Talks with MILF to resume despite US warning

Amid claims the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has established ties with groups linked with the al-Qaeda international terror network, Malacañang declared yesterday its resolve to push through with peace talks with the Muslim separatist group in Malaysia on April 16.

The government has waited long enough for the opportunity to talk peace with the MILF, said Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye.

He reiterated the government’s determination to carry on with talks despite concerns by some US government officials that the MILF is allegedly linked with the Abu Sayyaf and the regional terror group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

"The talks are already set and it will be on April 16. The MILF leaders themselves denied any ties with the Jemaah Islamiyah. It is possible that there are stragglers or lost commands that are beyond the control of the mainstream MILF," Bunye said.

"But generally, the whole MILF leadership are seeking peace and development in Mindanao," Bunye stressed.

Bunye reiterated Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita’s statement that the Philippine government had requested the US to refrain from including the MILF on its list of foreign terrorist organizations and give the peace talks a chance to succeed.

"This has long been delayed and we are happy that finally the talks will resume. The negotiating panel hopes that we can finally achieve a peace settlement," Bunye said.

Bunye said the opportunity to talk peace with the Muslim rebels should be seized.

"This has been on and off. We were not even sure before when we could sit down and talk again. We want these talks to continue and become successful," he said.

Bunye said Palace communications director Silvestre Afable Jr. had been in touch with MILF leaders. Both sides have expressed hopes of ironing out the issues that have blocked the adoption of a peace agreement.

President Arroyo pointed out the government’s peace efforts with armed rebel groups would not hamper its anti-terrorism campaign.

"Our policy is quite clear that we will go hammer and tongs against terrorists," Mrs. Arroyo said. "We will not negotiate with terrorists, and we shall negotiate peace only with those who absolutely reject terrorism," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo said the Philippine government would continue to work with its global and regional allies "on all fronts of intelligence sharing, training, and conflict resolution to isolate and destroy terrorist cells and their networks."

Reports said visiting US officials, including US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill and US Pacific Command chief Admiral William Fallon, had expressed their concern over the MILF’s alleged links with the JI and the Abu Sayyaf, who were linked by Washington and Manila to the terror network of international fugitive Osama bin Laden.

Reports had quoted Hill, who visited Manila last week, as saying that the US government intends to include the MILF on its terror list.

Malacañang, for its part, has repeatedly acknowledged the existence of radical MILF factions.

Philippine security officials acknowledge that these radical factions might have coddled the foreign JI militants in hidden terror training camps in the jungles of Central Mindanao.

Mrs. Arroyo explained the government is negotiating with the mainstream MILF leadership while excluding the extremist elements.

Afable said the President issued the statement to clarify the government’s position in dealing with the MILF.

"There have been some criticisms or worries on the government’s dealing with the MILF but the government’s policy is very clear and that has not been muddled in the course of our efforts to have lasting peace in Mindanao," Afable said.