Government, MILF panels meet in Cotobato today

DAVAO CITY – Peace negotiators of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are set to meet today to discuss the Philippines-United States military exercises, Balikatan 2002, and the recent spate of kidnappings in Central Mindanao.

Jesus Dureza, presidential assistant for Mindanao and chief government negotiator, told The STAR yesterday the government–MILF joint committee on cessation of hostilities will take up several security matters, including the ceasefire agreement at the Estosan Hotel in Cotabato City.

"We have in our agenda ... the matter on the local monitoring teams (LMTs) but we have also included the ongoing joint military exercises in Zamboanga City and in Basilan and its implications on the peace talks with the MILF," he said.

Meanwhile, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said they have agreed with a proposal of retired Lt. Gen. Eduardo Ermita, presidential adviser on the peace process, that MILF camps and positions in Basilan be identified to prevent any misencounter between MILF fighters, and Filipino and American troops taking part in Balikatan.

"We have agreed to Ermita’s proposal because it is in accordance with article 2, paragraph 4 of the ceasefire agreement of Aug. 7 last year," he said.

Close to 660 US troops are set to join Balikatan which is expected to last for six months.

Dureza said the government and MNLF panels will also talk about the upsurge of kidnappings in Southern and Central Mindanao, the latest of which was the snatching of a South Korean businessman and a Filipino hotelier in General Santos City.

Police said several MILF commanders are behind the kidnappings following reports that the victims have been held captive in known MILF-controlled areas like Liguasan Marsh and Camp Rajah Muhdah in Pikit, North Cotabato.

However, the MILF leadership has denied the allegations and accused renegade commanders of the Moro National Liberation Front to be leaders of the kidnap gangs.

Dureza said the two panels would decide today when formal talks would resume after being stalled over the question of who will spearhead the rehabilitation and development of war-torn areas in Central Mindanao.

Kabalu said they are holding "back-channel" talks to resolve the matter and that formal negotiations could be resumed within the first quarter of the year or next month. – Edith Regalado