Transparency assured in GRP-MILF talks

The government’s chief negotiator with Moro rebels has assured the public of full transparency before any agreement is signed. “We will not sign anything without your knowledge," said Ambassador Rafael Seguis, chairman of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) peace panel that is talking with the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “We will make sure to consult you on matters discussed at the negotiating table because you are the stakeholders," Seguis added. Seguis made the promise in front of thousands of peace activists who attended a forum in Piagkawayan, North Cotabato last Monday. The forum, “Peace Power Day: State of the Peace Talks Addressed," was organized by the Mindanao Peace Caucus in light of the allegations by North Cotabato vice governor Manny Piñol that the government is about to sign an interim peace agreement with the MILF. Piñol, along with other North Cotabato officials, last week formally asked the Supreme Court to stop the government from inking a deal with the rebels. Seguis, however, said Piñol’s allegations have no basis since no interim agreement has been crafted yet. He said both parties have yet to discuss the drafts they have presented at the 18th exploratory talks held in Kuala Lumpur April 21. The peace talks resumed on December 8, 2009 after negotiations broke down in August 2008 following the aborted signing of the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD). The agreement, which was ruled as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, would’ve led to the creation of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, which has powers to set up its own security, trade, education, elections, and the right to explore and develop natural resources in the said territory. The Supreme Court decision on MOA-AD triggered renewed hostilities between government forces and MILF forces in Central Mindanao after rebel units attacked civilian communities there. — KBK, GMANews.TV