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Gov't agrees to talk peace with MILF without conditions

by RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News | 01/06/2009 6:59 PM

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The Philippine government's chief negotiator with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Monday announced that a decision has been made to resume peace talks with the MILF as soon as possible and without conditions.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis said he will be joined in the government negotiating panel by Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, Ronald Adama, who is the Lumad representative, former General Santos City Mayor Adelbert Antonino as local governments representative, and lawyer Tomas Ong Cabili of Iligan as members of the panel.

Seguis said, however, that they cannot yet set a date as they have yet to hear from the MILF.

The MILF had previously set conditions before stalled negotiations can be resumed, one of which is the cessation of military operations against what the military has called “lawless MILF Groups”.

However, Seguis said the government is not stopping its law enforcement operations.

The government has been after three MILF sub-unit leaders, including Umbra Kato and Commander Bravo, for alleged atrocities in the Lanao areas after the aborted signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain last August 5.

Seguis, however, said the Philippine government remains open to talking to the MILF on this and other conditions the MILF has set.

IMT activation

Seguis also said there are other kinks that have to be finished, among them the activation of the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

Malaysia has already pulled out its contingent in the IMT, but Brunei and Libya have expressed interests to take over.

Seguis said government is free to sign a framework and terms of reference with Brunei and that he and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr. would be dealing with this.

Same facilitator?

Seguis added that they also have to work on who will be the facilitator of the talks since the MILF has asked that Malaysia continue to be the facilitator.

He noted that Malaysia has continued to support the peace process and added that the government will take advantage of that support.

Seguis said they are waiting for Malaysia's decision but they are also prepared to ask other parties who may be interested to become facilitator.

He said the government peace panel is set to convene and then present to President Arroyo the strategy for negotiations not later than January 20.

They are also considering some peace and development programs like the Mineral Trust fund, Japan International Cooperation Agency assistance programs, and other assistance programs from multinational donors as confidence-building measures.