For peace with MILF, govt cites conditions for Charter change

A day after saying that the Aquino administration is open to amending the 1987 Constitution in its peace efforts with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), negotiators cited the government’s three conditions for Charter change (Cha-cha): necessity, feasibility and acceptability." Chief government negotiator Marvic Leonen said the administration will be open to changing the Constitution to resolve issues with the MILF as long as these amendments are necessary, feasible, and acceptable. "In the ultimate analysis titingnan natin ang necessity, feasibility at acceptability sa pagbabago ng Saligang Batas. Hindi biro ang pagbabago ng ating Saligang Batas (In the ultimate analysis, we will look into the necessity, feasibility and acceptability of amending the Constitution. Introducing amendments to the Charter is no joke)," Leonen said in an interview on dwIZ radio. He added that any amendment will be the result of exhaustive consultations not only with the MILF but with the other concerned sectors. On Monday, Leonen told a foreign correspondents’ forum that the government is open to amending the Philippine Constitution to reach an elusive peace settlement with the MILF. (See: Negotiator: For peace with MILF, Aquino open to Charter change) However, Leonen stressed that amendments to the Charter will also depend on the concerns brought up during negotiations with the MILF. He added the 1987 Constitution provides many opportunities for a politically negotiated settlement. "They are not negotiating for independence but for the highest form of autonomy," he noted. "Hindi nangangahulugan na kaagad bukas doon sa pag-amyenda ng Constitution dahil kailangan namin malaman eksakto kung ano ang recommendation o panukalang ibibigay ng MILF (Amending the Constitution is not automatic. We have to know what exactly the MILF negotiating panel wants or recommends)," he said. Talks after Ramadan Meanwhile, Leonen said the government panel is now studying various agreements reached with the MILF during past administrations. He said these include the agreement on the general cessation on hostilities, on humanitarian and rehabilitation concerns, civilian protection, and even socio-economic programs. Leonen also maintained they are ready to resume talks with the MILF in September, once the holy Muslim month of Ramadan ends. "Kami mismo prepared to start negotiations. We are here to find a solution immediately, wala tayong delaying tactic (We are here to find a solution immediately, with no delaying tactic)," he said. He also reiterated there will be no repeat of the legal debacle in 2008 involving a memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD), which the Supreme Court eventually thumbed down. The rejection of the MOA-AD triggered a series of clashes between the MILF and government forces in 2008. "We learned from that mistake. Siguro kailangan i-emphasize iba na ang pangulo natin at iba ang motive ng pamahalaan na ito. Maliwanag may criticism sa pag-handle ng peace talks noong nakaraan (We learned from that mistake. And I have to emphasize this is a new government, with a different motive. We learned from the criticisms in handling peace talks in the past)," he said. – VVP/RSJ, GMANews.TV