MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 6, 2011) – The Philippines chief government peace negotiator Marvic Leonen has urged the country’s largest Muslim rebel group – Moro Islamic Liberation Front – to fast-track the negotiations and come up with a political settlement in the first quarter of 2012 as talks resumed in Malaysia between the groups.
“Let us complete our task within the first quarter of next year,” Leonen said, adding there is a need for both sides to be focused in its task to “bring about a negotiated political settlement within the soonest possible time.”
The MILF which is fighting for self-determination is demanding the establishment of a Muslim sub-state in Mindanao, but Manila offered a wider autonomy.
Leonen reiterated that the government’s proposal for a political settlement not only provides a workable pragmatic framework but also “a platform for true deliberative democracy among all our people.”
“We are satisfied with the current ground conditions. We reiterate our commitment to respect our agreements relating to the cessation of hostilities as well as those in relation to the setting up and maintenance of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group,” Leonen said while calling on the MILF to show more of its commitment by actively identifying and assisting in the arrest of many lawless elements.
“Let us prove that our ceasefire mechanisms are not havens for kidnappers, murderers and terrorists,” he said.
The MILF also emphasized their commitment to the peace process. “We are here to discuss hard issues in order to move the peace process towards the signing of a peace agreement,” said Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF vice chairman and chief peace negotiator.
Aside from Leonen, the government panel is composed of members U.P Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Former Agriculture Secretary Senen Bacani and Upi, Maguindanao Mayor Ramon Piang. The MILF peace panel is composed of Atty. Mike Mastura, Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga, Alternate Panel Members Abdulla Camlian and Datu Antonio Kinoc.
Also present during the talks are members of the International Contact Group which includes Keizo Takewaka from Japan, Moharib Ibrahim Al-Moharib from Saudi Arabia, Christopher Wright from the United Kingdom, Yasin Temizkan from Turkey, David Gorman from the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Emma Leslie from Conciliation Resources, Sudibyo Markus from Muhammadiyah and Steven Rood and Herizal Hazri from The Asia Foundation.
The 23rd formal talks is expected to tackle the substantive points to craft a framework agreement that will move the peace process forward.
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