Palace: ‘Spoilers’ will not affect GPH-MILF talks

Malacañang on Thursday expressed hope that the “spoilers" of peace talks as mentioned by the Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF) will not affect the ongoing negotiations between the government and the secessionist group. “None of them are part of the peace process and we live in a democracy and everybody has the right to air their opinion on the peace process," said Ricky Carandang, head of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO), at a press briefing. He was referring to the 10 personalities that the MILF identified as “spoilers" of the peace process. Among them were former President Joseph Estrada, Senator Francis Escudero, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, and several former and incumbent officials in Mindanao. The MILF said the motive of the 10 “is to undermine and destroy the peace process for their own selfish end." The individuals’ reactions toward the MILF’s proposal for the establishment of a Bangsamoro sub-state and the Aug. 4 Tokyo meeting between President Benigno Aquino III and MILF chairman Al Haj Murad were also factored in. “We know that the peace process as it moves forward will meet with some opposition so this is not a surprise," Carandang said. He said it will be the job of the government and MILF peace panels, if and when they reach an agreement, to deal with the personalities on the list. He also said the peace talks will continue despite the threat of renegade MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato to disrupt it. “Both sides, the Philippine government and the MILF, are committed to making this process move forward and we will work together to make sure that attempts to disrupt it will not succeed," Carandang said. Aside from the peace talks, Kato also warned of attacking the ongoing Balikatan exercises between Filipino soldiers and US forces in Maguindanao. Carandang said there is no need to augment government forces in Maguindanao amid Kato’s threat as there is sufficient security being provided for the US soldiers participating in the military drills. On reports that MILF officials were making contacts with different stakeholders, Carandang said it is important to get the support of the people on an undertaking that has been stalled for many years. “We are entering a peace process that has been stalled for the longest time because of large public opposition and I think both sides are aware, both the government and the MILF, that any agreement we reached has to have the support of the majority of the stakeholders and so this time around we are going to make sure that there is proper consultation," he said. — KBK, GMA News