MILF tells members: Don't be too optimistic on peace talks

MANILA, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has cautioned its members not to be “too optimistic” on the peace talks with the government, admitting that the negotiations would “not be an easy and smooth-sailing struggle.”

The MILF issued the warning during a dialogue on the peace process with Muslim communities in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao last week.

“Don’t be too optimistic,” an MILF statement quoted peace panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal as telling the more than 800 participants in the dialogue. 

“The devils in negotiation are in the details… not in general statements which are not contentious,” Iqbal was quoted as further saying.

“One cannot simply say, ‘I am optimistic on signing an agreement with the government’ or simply dash hope on it… Such attitude is plain and simple subjectivism,” Iqbal said.

He said the MILF is neither optimistic nor pessimistic about the peace process.

“Negotiation is another form of struggle, the outcome of which is determined by many contending factors,” he added.

In an interview, Iqbal said the MILF has been talking to the government for 14 years and yet the negotiations have not been finished.

He, however, clarified that MILF commanders remain “supportive of the peace process as the most practical (means) of resolving the conflict in Mindanao.”

When asked if he is confident that a peace accord would be reached within the Aquino administration, Iqbal said, “I cannot be too optimistic, I cannot be too pessimistic. I have to be very objective.”

Formal talks between the government and the MILF were halted after the Supreme Court (SC) declared unconstitutional an agreement on ancestral domain in 2008.

The agreement would have led to the creation of a Bangsamoro Juridical Entity expanding the scope of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The new entity would have covered areas in Palawan, South Cotabato, Zamboanga City, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur.

The SC ruling prodded some rogue MILF commanders to launch attacks against civilian communities in various parts of Mindanao. Hundreds of people, including women and children, were killed in the atrocities.

Informal talks between the government and the MILF were held last Jan. 13 in Kuala Lumpur, brokered by a Malaysian third-party facilitator.

Both parties agreed to resume the negotiations on Feb. 9-10 and to renew the mandate of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

The AHJAG is composed of military and MILF representatives tasked to isolate and interdict kidnap groups, rebel units and criminal elements in Mindanao.

The IMT has been monitoring the ceasefire and socio-economic and humanitarian agreements between the government and the MILF since 2004. It is currently composed of delegates from Malaysia, Brunei, Japan and Libya.