MILF to members: Don’t be too optimistic about peace talks

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front cautioned its political and military leaders over the weekend not to be too optimistic about the upcoming resumption of its peace talks with the government. MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal made the warning at a consultation on the gains of the peace talks. “Don’t be too optimistic," Iqbal told some 800 consultation participants from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte, the MILF said in a report on its website Sunday. The MILF and government ceasefire committees, along with the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT), had agreed that the consultation would be conducted. Earlier, the government said it and the MILF will resume formal peace talks on Feb. 9 and 10, with the IMT, and that the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) — one of the bodies tasked to implement the ceasefire agreement between the two camps – 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. The MILF said delegates to its peace consultation went to Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao to attend the event. Iqbal noted the devil in the negotiation is in the details, and not in general statements which are not contentious. “One cannot simply say, ‘I am optimistic on signing an agreement with the government’ or simply dash hope on it .... Such attitude is plain and simple subjectivism," he said. Meanwhile, another MILF peace negotiator said that while he experienced dealing with capable government negotiators, no peace agreement had been signed. Maulana Bobby Alonto said this shows that while the personality of the negotiator is a factor, it cannot solely determine the outcome of the negotiation. “Maybe President Benigno Aquino III can be very objective this time," he added. — LBG, GMANews.TV