MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang is still optimistic that a peace agreement with the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) can be signed before President Arroyo’s term expires in June.
In an interview with Radyo ng Bayan, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the government peace panel, led by Ambassador Rafael Seguis, would be able to hammer out a win-win solution for all the parties involved in the peace talks.
“We are still optimistic that a win-win consensus can still be achieved in the process of consultation,” Remonde said.
Government peace panel member Ronald Adamat said it would be difficult to have a peace agreement signed between the government and the MILF before President Arroyo’s term ends on June 30 because most Mindanao provinces, even those grouped under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), are against the proposal of the MILF to expand autonomy in the South.
“We respect the opinion of Mr. Adamat but we are still very optimistic that the peace pact between the MILF and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines can be signed before the end of the term of President Arroyo,” Remonde said.
He said the MILF peace panel has shown sincerity in having a peace pact with the government.
President Arroyo wants the peace pact with the Moro rebels to be part of her administration’s legacy, like former President Fidel Ramos did with the peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front in 1996.
In 2008, the government came close to having a peace treaty signed after a memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain, considered the most difficult issue in the negotiations, was created.
However, the government scrapped the agreement after its constitutionality was questioned before the Supreme Court, which subsequently declared it unconstitutional.
The MILF responded by attacking civilian communities in Central Mindanao, breaking down the peace process.
After more than a year, the two sides have returned to the negotiating table.