'Involve as many sectors as possible in MILF peace talks'

MANILA, Philippines - The government should involve as many sectors as possible, including renegade armed groups, in the peace talks to resolve the conflict in Mindanao, an Irish lawmaker said yesterday.

Dominic Hannigan, a member of the Irish parliament, also said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government should be open to a compromise so the talks could move forward.

“Try to get as many of these splinter groups on board. It’s not easy thing but we do need to try if possible to get them involved,” Hannigan said in a press briefing in Makati City.

Hannigan, who is in the Philippines to share Ireland’s experience in negotiating with armed groups, said renegade groups could sabotage the peace process if they are excluded in the negotiations.

“When we were involved in the peace negotiations, we tried to involve as many sides as possible; we tried to seek common ground as a result we got each of the smaller armed groups,” Hannigan said.

“If you don’t get them to sign, they will shout at the sides. They will potentially try to wreck any agreement… I do think if possible as many of the splinter groups should be taken inside the tent before any agreement,” he added.

Hannigan is the chairman of the committee that oversees the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, a deal signed in 1998 which brought peace to northern Ireland after 30 years of war.

Hannigan has just finished a three-week volunteering assignment with VSO Bahaginan, a group that promotes development through volunteerism.

His visit is in line with the Parliamentarian Volunteering scheme, a VSO program that seeks to engage with public servants to spur progress.