Gov’t, MILF panels resume talks

MANILA, Philippines - The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) resumed peace talks last Tuesday, jointly condemning the attacks staged by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction associated with Nur Misuari in Zamboanga.

In a joint statement, the parties “condemned in the strongest terms the violence” staged by Misuari’s group.

“The perpetrators must be stopped and held accountable for their acts,” the statement said.

“The parties remain committed to pursuing the peace process to its just and rightful conclusion, in the belief that it is through partnership that institutions reflective of the true needs and aspirations of the Bangsamoro and other peoples of Mindanao shall be installed,” it added.

The joint statement stressed that the government would adhere to its previous commitments, while the MILF members “encourage their Moro brothers and sisters in the MNLF to work together so that the Moro struggle will benefit all.”

Both sides also agreed “to ensure continuity of the peaceful option so that the peoples of Mindanao can live in unity and prosperity.”

“The parties extend their heartfelt sympathy and solidarity with the people of Zamboanga City and other areas affected by such violence,” the statement read.

“The government and the MILF shared its commitment to pursue the peace process to its just and rightful conclusion.

“We open our 40th Formal Exploratory round of talks with firm resolve that as we seek to hurdle the difficulties we are facing in the negotiations, we will also overcome the security challenges confronting us in various parts of Mindanao today,“ government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said in her statement at the opening of the 10-day formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur.

On Monday, around 400 MNLF forces attacked communities in Zamboanga City, where six people died, scores were wounded, and dozens taken hostage.

The Misuari-led group recently declared independence and faulted the government for not including the MNLF in the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro signed by the government and the MILF in October 2012.

Ferrer said “there are groups and leaders waiting for this process to fail, but the government and the MILF will work together to succeed in forging and implementing a comprehensive peace pact that is inclusive of the interest and welfare of all in the Bangsamoro.”

“We have to show to one and all that through reason and compassion, through dialogue and cooperation, we can create the process and the institutions that will enable one and all, exercising their free will but refraining from the use of all forms of violence, to rebuild their societies and polities,” she said.

Ferrer said the agenda in the talks is to complete the two remaining annexes on power sharing and normalization.

She said two annexes – the Transitional Arrangements on Modalities and the Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing – were signed earlier this year.