Malacañang still mum on MILF 'sub-state' proposal

Amid the questions surrounding the matter, Malacañang is not keen on commenting on the creation of a Bangsamoro "sub-state" being proposed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as one of the talking points in the forthcoming formal talks with the government. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on Saturday said it is too early to discuss the MILF sub-state bid as the formal talks have not resumed yet. “The talks have not taken place yet. I think at this point it’s too early to talk about the details. Siguro po mas mabuting hintayin po muna natin yung pagsisimula ng pag-uusap...," she said on government-run dzRB radio. Earlier, former President Joseph Estrada urged President Benigno Aquino III to be wary of the MILF during negotiations for a sub-state. Reports quoted Estrada as saying the sub-state may have similar implications as the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) that the Supreme Court rejected in 2008 as unconstitutional. Similarly, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad said he is wary of the proposal as it is within the context of the MOA-AD. On Thursday, former North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol also questioned the government’s negotiating with the MILF over the supposed sub-state. But Valte said, "At this point we do not want to negotiate with the MILF through the media, where each side airs its position. It would be better if we bring the talks to the negotiating table." — LBG, GMA News