belong to the central government, the Bangsamoro or (would be subject to) joint jurisdiction,” Iqbal said.
“There are issues there that necessarily have to be brought back to the table,” he added.
But, generally, the mood at the six-day talks was positive and optimistic unlike previous negotiations.
Leonen said this round of talks was riding high on the “goodwill” established with the signing of the Framework Agreement.
The technical working groups (TWGs) putting together the three annexes completed their discussions and submitted their reports to the GPH and MILF panels.
Leonen said the “differences” or unresolved points in the proposals of the government and the MILF were identified.
“The principals need to make a decision (on the unresolved issues),” Leonen said, referring to President Aquino and MILF Chair Murad Ebrahim.
The chief negotiators have expressed satisfaction with the progress on the annex on normalization, which involves the decommissioning of arms and forces of the MILF, considering that it was in this round of talks that the technical working groups of both parties met for the first time.
“What is important is that the initial position of the government in response to the proposal of the MILF is quite encouraging. There are good points in consonance with our proposal. It’s a good starting point,” Iqbal said.
Both panels believed the TWGs made “substantial progress” in the three annexes.