MILF has 'restrained optimism' for peace talks

Guarded or "restrained" optimism will be the attitude of secessionist rebels in Mindanao when they resume formal peace talks with the government in February. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said Thursday that while peace talks had started well in the past, they would usually stall midway. "We have restrained optimism [because] we have vast experience in the past, na kahit nag-umpisa ang peace talks, sa bandang gitna o huli di naman gumaganda ang takbo," Iqbal said in an interview on dzRH radio. (We have restrained optimism about this because we have vast experience in the past, that while peace talks would start off well, it would turn bad midway or at the end.) He said they can only hope this time — the first formal peace talks under the Aquino administration — the talks will go much more smoothly. "We are hoping this time it will be for the best," he said. Earlier, the government said it and the MILF will resume formal peace talks on Feb. 9 and 10, with the International Monitoring Team and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) likely topping the agenda. Chief government negotiator Marvic Leonen also said the government affirmed the security guarantees previously agreed on and will issue identity cards to MILF members participating in the talks. Leonen added the government will "review individually" the cases of 25 such members allegedly in government custody. Malacañang earlier said on January 15 that while the government is reviewing the cases of the 25, there is no commitment that the detainees will be released. (See: Palace: No promise to free 25 MILF ‘political detainees’) Peace group: Talks to benefit Mindanao The upcoming resumption of peace talks between the government and rebel groups will benefit Mindanao by addressing the roots of “economic injustices" there, an interfaith group said. Initiatives for Peace (InPeace) said the talks can address Mindanao issues, including landlessness and exploitation of resources by foreign companies. "[We are] looking forward to a settlement on social and economic reforms," InPeace chief and Philippine Independent Church Bishop Felixberto Calang said in an interview posted on the Union of Catholic Asian News website. Apart from the government’s scheduled formal talks with the MILF on February 9-10, a separate set of government negotiators also expects to resume peace talks with the communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Oslo, Norway on February 15. “In Mindanao, where the majority of the people are peasants, and where national minorities are part of its cultural and social milieu, the talks are a most welcome venue to address issues close to our hearts," Calang said. He called on the people of Mindanao to voice their concerns during consultations that will be conducted by various parties ahead of the talks with both the MILF and the NDFP. Calang said InPeace will launch peace forums to reach out to grassroots levels to put forward their agenda for the talks. Also, he urged people to look into the issue of human rights violations and the presence of American troops in the southern Philippines. “We must do our part as stakeholders of peace and push the agenda of social justice," he said.—JV, GMANews.TV