From Rappler (Oct 8): Indonesia vows help in dealing with MNLF
Described as a “constant friend” by the Philippine president, Indonesia vowed to help the Philippine government resolve its issues with the rebel group Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, in turn, invited Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to visit the Philippines. Yudhoyono proposed visiting the Philippines in 2014, Aquino told reporters Monday, October 7.
“They have been a very constant friend. I can even attest to the fact that Indonesia as a people, during my mother’s time, was helping us already address the issue with MNLF,” said Aquino, the son of former president Corazon Aquino.
“So imagine how many decades have passed and they are still here,” he said. “They haven’t gotten tired of helping us and they have, in fact, reiterated their desire to continue helping us as far as that aspect is concerned.”
Aquino met with Yudhoyono on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Indonesia. He met with other world leaders, such as Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, whom he also invited to visit the Philippines.
PH, Indonesia on MNLF
Indonesia brokered the successful peace talks between the Ramos administration and the MNLF, which led to the signing of a peace deal in Jakarta in September 1996.
It is currently hosting talks to review the agreement's implementation.
Indonesia, in fact, called for a peaceful resolution of the MNLF's Zamboanga siege last September.
Emmanuel Fontanilla, spokesman of MNLF founding chair Nur Misuari, had repeatedly said Indonesia should serve as a 3rd-party mediator to resolve the Zamboanga conflict. The Philippine government, however, had clarified the MNLF didn't formally request Indonesia to intervene in the crisis.
Indonesia also heads the peace committee of the Organization on Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The OIC also condemned the violence in Zamboanga City.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/40873-aquino-yudhoyono-mnlf-agreement
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