GRP-MILF ‘back-door’ pact inked today in KL

President Arroyo will witness the signing today in Kuala Lumpur of a new agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the on-going "back-channel" peace talks being brokered by the Malaysian government.

President Arroyo revealed this yesterday in her weekly radio program on the eve of her trip to Kuala Lumpur.

The President said she would discuss with Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammad Mahathir the progress of the peace talks of the Philippine government with the MILF which were being conducted through back-channels by her Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns Norberto Gonzales with his counterpart, MILF vice chairman Al Haj Murad.

Acting Press Secretary Silvestre Afable Jr., who is among the official delegation to the President’s trip to Kuala Lumpur today and to Thailand tomorrow, said he is not aware what particular agreement might be signed in relation to the government’s peace efforts with the MILF.

Afable, however, surmised that this might be the formal signing of the Joint Communique signed by Gonzales and Murad last April 25.

The Joint Communique, among other things, enlisted the MILF as partners of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to run after kidnappers and other criminals who seek refuge in MILF communities.

The Joint Communique was the product of the "back-door" talks with the MILF following the decision of President Arroyo to suspend the formal peace negotiations until further notice. – Marichu Villanueva