Gov't mulls balancing act for comprehensive peace pact with Muslim rebels

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government is trying to strike a balance between meeting the timetable and the need to adequately address all the issues concerning a comprehensive peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a senior government official said today.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte made the statement as the 40th round of formal exploratory talks was extended for another day in Malaysia.

The MILF is in the final stages of peace talks with Manila, but the two sides are not expected to be able to complete the two remaining annexes of the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).

"I think, both panels are aware of the time element in all of this. But, certainly, again, we wish to stress that we also want to strike that balance between not rushing (the signing of the agreement) just for the sake of signing it," she said in a news briefing.

She said that the government wants to address adequately all the issues involved in the two remaining annexes, namely power- sharing and normalization.

Both the government and the MILF peace panels have been targeting to forge the comprehensive agreement within the year.

The FAB and its four annexes, which also include the transitional arrangements and modalities and wealth-sharing, which were inked already, will form part of the comprehensive compact.

"They (both panels) are aware of the timetable that they do also set for themselves, and hopefully we'll see more on this front," Valte said.

The comprehensive peace pact will pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro sub-state government to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and seeks to end the four-decade armed struggle in southern Philippines.