MNLF insists on 1996 pact, bucks OIC mediation

From the Manila Standard Today (Aug 20): MNLF insists on 1996 pact, bucks OIC mediation

The MNLF on Monday vowed not to yield to pressure from the government and rejected a third-party negotiator to step in and resolve the confusion over the 1996 final peace agreement.

The MNLF’s spokesman Absalom Cerveza issued the hardline stance after Undersecretary Jose Lorena of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process said “they (MNLF) need to engage us and articulate their position.”

“It is a very arrogant expression from the government,” said Cerveza, also MNLF Peace Panel Head.

By putting closure to the 1996 final peace agreement, Cerveza said  “we are also closing our doors for any renewed peace talks.”  He reminded the government to review their blunders without blaming other parties.

“The problem is that they’ve overlook the entire situation,” Cerveza said.

OPAP Secretary Teresita Deles disclosed that the Organization of Islamic Cooperating would be coming in to try to resolve the conflict between the government and the MNLF.

Cerveza said the OIC would not have any impact on the MNLF’s position with the declaration of Independence by Nur Misuari in Mindanao.

“If the OIC wants to talk with the MNLF, we will be very courteous to receive them,” Cerveza said “but we are not going to the negotiating table. It depends on the gesture of the OIC.”

Cervez rejected the integration of the MNLF agenda in  the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. He demanded that the MILF terms should instead be linked to the 1996 peace pact, which is what the OIC strongly recommended.

“The basic law should instead be incorporated to the FPA of 1996 and not the other way around. That’s what has been said to me by the OIC Secretary General that they are enjoining the government to include the framework which would part of the 1996 peace agreement,” Cerveza said.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/08/20/mnlf-insists-on-1996-pact-bucks-oic-mediation/