MILF still at 'war' with government?

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. expressed alarm over the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) statement that it remains a "revolutionary organization" despite the peace process with government.

Marcos, who handles the main committee tackling the peace process and the proposed Bangsamoro law, reacted to MILF peace panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal's letter read to the Senate panel on Tuesday.

"While we may have signed of peace agreement with the Philippine government after 18 years of intermittent war and negotiations that peace agreement is yet to be implemented," Iqbal said, explaining his concerns over appearing at the hearing on the killing of the 44 police Special Action Force Commandos by MILF insurgents on January 25.

"Until the peace agreement is fully implemented, we will remain to be a revolutionary organization," Iqbal added.

RELATED: MILF vows to return SAF firearms, belongings

Saying the MILF's words contradict previous statements related to the peace process, Marcos raised the concern on whether the MILF is still "fomenting revolution" until the new Bangsamoro region is created.

"It is in direct contradiction to what was told to us ... On the hearings on [Bangsamoro Basic Law], we are told that we are in a condition between the MILF and the Philippine government where there is a cessation of military action or revolutionary action," Marcos noted.

He also demanded that the rebel group explain what the passage on Iqbal's letter means.

"This is alarming, an alarming development that we have returned to war with the MILF. That is worrisome and I hope that the chairman [Iqbal] will find time to come and explain precisely what this language means," Marcos said.

For her part, Poe said that Marcos' question will remain open ended until Iqbal decides to appear before the Senate panel.

The MILF chief told the committee that he will appear in the hearings after their group's independent investigating body on the Mamasapano operation has concluded its inquiry.

'No war'

Miriam Coronel Ferrer, the government's chief negotiator with the MILF, reiterated that the two sides were no longer "at war" due to a longstanding ceasefire agreement and the termination of hostilities since 2011.

Ferrer said, however, that the ceasefire was "in effect" violated when government forces and the Moro rebels exchanged fire following an anti-terror police operation last month.

"We really have to see it in the context of the whole peace process. We are not at war with them, precisely we have a ceasefire, but that ceasefire was broken on January 25 and that is the matter that is being investigated," Ferrer said.

The day after the clash in Mamasapano, Marcos suspended "indefinitely" hearings on the Bangsamoro law until the incident is "clarified."

"This does not help, that's for sure. I do not know precisely what exactly will happen next. It will depend on our discussions with the MILF and the government," he said.