ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / May 28, 2012) – The Philippines resumed peace talks on Monday with Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in Malaysia, which is brokering the negotiations.
The MILF is the country’s largest Muslim rebel group which is fighting for self-determination in Mindanao.
Peace negotiators headed by Marvic Leonen for the Philippines, and Mohagher Iqbal, for the MILF, held an executive session with the Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed.
Details of the negotiations were not immediately known, but a press statement released by the government peace panel said the three-day talks would center on details on power-sharing, wealth-sharing, governance, geographical areas, among others.
Both sides have signed last month the Decision Points on Principles, a landmark document which contains 10 points that will serve as a guide on the substantive issues of the negotiations.
Also in the signed document is the proposal to create a new Muslim autonomous region that would replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao comprising of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao and Maguindanao provinces. (Mindanao Examiner)
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