Muslim women walk past an MILF soldier in the southern Philippines. (Photo by Mark Navales – Mindanao Examiner)
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Al Jacinto / Aug. 11, 2012) – Peace talks between government and rebel negotiators ended on Saturday with no concrete agreements that would end Muslim rebellion in the restive southern Philippine region of Mindanao.
Philippine negotiators headed by Marvic Leonen and his counterpart Mohagher Iqbal, vice chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, ended three days of peace talks in Malaysia.
Both sides agreed to meet again later this month to continue the negotiations which centered on issues on power and wealth sharing on the proposed new political entity that would replace the existing Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao which comprises Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao, including the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.
Peace panels only reached consensus on some issues on power sharing and revenue generation, including wealth sharing arrangements. No other details were made public by either Leonen or Iqbal.
Aside from power-sharing and wealth-sharing, peace negotiators are expected to continue the discussion later this month the issue of transition mechanism and territories which would form part of the proposed expanded Muslim autonomous region.
The MILF, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, is fighting for self-determination for some four million Muslims in the South. (Al Jacinto)
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