The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has congratulated Prof. Miriam Ferrer-Coronel for her designation as the new government chief peace negotiator, replacing former Dean of the UP College of Law and now Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Marvic Leonen. Ferrer, now a professor at the University of the Philippines teaching political science, is one of the founders and former coordinators of the Philippine Campaign to Ban Landmines (PCBL). She was also the Co-Chair of the Non-State Actor Working Group of the global movement against landmines.
Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief peace negotiator, personally made the congratulation in an interview with Luwaran early today. “She deserved it and is capable to handle the task, besides her being the vice chairwoman of the government peace panel right now,” he said. “I wished her luck and looked up for more strides in the talks under her stewardship,” he added.
Iqbal, who has been in the negotiation for 14 years and MILF chief negotiator for10 years, has faced all kinds of negotiator from the government ranging from military generals to a diplomat, an academe and full cabinet member, a lawyer, and now a woman. He almost had to face a priest but the MILF had requested the government to forego with the appointment, saying the priest was a very close friend and besides, the MILF does not want to put religious fervor in the conflict in Mindanao. Asked whether a woman counterpart in the negotiation is not an ideal situation, his answer was “not at all,” except, he added, that in Moro tradition and good practices, man is not supposed to argue with women. But he was quick to clarify that in negotiation, it is not about argumentation and debate but essentially discussion of issues and concerns and to agree or to disagree or look for a common way out.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2981:milf-congratulates-ferrer-as-govt-chief-negotiator&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.