Gov’t-MILF peace pact eyed before June 30

The government hopes to sign a peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front before President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo steps down on June 30. "We will not sign this in secrecy," Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Annabelle T. Abaya told a briefing on Sunday, adding that her office had just completed dialogues with stakeholders across the country, asking for their inputs in the ongoing peace process. Abaya made the assurance after the peace panels of the government and MILF concluded their talks in Kuala Lumpur last April 20 and 21. At the end of the two-day talks, the parties issued a joint statement signed by government panel chairman Ambassador Rafael Seguis, and MILF panel chief Mohagher Iqbal, in the presence of Malaysian observer Datuk Othman Bin Abd Razak. During recent talks, the panels said they had strengthened the peace process by suspending hostilities, helping the return of over 500,000 internally displaced persons, less than a fifth of whom remained in evacuation centers. They also said introducing more international and local bodies to bolster the talks, and improving security on the ground are critical in moving the peace forward and reaching a final comprehensive pact. The parties said draft proposals would be used to craft an interim document for negotiations to be held early next month. Discussions on how to protect civilians were referred to the mission head of the International Monitoring Team. The implementing guidelines on the clearing of landmines and unexploded ordnance were also discussed. The parties likewise agreed to mobilize technical and administrative resources to support the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) to boost its role in supporting emerging Bangsamoro leaders and professionals. — NPA, GMANews.TV