Peace talks with MILF to proceed as scheduled

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang said yesterday peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will proceed as scheduled on July 8.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said: “They’ve raised some concerns, but we are pushing through with the peace talks this coming... Monday. So there’s no issue with MILF on that point. We are still talking about the annexes.”

MILF vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar said the talks will likely last for five days.

The talks will coincide with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, he added.

Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat said he will play an active role in the formulation of the basic law for the proposed Bangsamoro region when Congress opens later this month.

“The Bangsamoro basic law will not only affect the areas included within, but also the country as a whole,” he said.

“Expect that in Congress I will be very active in the formulation of the Bangsamoro basic law, ensuring that the position and sentiments of Zamboanga City are respected.”

The former mayor of Zamboanga City said he is out  to ensure that the Bangsamoro basic law will be acceptable and would not face opposition.

Zamboanga City remains committed to the peace process in Mindanao, he added.

Government peace panel member Senen Bacani said only a few issues remain on the annexes, but that these are the most difficult.

The comprehensive agreement that would be signed must pass legal and constitutional scrutiny, he added.

Bacani said they wanted to ensure that the comprehensive agreement would not suffer the fate of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain that was declared unconstitutional in 2008.

“We need a little patience and understanding for these delays as we have no control over the schedules of other people, but I am very hopeful that we will finish this comprehensive agreement in a month or two,” he said.         

“What is important is that we continue to be committed to settle these issues, and once and for all complete the comprehensive agreement so that the Bangsamoro Transition Commission can also start drafting the Bangsamoro Basic law.”

The contentious issues of wealth- and power-sharing within the proposed Bangsamoro region, as well as the normalization of the MILF, will be discussed in the peace talks.

The government believes a peace agreement with the MILF to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will lead to peace and development in the region.

Once the comprehensive agreement is signed, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission can start drafting the Bangsamoro basic law, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said.