Malaysian PM disappointed over failed MOA between RP government and MILF

MANILA, Philippines – Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi was “more than disappointed” over President Arroyo’s decision not to sign a controversial territorial agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) but reiterated his commitment to the peace process in Mindanao, a senior Palace official said yesterday.

Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Secretary Hermogenes Esperon met with Badawi on Thursday in his office in Putrajaya, Malaysia to explain the collapse of the talks with the MILF.

Malaysia has been acting as facilitator of the talks.

“With Prime Minister Badawi, I would say he was more than disappointed that the MOA was not signed,” Esperon said in a telephone interview. “They would have expected it to be a success story.”

The meeting came more than a month after the Supreme Court stopped the signing of the controversial MOA between the government and the MILF in Malaysia following questions on its constitutionality.

Angered by the temporary restraining order on the MOA, radical commanders of the MILF staged coordinated attacks in North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sarangani, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte leaving over 60 people dead and thousands of families homeless.

Meanwhile, the President has jumpstarted consultations with stakeholders in the peace process in Malacañang after earlier announcing a major change in policy in talks with rebels.

The President wanted negotiations to shift from armed groups to communities and other sectors affected by conflicts.

Mrs. Arroyo on Thursday met privately with leaders of the Caucus of Mindanao Peoples.

She also met with leaders of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches led by Bishop Ephraim Tendero and Bishop Reuben Abante of the Presidential Council for Values Formation last week and discussed the developments in Mindanao.

Esperon and Acting Executive Secretary Jesus Dureza, in separate interviews, said similar consultations are already being undertaken in Mindanao and many have been initiated by non-government organizations as religious leaders.

Esperon led a delegation that included Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Director General Pedro Cabuay to Malaysia to personally explain the breakdown of the talks with the MILF.

He also gave a letter from Mrs. Arroyo to Badawi on the matter.

The delegation first met with Malaysian chief facilitator Othman Abdul Razak and Foreign Minister Dr. Rais Yatim at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

The two Malaysian officials expressed concern over the ongoing joint military and police operations in Mindanao.

“I told them it (pursuit operations against Ameril Umbra Kato and Abduhraman Macapaar) was necessary to secure the area and we have to do it as a self-respecting government duty-bound to protect its people,” Esperon said.

He also explained the reason why the government did not sign the controversial MOA, and justified the reason for Mrs. Arroyo’s abolition of the government negotiating panel.

“I told them that with the talks shifting to communities, the panel’s reason to exist ceased,” Esperon said.

The delegation later met with Badawi and informed him that talks with the MILF would only resume once the situation in Mindanao fully stabilizes and when Kato and Macapaar are brought to justice.

The meeting lasted about 45 minutes where Badawi carefully read Mrs. Arroyo’s letter.

“The Prime Minister said he remains confident that the peace process will succeed and implied that Malaysia remains willing to act as facilitator of the talks,” Esperon said.

He said he also relayed to Othman the government’s message to the MILF, as per protocol of the talks, that negotiations would only resume if the rebels give up the erring commanders.