Government, MILF panels in backchannel talks

DAVAO CITY — The government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) panels are set to meet here on Feb. 28 for backchannel talks to pave the way for the resumption of the stalled peace negotiations soon.

Maguindanao Gov. Zacaria Candao told The STAR the backchannel talks will be participated in by selected members of the two panels who will lay the groundwork for the revival of the peace talks.

"But what is important is that during the talks on Feb. 28, we expect the MILF to declare its own suspension of military operations against government forces in response to the unilateral (ceasefire) the Arroyo administration earlier announced," Candao said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed hope the MILF will positively respond to the government’s ceasefire declaration and withdrawal of cases against its leaders.

Candao said the MILF will be headed by its legal counsel, Lanang Ali, while Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Jesus Dureza will lead the government panel.

Mrs. Arroyo has asked the MILF to organize its panel immediately so the peace talks could resume soon.

The formal peace talks with the MILF started last Oct. 25, 1999, but got stalled last year when the Estrada government launched a massive offensive against the separatist group, leading to the capture of 46 of its camps.

The government, Mrs. Arroyo said, will continue to enlist the help of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in finding a solution to the Mindanao peace problem.

"We still have that desire to keep ties with the OIC because of its interest in peace in Mindanao. The OIC wants to help," she said.

The OIC was instrumental in the forging of the 1996 peace agreement between the government and the Nur Misuari-led Moro National Liberation Front.