Gov't-MILF peace talks headed for a 'stalemate'

MANILA, Philippines - Unless the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) keeps an open mind, chief government negotiator Marvic Loenen warned yesterday that peace negotiations are heading for a “stalemate.”           

In his opening statement at the 26th formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Leonen urged the MILF leadership to grab the opportunity offered by the peace negotiations.

“We are approaching what would seem to be a stalemate in our ideas for transition as well as in our ideas of how to make permanent the solutions that work for our people. I invite our counterparts to take a step back with us,” he said.

“Perhaps, by examining the reasons why we insist on our various positions we can see ways forward.  Perhaps if both our teams can temporarily suspend judgment so that we can candidly evaluate our reasons and standpoints, see their political viability.  Perhaps, we can both keep an open mind, we could convince ourselves that there are goals more appropriate rather than sticking to our encrusted positions,” he added.

While Leonen did not specifically point out the exact reasons for the possible stalemate, it is generally acknowledged that both sides have not gone beyond the key issues of how the proposed ”genuine autonomy” would work. 

Leonen said the timelines set by both the government and the MILF should be met.

“Should we fail to meet these timelines, these negotiations will continue but we would have to seriously re-craft the proposals that we now already have on the table,” he said.

“Let us stay focused, be patient so that we can have greater understanding of the possibilities that still lie ahead of us,” Leonen said.

He said the government maintains its position that the autonomy to be granted to any group should not result in authoritarianism.

“Neither should it be used to justify lack of good and effective governance,” Leonen said.

Citizens‘ Battle Against Corruption party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna said the MILF should be sincere in dealing with the government.

Tugna said talks about territory, power sharing and transitional mechanism should not result in the “splintering” of the country‘s territory.

”Perhaps a level of autonomy or shared control over some governance aspects, which are inherently local or regional may be given to the MILF,” he said.  

Meanwhile, MILF spokemsan Von Al Haq said both parties have put offers on the table, but those have not been reconciled.

“We need to talk about these very substantive issues. Let us not impose our will, even if one side wants it signed tomorrow for instance, but the other side has issues about the offer. That will simply not work,” he said.        – With Paolo Romero