MILF: New batch of Indonesian truce observers to arrive in Mindanao late June

From GMA News (Jun 16): MILF: New batch of Indonesian truce observers to arrive in Mindanao late June

Amid a "deadlock" in peace negotiations, a new batch of Indonesian observers is arriving late June to replace the Indonesian contingent to the International Monitoring Team keeping watch over the ceasefire between Philippine government forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The MILF on Sunday cited information from the IMT that the "pioneer" Indonesian contingent, which includes 10 military and five civilian officers, will end its tour of duty June 24.

“We can never compensate the contributions of (contingent head) Col. Khairully and his men but surely Allah will reward them and their families for their noble efforts and services to the Bangsamoro aspiration for peace and justice,” said MILF central committee secretariat head Muhammad Ameen.

“We hope the Indonesian will stay with the IMT for as long as necessary,” he added.

Also, the MILF said the replacements for the Indonesian and two Malaysian IMT members will be coming soon, as the two countries' governments committed to continue sending members to the IMT.

The MILF said the Indonesian contingent under Col. Khairully started its tour of duty on June 24, 2012 and headed the IMT Team Site 5 based in Davao City.

It said its central committee is now organizing a farewell program for the outgoing Indonesian IMT officers.

The IMT monitors on the ground the implementation of the security, humanitarian, development, socio-economic, and civilian protection aspects of the government-MILF peace process.

It has members from Malaysia as head of mission, and from Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Norway and the European Union.

Supporting it are the Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), Mindanao Human Rights Action Center (MinHRAC), Mindanao People’s Caucus (MPC), and the Moslem Organization of Government Officials and Professionals (MOGOP).

Meanwhile, a report on the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal as saying the talks have reached "a stalemate," but their leaders are urging ground commanders  to be patient to avoid renewed hostilities in Mindanao.

Earlier reports also indicate the MILF had been frustrated with the slow pace of the negotiations.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/313097/news/nation/milf-new-batch-of-indonesian-truce-observers-to-arrive-in-mindanao-late-june