MILF: GRP-MILF peace talks to resume as scheduled

From the MILF Website (Mar 15): GRP-MILF peace talks to resume as scheduled

The peace talks between the government of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will resume before the end of the month.

This was the response of Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the MILF peace panel, from media men who accompanied Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe during the latter’s visit to the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) Training Center in Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao last March 13.

MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said that the ongoing conflict in Sabah is a separate issue from the peace process.

“As far as we are concerned, the peace talks will proceed as scheduled before the end of this month,” he disclosed, adding by asking (himself): “Why do we have to complicate the issue, that’s another issue,” referring to the stand-off.

He said the Sabah issue is a security issue while the peace negotiation is a peace issue.

Asked to elaborate, Iqbal politely turned down the request, saying the Sabah issue is so delicate that it is better to keep silent and instead call for peaceful method to resolve it.

“There is no reason (for delay), anyway the two governments — the Malaysian government and the Philippine government are trying to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” he added.

Malaysia is acting as the third party facilitator in the GRP-MILF peace talks. In fact, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak personally witnessed the signing of the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB) between GRP and MILF peace panels on October 15 in Malacañang.

The scheduled, according to Iqbal, was made during the last exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur last month.

Iqbal said that the next round of talks will be continuation of the discussion regarding power sharing, wealth sharing and normalization.

However, Iqbal said that issues concerning wealth sharing is already settled but not yet signed while power sharing is almost a done deal. 

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