Ceasefire monitors' mandate extended

MANILA, Philippines - The peace panels of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday agreed to extend by another one year the mandate of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) helping oversee the ceasefire between the two sides.

In a joint statement following their two-day 23rd round of exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the peace panels headed by Marvic Leonen and Mohagher Iqbal, respectively, also adopted the terms of reference of the humanitarian rehabilitation and development component.

In the statement, both sides reaffirmed their “commitment to move the peace process forward.”

The IMT’s mandate is set to expire in March next year.

The two peace panels agreed to meet again in January 2012 to continue their discussions on substantive issues.   

The exploratory talks were facilitated by Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed.