‘Wealth-sharing’ matters badger MILF on peace deal

From the Daily Tribune (Nov 5): ‘Wealth-sharing’ matters badger MILF on peace deal

How to cut up the bounty appears evolving as a major thorn in the deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the creation of the Bangsamoro substate envisioned in a recently-signed framework agreement as the MILF had started to worry on the channeling of the expected influx of aid offers to Mindanao. The MILF wanted financial aid to be coursed through the proper channel and not directly to individual members of the secessionist group. The rebel group also apparently convinced the government to suspend the awarding of oil exploration contracts on areas expected to be part of the Bangsamoro region as it expressed gratitude in its luwaran.com Web site to President Aquino for “deciding favorably for the suspension of oil and gas exploration bids award in oil exploration contracts in Mindanao, particularly those in Liguasan in the Cotabato Basin and Sulu seas until the wealth-sharing issue is addressed.” Last Oct. 27 in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, before reporters, urged the Aquino administration to forego the awarding of these contracts, saying that the issue of wealth-sharing is still being discussed by the negotiators of both parties when they resume their talks in Kuala Lumpur this month. In an editorial over its website, the MILF said that while it welcomed the “avalanche of aid offers from donor agencies and states”, the matter should be handled carefully so it will not lead to negative results or weaken the organization....

 http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/6468-‘wealth-sharing’-matters-badger-milf-on-peace-deal