Peace advocates warn vs suspension of MILF talks

MANILA, Philippines - Peace advocates warned yesterday that any move to suspend the resumption of the stalled peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao by the government may ignite renewed hostilities in the region.

Abdulbasit Benito, executive director of the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace in the Philippines Inc., said that last year’s conflict has brought so much misery in the region and also displaced a lot of people.

Benito issued the statement to remind Sen. Rodolfo Biazon that his Senate Resolution No. 1281, which calls for the suspension of the resumption of the peace talks with the MILF, may be counterproductive.

Biazon chairs the Senate defense committee currently conducting a probe on the Basilan crisis, where 23 soldiers were reportedly killed during a clash between the MILF and Abu Sayyaf in Tipo-Tipo last Aug. 12.

In filing the resolution, Biazon said he wanted to know, among other things, the alleged treachery of the MILF rebels who waylaid the troops pursing the Abu Sayyaf and to determine whether MILF leaders still have complete control of their men on the ground.

“The alleged treachery of the MILF is an allegation that needs to be proven through an impartial investigation by an independent fact-finding body,” Benito said.

He also stressed that the suspension of the resumption of the peace talk would mean lifting the SOMO (Suspension of Military Operations) by both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the MILF.  

“The recent SOMO of the AFP and the MILF, have raised hopes for the IDPs to safely return to their villages and start a new life. However, if Senate Resolution 1281 is approved, these renewed hopes and excitement will be in vain,” Benito said.

 He also reminded Biazon that the Mindanao conflict could not be resolved through the use of force. In less than a year of fighting, he said the government has already spent P2 billion in military operations against three rouge MILF commanders with no clear indication of their imminent arrest or capture.   – Jaime Laude