MILF rejects autonomy offer

MANILA, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)’s peace panel has rejected the government’s proposal to give them autonomy rather than a sub-state, but the government said despite the impasse, this development would signal the start of public debates on “sub-state versus autonomy.”

Government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen, who was still in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, said in a teleconference with Malacañang reporters that the formal exploratory talks also ended a day ahead of schedule because the MILF panel decided yesterday morning to recommend the rejection of the Philippine proposal to their central committee.

The talks were set last Monday until today.

Leonen and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles, who was in Malacañang, said such development was expected, like in any negotiation, because the MILF was expecting something more, but it did not get the word “sub-state” in any part of the proposal.

Leonen said they could only offer a framework within the bounds of the current Constitution and with approval from Congress, unlike the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain agreed upon during the Arroyo administration, which was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

He also talked about the possible “transformation” of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), but stressed he could not discuss “expanding” or “shrinking” its territory to accommodate the MILF.

He said an “organic act” to be passed by Congress would have to be tackled by the two sides.

“The initial proposal does not contain anything about changes in the Constitution,” Leonen told reporters.

He said the government’s proposal to the MILF was “honestly different,” but the Philippines’ three-for-one proposal is the result of the panel’s extensive consultations with the different stakeholders in the Mindanao peace process and “also is the mandate of the President of the Republic.”

He explained that the proposal was “principled, realistic and practical” and included massive social services and economic development; political settlement with the MILF; and cultural and historical acknowledgment.

“The objective of such is to break the cycle of poverty in the ARMM so that people are actually empowered to undertake economic activities that benefit themselves and their communities in order to achieve real progress. In this regard, the government has encouraged and is prepared to work with the MILF in conflict-affected areas in undertaking these much-needed social services,” he said.

Leonen said the next step of government would be to go back and talk with different stakeholders to explain the government proposal and seek feedback on its contents.

“It will be an exploratory and consultative process in order to ensure that the voice of the different stakeholders will be well-represented in the crafting of final peace accord,” he said.

Leonen and Deles said it was important to note that the MILF panel kept the document after studying it Monday night and decided to advice the central committee to reject it.

“How do we address the current impasse? This has happened already in the past and we know that the ceasefire mechanisms are in place so it will not be handled in a military way, or so we hope. But of course we are going to the public and perhaps there can be some opening because we think that on the MILF side they are very rational people,” he said.

There’s something about Umbra Kato

Leonen said the MILF asked for 10 days to resolve the issue of its renegade members led by Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato and the rido (clan fighting) among base commands.

“The government, likewise, raised the issue of Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato and (his) Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the 17 rido incidents involving at least a commander of the MILF base command in Mindanao. They counted 17 rido incidents starting from January to this date involving at least an MILF commander,” he said.

The peace negotiator said the government is not considering Kato as part of the MILF and therefore no longer covered by the ceasefire arrangements.

However, the MILF clarified yesterday that it is not yet considering Kato as a renegade commander despite reports that he has already formed a breakaway group.

Muhammad Ameen, chair of the MILF Secretariat, said Kato could only be regarded as a renegade commander once their group adopts a resolution declaring him as such.

Ameen said there is still “a slim chance” of Kato reconsidering his decision to create the splinter group BIFF.

He said the grievances raised by Kato against the MILF leadership are “pure and simple sentimiento” and “unprincipled complaints which can easily be addressed internally.”

Kato was the head of the MILF 105th Base Command based in Maguindanao but decided to secede from the group over differences on the handling of the peace process.

Earlier in the day, President Aquino challenged the MILF to prove it was capable of governing its own territory, noting that any agreement with the rebel group would be done “step by step,” based on how it was showing its commitment to peace and development in Mindanao.

Aquino also said he and MILF chair Al Haj Murad had discussed during their meeting in Japan the rebel group’s idea of a sub-state with its own parliament, which he pointed out was almost similar to the autonomy that the government was proposing. – Alexis Romero