Peace talks between government, MILF resume Monday

OZAMIZ CITY, Philippines—Peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will resume Monday in Kuala Lumpur amid high expectations from the international community they will be able to hammer out an agreement.

Monday’s meeting is the second time the parties will take up issues of power-sharing between the central government and a proposed Moro self-governance entity in Mindanao.

Substantive discussions geared at crafting a comprehensive compact began last month. Last December, the parties agreed on 11 basic points that largely centered on defining “genuine autonomy” for the Moro people to address age-old longing for political self-determination that has spawned over four decades of rebellion.

The peace negotiations entered its 15th year in January. The crafting of a comprehensive compact is the lone agenda left in the negotiating table.

The European Union, in a recent news release, said “the timing is right for a decisive push towards an agreement and that such an opportunity must not be missed.”

EU ambassador to the Philippines Guy Ledoux visited Cotabato City last week along with envoys of various member states.

The EU stressed that the sortie was done “to encourage the parties to intensify their negotiations to reach a settlement at the earliest possible moment.”

With Ledoux were Ambassadors Stephen Lillie of the United Kingdom, Wilhem Donko of Austria, Jorge Domecq of Spain, and Deputy Ambassadors Ralph Timmerman of Germany, Hugues-Antoine Suin of France, Jori Vobis of Czech Republic and Dr. Alfonso Tagliaferri of Italy.

The Aquino administration wants to conclude a peace agreement with Moro rebels this year.

In Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat Mayor Tocao Mastura led local officials and residents in a peace rally on Saturday.

“Peace is not just the absence of armed conflict, but it is the sum total of the conditions that ensure human and social well-being in all its dimensions,” Mastura said.

The Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade provided security for the rally held at the town hall.

Colonel Rodelio Santos, 603rd IB chief, said similar peace rallies would be held in other 12 Maguindanao towns under his area of coverage.

“We should conquer peace with peace by winning the hearts of the people through development endeavors in conflict-affected communities,” said Santos, adding that the next peace gathering would be in North Upi town.—With a report from Charlie C. Señase, Inquirer Mindanao