Govt-MILF mechanism vs crime groups extended

The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had agreed to extend for another 12 months the mandates of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG). The two panels reached the agreement at the conclusion of the 20th round of exploratory talks held in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 9 and 10. The Malaysia-led IMT checks the ceasefire on the ground during the peace negotiations, while the AHJAG is a mechanism that allows the government and the MILF to jointly go after criminal groups. Government and MILF peace panels conceived the mechanism on May 6, 2002 for the “interdiction and isolation of all criminal syndicates and kidnap for ransom groups, including so-called ‘lost commands’ operating in or near MILF areas." In several instances in the past, the mechanism was instrumental in solving a number of crimes, including kidnappings. In a joint statement, the two parties said they also tackled the MILF’s internal problem involving one of its commander, Ameril Umbra Kato, who reportedly resigned from the group, bringing with him some armed followers. The statement, however, did not elaborate on the discussions. The two parties also agreed to have another round of talks tentatively on March 29 to 30, also in Malaysia, which is acting as the third party facilitator in the talks. Marvic Leonen led the government delegation while Mohaqher Iqbal led the MILF team. Also during the meeting, the government panel updated the MILF on the government’s actions on the cases of 25 individuals claimed by the MILF to be political detainees, while the MILF panel presented the results of the consultations about the peace talks that they conducted among their members last Jan. 25 to Feb. 5. Leonen and Iqbal signed the joint statement, and Malaysian facilitator Datuk Othman bin Abd Razak as witness. The two parties also thanked President Benigno Aquino III for his commitment to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao, and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak for supporting the talks. — KBK, GMA News