Government resumes peace talks with MILF

DAVAO CITY ,Philippines   – The government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiating panels resumed peace talks yesterday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to start discussions on the draft of a peace agreement proposed by the two parties.

The government panel also submitted yesterday its own draft of the proposed comprehensive compact, which the MILF said it would have to study first before making any comment.

At a session in April, the MILF put forward a draft agreement and the Philippine government is now expected to submit a counter proposal. Government negotiators would not divulge the document’s contents but a senior member of Manila’s peace panel said ahead of the meeting, it could bring both sides to ending the insurgency.

“We aim to close the gap between what happens on the table and the actual implementation,” the official said. “We will submit a counter proposal to them.”

The official said the Philippine negotiating panel would also express their appreciation to the MILF for helping police rescue a Filipina businesswoman seized by a kidnap-for-ransom gang in May.

 “It provided some sort of confidence, but a lot still has to be done,” the official said.

 The woman was seized by five armed men from her home on May 14 in the southern province of Maguindanao and taken to a marshland under the control of the MILF.

The guerrillas recovered the hostage after pursuing the kidnappers, forcing them to leave her behind.

The two panels are also expected to iron out certain kinks in the peace process including rumors that the government will conduct separate talks parallel to the ongoing negotiations.

Chief government negotiator Marvic Leonen however denied the allegations of the MILF saying the rebel group should not believe loose talks aimed at destroying the peace efforts in the south.

“Those are simply rumors. I am disappointed that the MILF thinks we are staging schemes when we are already here in Kuala Lumpur for the scheduled talks,” Leonen said.

Leonen along with Prof. Mirriam Ferrer, Mayor Ramon Piang of Upi, Maguindanao, former secretary Senen Bacani, and adviser Dr. Hamid Barra compose the government peace panel. The MILF is represented by Mohagher Iqbal, chaiman of its panel, Atty. Datu Michael Mastura, Bobby Alonto, Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga, Abdullah Camlian, and Datu Antonio Kinoc.  – With Jose Rodel Clapano