MILF renews 'Bangsamoro' claims as peace talks resume

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has submitted for the Aquino administration's consideration a comprehensive document containing the group’s substantive positions – including some provisions similar to the controversial memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) that defines the Bangsamoro homeland. At a press briefing in Malacañang, Marvic Leonen – the government’s chief peace negotiator with the MILF – said the document was handed during the 20th formal exploratory talks held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last February 9-10. Leonen said he has yet to finish reading the inch-thick document, labeled by the MILF as a "comprehensive compact," which proposes the recognition of a Bangsamoro identity while maintaining the Filipino citizenship of inhabitants in the region. “The document submitted as the position of the MILF is not a document that seeks independence or secession from the Republic of the Philippines," he said. Last year, the MILF withdrew its demand for an independent state for the Bangsamoro people, and instead pushed for the creation of a "sub-state" that would still recognize the power of the "central government". While the government had welcomed the MILF's decision to no longer pursue its separatist claims, Leonen clarified that the government has yet to decide on its official position on the proposed creation of a sub-state. Nevertheless, Leonen said the recent MILF document defines a territory which is only seven to nine percent of Bangsamoro’s historical claims. “The MILF seeks a win-win solution to a century-old conflict," he added. Leonen further said that the MILF cannot be blamed for including in the comprehensive compact some of the provisions contained in the MOA-AD, which was declared as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court on Oct. 14, 2008. “That’s natural because they want that kind of a starting position," he said. He pointed out that the government will thoroughly review the comprehensive compact submitted by the MILF. “We received the document but clearly emphasized that we treat it as an exposition of their position rather than a working draft for the rest of the negotiating meetings," he said. “We intend to review it, relate to past documents, work with our principals – which also includes doing consultations with all those affected. This is the expectation of President Aquino who will give us the mandate before we state our position on the drafts presented," said Leonen. ‘Umbra Kato is part of problem’ Aside from the document, Leonen said both the government and the MILF agreed to review and amend the Terms of Reference of the International Monitoring Team and the Implementing Guidelines of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group for 12 months. (See: Govt-MILF mechanism vs crime groups extended) He said the government panel formalized its concern on the case of Commander Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), as well as its implication to the ceasefire and security situation on the ground. He said Chief MILF negotiator Mohagher Iqbal admitted at the start of the meeting that the “MILF has problems and Umbra Kato is part of the problem." In the joint statement, both panels said that the MILF discussed issues related to Kato. As a confidence-building measure, the government panel discussed the government’s positive actions on the cases of 25 individuals claimed by the MILF to be political detainees. Leonen said both parties agreed to fast track the peace process and set the next round of formal talks tentatively on March 29-30, 2011. To be discussed in the next meeting are some administrative issues and will also be time for queries from the government panel to clarify the position of the MILF. – MRT/JMA/JV, GMA News