GRP-MILF peace process back on track in KL

Negotiators for the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Wednesday re-established contact in Kuala Lumpur in hopes to end the year-long impasse in the peace talks. A joint statement was signed at the conclusion of the two-day meeting, affirming the commitment to sustain the suspension of military operations that both parties declared last week. Rafael Seguis and Mohaqher Iqbal, chief negotiators for the government and the MILF, respectively, signed the joint statement. Chief Malaysian facilitator Dato Othman bin Razak arranged and presided over the meeting. Government peace panel spokesman Bong Montesa described the meeting as “cordial and ended on a high note." Montesa said that during the meeting, both parties expressed “their common desire to restore trust and confidence in addressing major issues that will pave the way for the early resumption of the stalled peace negotiations." Negotiations between the government and the MILF, the largest secessionist organization in the country, collapsed August last year after both sides failed to sign the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD). Ancestral domain In the joint statement, the two parties acknowledged the MOA-AD “as an initialed and yet, unsigned document with both parties agreeing to reframe the consensus points and move towards a final peace agreement." The MOA-AD, which the Supreme Court ruled as unconstitutional, sought the expansion of coverage of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) under the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, which is empowered to set up its own courts, security, trade, education, elections as well as the right to explore and develop natural resources in its territory. The non-signing of the agreement had prompted three MILF commanders and their men to launch a series of deadly attacks on mostly Christian communities in Central Mindanao. The government has filed criminal charges against MILF leaders Abdullah “Bravo" Macapaar, Alim Ali Pangalian and Ameril Umbra Kato, who were blamed for the bloodshed. Montesa said Sequis “took serious note" of the concern of the MILF on the implication of the exclusion from the SOMO of “some MILF commanders" tagged as “rogues" by the government. He said both parties also agreed to work for frameworks that will establish a mechanism designed to protect non-combatants in armed conflict and establish an International Contact Group (ICG) of states and non-state organizations that would accompany and mobilize international support for the peace process. “While we are happy that the Talks are back on track, the challenge to bring a durable peace in Mindanao remains. Let us not waver in our commitment and resolve to finish the task," Montesa said. A final peace agreement between the two sides would end 40 years of Moro rebellion in Mindanao. - GMANews.TV