Government eyes 'settlement' with MILF in one year

Two days before the resumption of formal talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Philippine government said Monday that it plans to reach a "politically negotiated settlement" with the secessionist group within one year of negotiations. "We think if the MILF remains sincere and is open to being pragmatic but at the same time principled in their stance, one year is a reasonable period to come to a fundamental agreement on a politically negotiated settlement," chief government negotiator Marvic Leonen said. But he quickly stressed that the one-year period set by the Philippine government’s negotiating team is not a deadline, saying the formal talks "should allow the negotiating parties to adjust and accommodate." Leonen added that both parties have already "worked on" the agenda for the peace talks, which are set to resume on February 9 and 10 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Included in the agenda are the extension of the mandate of the International Monitoring Team tasked to maintain the ceasefire between the two groups, as well as the revival of the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute -- MILF’s training mechanism for Moro youth. Leonen likewise said the Philippine government expects the MILF to give a "full report" of its "internal problem" regarding the reported resignation of one of their ranking commanders, Ameril Umbra Kato, during the meeting. "The government is of course seriously concerned with this development... However, we would rather get clarification from their official representatives before we state our official position on this matter," he said. Kato, who led rebel forces in attacks in Central Mindanao in 2008, has reportedly bolted from the MILF and has taken with him several followers. The MILF has earlier downplayed these reports, saying that these would not affect the upcoming peace talks with the Philippine government. Negotiations between the government and the MILF, which started in 1997, hit a snag in 2008 when the Supreme Court barred the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the two parties that would’ve allowed for the expansion of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The junking of the agreement — and the subsequent SC ruling branding it as unconstitutional — triggered violent acts from several MILF rebel commanders. Subsequent discussions between the government and the MILF, however, resulted in an agreement to continue the negotiations under the Aquino administration. — RSJ/KBK, GMA News