The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) expressed surprise by the recent move of the national government peace panel to postpone GRP-MILF 14th Exploratory Talks, which was slated to take place on August 22-24, 2007 at the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
Jun Mantawil, head of the MILF peace panel secretariat, said the MILF peace delegation were already on their way to Kuala Lumpur when the Malaysian government informed them of the postponement.
Mantawil added, "It was so sudden that we already left Mindanao and on our way to Kuala Lumpur."
"This is the second time the government postponed at the last hour, after Malacanang unilaterally announced the resumption on August 22," he elaborated.
Last May 1-2, the government and MILF peace negotiators were supposed to meet for the resumption of the talks, but at the last hour the government asked for postponement, citing the forthcoming May 14 polls as reason.