MILF: Next meet to set trend of peace talks

MANILA, Philippines - The next meeting between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) could set the trend of the peace talks, a negotiator for the Muslim group said yesterday.

Datu Antonio Kinoc, alternate member of the MILF peace panel, said the 30th exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia would most likely determine the course of the 15-year peacemaking in Mindanao and whether there would be a signing of an agreement.

Kinoc, however, admitted that the chances of forging an agreement soon are “still hanging in the balance” despite the “modest breakthrough” in last month’s talks.“

“In a negotiation, anything can still happen,” he said in a statement. The date of the next round of formal talks has yet to be determined. The MILF, however, said the talks are expected to resume “soon” in Kuala Lumpur.

Key issues like power-sharing, wealth-sharing, territory and the status of alleged MILF political detainees are expected to be part of the agenda.

The government and the MILF held the 29th exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur last July 16 to 18. During the meeting, the two parties expressed confidence in wrapping up discussions on mechanisms that could lead to the creation of a new political entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Both sides did not give specifics and merely stated that they continued discussions on power-sharing and other related matters. They also agreed to hold another meeting this month.

The MILF has been pushing for the creation of a Bangsamoro sub-state, as it believes that there is no real self-governance in the ARMM since it could not stand without the national government’s support.

MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim earlier said the ARMM has become a “milking cow” of politicians and has not allowed the Bangsamoro people to rule themselves.

Last April, government and MILF negotiators agreed to replace or expand the ARMM to accommodate the rebels in a political entity.

Government negotiators had said the new autonomous political entity would not be an independent Bangsamoro state that would violate the country’s sovereignty.

The creation of the new political entity would require a new law from Congress.