Gov’t - MILF talks on despite terror suspicions

Malacañang is optimistic that peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will resume in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia within the next few days.

"As far as we know, (the peace talks) is a go, and the presence of the joint monitoring team here signals that the talks are still on schedule," said Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye.

"We have not received any information to the effect that there are any obstacles to the resumption of the formal talks."

On the other hand, outgoing Malaysian Ambassador Mohamad Taufik said Malaysian peace monitors have reported "positive assessments" after visiting Mindanao to see if government troops and MILF guerrillas are complying with the ceasefire agreement.

"We are encouraged by the fact the advance team that came here last month has reported favorably for the formation of the international monitoring team," he said.

"They’ve (Malaysian peace monitors) already left. They were quite happy with the findings on the ground. They went to four or five areas identified as potential bases for the international team that would be formed eventually.

"But they will be subject to approval of both my government and also in consultation with the Philippines and also other governments in the countries that would be invited to form the team. So I cannot give a definite time span or deadline for their arrival."

Taufik refused to say if Malaysia would investigate, as third party facilitator in the peace talks, allegations that certain MILF leaders have been coddling Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khaddafy Janjalani.

Taufik went to Malacañang yesterday to bade farewell to President Arroyo.

Meanwhile, Bunye said the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) is appealing before the Davao City Regional Trial Court the decision of state prosecutors to charge MILF leaders linked to last year’s bombing of the Davao City airport.

"Because the (PAO lawyers) were requested to represent the MILF leaders," he said. "I don’t have the details, but the bottom line is this problem is being sorted out." –Marichu Villanueva