Resume GRP-MILF talks–without KL

Resume GRP-MILF talks–without KL


We are glad the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will still resume despite the opposition of a lot of parties, notably the Senate and the media (including this paper). For talks should not go on unless the MILF central leadership’s sincerity and ability to control its commanders are established beyond doubt.

The calls to halt moves to resume the peace negotiations were made after 23 soldiers were killed by a combined force of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists and MILF combatants in a barangay in Basilan province on August12 to 13.

A contingent of Philippine Army and Philippine Marines were crushing the principal camp of the ASG, which had only a fully armed force of about 50. As the fighting raged the government side realized that the terrorists had the support of up to 300 MILF soldiers. In the end, the government military’s mission was a success. But the high casualty count, thanks to the MILF, was as though the incident were a full-blown battle and not a mere raid into a terrorist group’s lair.

MILF a breakaway from MNLF

A breakaway group from the Moro National Liberation Front, the MILF, since its founding in 1981, has waged an armed separatist rebellion. Less than a year after the Moro National Liberation Front signed a “Final Peace Agreement” with the government in 1996, the MILF agreed with the government on a general cessation of hostilities, paving the way for peace negotiations aimed to arrive at a peace agreement.

In 2000, when the president was Joseph Estrada the MILF leadership declared “jihad” (holy war) against the government and the non-Muslim Filipinos.

After President Estrada’s ouster and President Gloria Arroyo’s accession to the presidency, the MILF and the President herself signed a ceasefire agreement, which again allowed the rebels to have camps and territories. Meanwhile, GRP and MILF panels continued having regular and continuing talks and formal negotiations to hammer out a comprehensive peace agreement.

Despite the ceasefire, continuing talks and negotiations, MILF units perpetrated deadly attacks and bombings. The MILF leadership always claimed the attackers to be “rogue” commanders and warriors or “lost commands.”

These bloody and lethal incidents have persuaded many officials and citizens that the MILF leaders are just using the peace talks to build up strength and campaign abroad to draw rich Muslim nations to support them in the goal of establishing a separate state in Mindanao.

Last year’s attacks, in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte, caused the displacement of 600,000 civilians and the death of at least 60 persons, including government soldiers. It moved President Arroyo to suspend formal negotiations completely.

On July 28, the government and MILF negotiating heads agreed on the resumption of formal peace talks. Among the items they agreed on were (a) the revival of international monitoring teams operating in Mindanao to help preserve the ceasefire and accept complaints of ceasefire violations and (b) the formation of an international contact group (ICG) in which the Organization of the Islamic Conference (the powerful association of Muslim-majority countries) would be a participant.

Listen to MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari

We hope this time whatever the two negotiating panels agree upon would be transparent and previously approved by all stakeholders—religious leaders of the Muslims, the Christians and the Lumads (indigenous peoples), the civil society organizations and experts on the Constitution. The MILF must drop its former objection to putting the peace agreement under the Philippine Constitution.

Then the GRP and MILF sides must listen to the voice of the one Muslim leader who has signed a peace agreement with the government, MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari. He wants Malaysia to be excluded from the negotiations.

The Senate held a hearing in Zamboanga City last week to look into the August 12 to 13 tragedy in Basilan. Sen. Rodolfo Biazon had sponsored Senate Resolution 1281 seeking the suspension of talks with the MILF.

Malaysia cannot be the mediator, Misuari said at the hearing. “They [the Malaysians] cannot render justice to our case with respect to Sabah. It is well known that Sabah belongs to our people.”

Senator Biazon agrees with Chairman Misuari. Indeed, it is well-known that people from Tawi-Tawi and Sulu are cousins, even brothers, to people in North Borneo. Sabah is Philippine territory because it belongs to the Sultan of Sulu, from whom the British leased and now Malaysia leases Sabah.

We suggest inviting Indonesia to take the place of Malaysia. Brunei should also be asked to join the peace process.

Misuari wants Malaysia out of Mindanao talks

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