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P5M given to MILF meant for Moro leaders' training — govt


Government officials on Monday clarified that the P5-million check given to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was intended to jump-start the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI), a training center for Bangsamoro leaders and managers who will be serving their communities in the future. “The P5 million is a commitment made by the previous administration. It is intended to fast-track the establishment of the institute," said Marvic Leonen, the government’s chief negotiator in the peace talks with the MILF, in a statement. Leonen said he personally handed the P5-million check to MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ibrahim during their last round of formal exploratory talks on August 22-23 in Kuala Lumpur. The awarding of the check was announced during the Aug. 23 press conference held by the government panel following the meeting in the Malaysian capital. Malicious text messages Leonen came up with the statement after text messages circulated insinuating that President Benigno Aquino III gave P5 million to the MILF, which is accused of attacking government soldiers last week, resulting in the deaths of over two dozen soldiers, despite the ceasefire agreement in connection with the peace talks. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda earlier noted that the text messages came at a time when many Filipinos are still angry over the death of 19 soldiers in a clash with the MILF in Basilan province. He described the text messages as "malicious." "I have talked to the President about these text messages. These text messages are malicious, and sent at a time soldiers are angry," he said in an interview on dzBB radio on Wednesday. Full accounting Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles said the government expects the MILF to account for the P5-million aid, which she said came from the President's Social Fund. “If they (MILF) signed a receipt for the fund, they know the requirement that the fund will be audited. Usually you give them one year to account for the amount," she said in Filipino in a separate interview on dzBB radio. When asked if the MILF is required to account for the amount, she said, "It should, after one year. We shall see." Lacierda echoed this. "The government through Dean Marvic Leonen is asking for accountability. We will be expecting some report on the outcome of the five million, where it went," he said. "We hope that the MILF will also clarify this part," he added. BLMI Leonen said the establishment of BLMI was discussed during negotiations at the 10th Formal Exploratory Talks in February 2006 and was finalized and formally agreed upon during the 14th formal exploratory talks held on Nov. 14-15, 2007, with funding commitment from the Philippine government to jump-start the institute's operations. BLMI was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which enabled it to receive assistance from donor institutions such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA gave funds for the construction of the building that will house the institute. In 2000, Asia Foundation provided support for a series of workshops to draw up the vision and organizational structure of the BLMI. Leonen said President Aquino approved the appropriation for the BLMI during the consultation with the panel early this year. “During his one-on-one meeting with MILF chair Murad in Tokyo last August 5, the President again expressed his support to the BLMI. He then instructed the peace panel to hand the check to the Moro group," he said. Government still for peace Leonen stressed that the government will remain steadfast in finding a peaceful solution to the armed conflict. “We will not let false reports undermine the peace process. I urge the public to stay heedful of what is happening and analytical of the information that they receive," Leonen said. President Aquino had already thumbed down proposals for an all-out war against the MILF following recent atrocities in several areas in Mindanao blamed on the rebel group. Instead, he said his administration will pursue "all-out justice," which means pursuit operations will be conducted against lawless elements, even those linking themselves to the MILF. - KBK, GMA News

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