GPH to MILF: See the problems realistically

GPH to MILF: See the problems realistically
Kuala Lumpur, Apr. 28 – As their formal exploratory talks began today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the government told the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that underlying issues of negotiations require them to see problems realistically.


“We are here to negotiate ways to solve problems. That principally requires that we are open to seeing the problem realistically,” said Marvic Leonen, Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel chair for the MILF talks, during his opening statement in the 21st GPH-MILF formal exploratory talks in Malaysia.


In his statement, Leonen cited two issues that he said may affect the “workability of any final agreement”. These refer to the consideration of a previously signed accord with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) that deals with the same areas and peoples as that of the MILF; and the issue of alleged splinter groups such as that formed by Ustadz Amiril Umra Kato.


Considering that the government has signed a Final Peace Agreement with the MNLF in 1996, Leonen sees that the current negotiations with the MILF deals with much of the same ground and in representation of the same peoples.


Leonen, with that, hoped that that the MILF can consider the offshoots of the situation as a problem that both panels can mutually address.


“We hope that the MNLF and the MILF’s commitment, both representing the Bangsamoro peoples, should not be at cross purposes with each other,” added Leonen.


Meanwhile, the GPH panel chair likewise stressed on the alleged separation of Kato’s group, now called the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).


The chair mentioned some concerns that the government panel has been trying to get answers including: the threat of setting up another negotiating table for the BIFF, in case the GPH has already signed an agreement with MILF; the question on the BIFF still being part of MILF; the uncertainty on authority over MILF’s coercive forces; the assurance of the BIFF respecting ceasefires of the government with MILF; and the extent of the BIFF constituency on Kato’s areas of operation.


In August 2008, Kato was a prominent figure behind the outbreak of violence following the non-signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD).#