Government, MILF agree to resume formal peace talks; ceasefire looms?

The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have agreed to work toward resuming formal peace negotiations in the coming weeks, chief government negotiator Jesus Dureza said yesterday.

The two sides signed an agreement in Kuala Lumpur last week pledging to take steps to resume the stalled talks and "exercise mutual restraint to minimize, if not put an end to, violence in Mindanao," Dureza said.

And this would mean, according to Dureza, putting in place a ceasefire mechanism.

"There has been no disruption of the ceasefire," Dureza said, referring to the ceasefire agreement between the government and MILF signed in 2001.

"The agreements have always been there. What we need is to patch up the incidents in Mindanao. That is why we are improving the coordination mechanism of the ceasefire," he said.

Dureza stressed the significance of the two-day exploratory talks held in Malaysia which indicated the renewal of commitment of both sides to resume the peace process.

"We really thought for a while that the peace talks will be problematic because they expressed their apprehensions to talk with us due to the ongoing fight in Mindanao. But this commitment has been renewed in this meeting in Kuala Lumpur," he said.

Dureza said the technical committee, to be composed of representatives from the GRP and the MILF, will meet in the next two weeks in Cagayan de Oro City to discuss and formulate the implementing guidelines.

Although there was no definite date as to the resumption of the peace talks, Dureza highlighted the importance of the exploratory meeting aimed at improving the climate of the talks.

"The peace talks will not resume if the situation on the ground is still the same. All that we will do right now are intended to address the situation and improve it so that the proper climate for the resumption of the peace talks will take place," Dureza said.

In a joint statement released yesterday, both parties agreed to "achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting political settlement of the conflict in Mindanao."

"There is still much work to be done. This so-called breakthrough must not only be good on paper but must be a reality on the ground," Dureza said. "We need the help of everyone."

The two-page statement, however, gave no specific time frames on when the nine-point agreement will be implemented.

But as a sign of good faith, both sides also agreed to reaffirm a previous commitment to allow MILF leaders and members involved in the peace talks safety and guarantee against arrest.

"The parties reaffirm the provision on the granting of safety and security guarantees to MILF leaders and members who are directly and principally involved in the peace talks," the statement said.

Government and MILF rebels will also work hand in hand to facilitate the early return of evacuees and the rehabilitation of areas devastated by clashes over the past several weeks.

"The increasing incidence of violence in Mindanao must be addressed. The affected evacuees must be returned home. Many are poor and suffering," Dureza said.

In Malacañang, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye described the exploratory talks as a "very positive development."

The breakthrough, however, was marred by fresh clashes that left five rebels, a soldier and two militiamen killed early yesterday.

Rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu said his comrades launched several attacks on army positions early yesterday because the agreement with the government had not reached their field commanders.

"We are ready to abide by any agreement but it takes some time to communicate with our commands. We’re firmly committed to work for peace," Kabalu said.

About 80 guerrillas bombarded an army detachment with rocket-propelled grenades and rifle fire in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, injuring a soldier, a militiaman and a civilian, Army Col. Agustin Dima-ala said.

Kabalu said the guerrillas captured several soldiers from the detachment and destroyed an armored troop carrier, but Dima-ala denied those claims as rebel propaganda.

Another group of rebels fired volleys of rocket-propelled grenades at an army camp in Carmen, North Cotabato but did not cause any casualties, Army Maj. Onting Alon said.

In Pikit, also in North Cotabato, the town hardest hit by recent fighting, a clash broke out between government troops and an underdetermined number of rebels shortly after midnight yesterday. Kabalu said six guerrillas were wounded.

After ordering the military offensive that prompted the MILF last month to call off the peace talks, President Arroyo sought the help of the government of Malaysia to convince the rebels to return to the negotiations. – With Aurea Calica, Bong Fabe, Roel Pareño, John Unson, Edith Regalado, AFP