Talks with MNLF revived in July

MANILA, Philippines - With a peace agreement expected to be forged soon with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the government is meeting with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to synchronize the original pact with the new one.

The talks with the MNLF will resume next month in Yogyakarta, Indonesia to tackle the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement, a ranking MNLF official said yesterday.

Indonesia is brokering the talks being facilitated by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The resumption of the peace talks, which has been delayed after the MNLF walked out of negotiations in February last year, was reached following a meeting with the Indonesian ambassador last week.

“The parties agreed to meet in Yogyakarta either first week of July or last week of August,” MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla said.

According to Fontanilla, MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari would lead the four-man panel while Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles will head the government panel.

He said the issues to be discussed include the coverage of territory and sharing of resources.

The MNLF spokesman said the resumption of peace talks is an offshoot of a resolution issued by the OIC, which called on the Philippine government to synchronize the framework agreement forged with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“The MNLF sees no conflict with the framework agreement because it aims to address the Bangsamoro problem in Mindanao,” Fontanilla said.

But he said if the last two items in the peace accord with the MNLF would not be resolved, they would seek the endorsement of the OIC to elevate their cause to the United Nations.

The MNLF will exhaust all peaceful and diplomatic means to attain its ultimate objective of self-rule, Fontanilla added.