Esperon: Peace talks with MILF to proceed only if commanders are controlled

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Hermongenes Esperon Jr. maintained that peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) could only proceed if its rogue leaders are controlled.

Esperon said there will be no peace talks and negotiations until government troops have neutralized the rogue elements or the MILF surrenders its recalcitrant members and commanders.

“That’s our demand. We have asked them but it’s actually more of regaining control of the leadership, of all their men. Of course we have to settle also the legal, the criminal liabilities,” he added.

Esperon said the military and the police wanted to neutralize the MILF rogue commanders.

“That’s what the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police is doing because that’s the reason why we could not resume (the talks),” he said.

Esperon emphasized that they are trying to engage the MILF in dialogues and consultations with the other stakeholders, particularly residents in the areas involved.

“We will shift from dialogue with the armed groups to dialogue and consultations with the other stakeholders, the communities, so that’s what we are doing now. By doing that we hope we shall have complied with an important requirement for pushing through with the peace talks,” he clarified.

The peace talks between the government and the MILF have been stalled after various sectors questioned the plan for the signing of a memorandum of agreement for ancestral domain (MOA-AD).

The issue reached the Supreme Court.

Malacañang cancelled the signing of the MOA-AD after MILF leaders Abdulrahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo, Umbra Kato and Aleem Sulayman Pangalian attacked communities, murdered innocent civilians, burned and looted houses and farms.

Joints troops of the police and the military continue the manhunt against the three leaders and their members, who are facing at least 199 criminal charges for murder, robbery in band, arson, and other atrocities.

More funds needed

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said the AFP might need a minimum of six more battalions or 300 more soldiers to be deployed throughout the country.

Teodoro said they are still waiting for the approval of President Arroyo on the realignment of P1.8 billion of the P5-billion modernization fund to spend on fuel and bullets “in line with the current situation in Mindanao.”

The government has spent nearly P1 billion to counter the MILF band and to feed and provide shelter to more than half a million people displaced by the fighting in the last three months.

Teodoro told President Arroyo that plans to purchase tactical radio sets, sniper rifles, grenade launchers and Iroquois or “Huey” helicopters could be suspended.

“The budget allocated for this equipment could be re-aligned to support additional operational and intelligence requirements of the AFP for the 4th quarter of fiscal year 2008,” he said.

The government has been asking Congress for an extra P1 billion to cover the increase of gasoline prices this year.

It also needs another P1.7 billion to replenish stocks of mortar and artillery rounds used in fighting the MILF since mid-August. – Cecille Suerte Felipe Jaime Laude