IMT to remain in Mindanao until signing of peace pact

COTABATO CITY , Philippines– The head of the new batch of Malaysian peace monitors overseeing a ceasefire between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said the International Monitoring Team (IMT) will remain in Mindanao until the situation normalizes.

Malaysia’s Maj. Gen. Dato Fadzil Bin Mokhtar said the IMT will stay until the final peace agreement is signed.

“We will be around until the normalization but maybe our role is less security, less humanitarian and less socio-economic (components). That is how we look at our existence in the future,” Fadzil told reporters Wednesday following a briefing with Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe and his delegation on the achievements of the IMT.

He said security in areas in Mindanao covered by IMT “remains stable but unpredictable.”

Fadzil expressed full confidence in the ability of Philippine government to ensure the security of the Malaysian contingent in the IMT amid ongoing operations against supporters of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III in Sabah.

He said he does not believe that the Sabah issue is affecting the peace process because it is a “separate” matter.

“We have complete trust in the government of the Philippines for providing us with security and we have full confidence in the ability of the government forces to protect us,” Fadzil said.

The arrival of the eighth IMT contingent of Malaysia, headed by Fadzil, that took over from the IMT Batch 7 led by Maj. Gen. Dato Abdul Rahim Bin Mohd Yusuff was also announced by the MILF.

“Sabah is a separate matter and I do not think that affects the peace talks that are going on between the MILF and the government of the Philippines. I do not think it is going to affect the peace process,” Fadzil stressed. 

“My concern is the peace process and I do not think that will affect the peace process. That is independent (peace process).”