MILF rejection ‘embarrassing’ after Aquino-Murad meet — solon

President Benigno Aquino III needs better briefing on the implications of his actions on the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), an opposition lawmaker said Wednesday. Deputy Minority Leader Milagros Magsaysay said it is “embarrassing" for the Philippines government’s proposal to the MILF to be rejected after Aquino himself met with the secessionist group’s leader, Al Haj Murad, earlier this month. “Kung ikaw na ang Presidente tapos ni-reject ka ng MILF, there is nobody higher [who] can talk to these people anymore. Who do you expect now to intercede?" she said at a press briefing. She added that Aquino should have been better advised on how his meeting with Murad will affect the peace talks. “Siguro next time, sana ‘yung political advisers ni President Aquino should brief him very well as far as the consequences of his actions," she said. The MILF rejected the Philippine government’s proposal regarding the secessionist group’s demand for a “sub-state" after talks between the two parties resumed earlier this week. Aquino and Murad discussed about the MILF’s “sub-state proposal" in a meeting in Japan last August 4. House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said that the rejection of the government proposal proves that talks with the MILF will not be an easy process. “Definitely, the perception of the administration that this will be easy and expeditious is not born out by these events," he said. He likewise urged the peace panel to submit to Congress a copy of the government proposal “in the spirit of transparency." — KBK, GMA News