MILF: Peace Monitors leave at times of ‘complexity and challenge’

Posted to the MILF Website (Mar 14): Peace Monitors leave at times of ‘complexity and challenge’



Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said on Saturday (March 12) that the 10th batch of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) is leaving Mindanao at a time of “complicated situation and difficult challenge” as the ceasefire observers made its farewell call to the MILF leadership at the latter’s administrative base in Camp Darapanan in Maguindanao.

Obviously referring to the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and its aftermath, Murad said that there is widespread dismay over the failure of government to deliver on its commitments especially on the political track.

He related that in their recent meeting, even Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was also unhappy with the failure of Philippine Congress to pass the legislative measure that would implement the signed agreements.

Malaysia has been facilitating the peace talks between the MILF and GPH since 2001 upon the request of then Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“There always seems to be problem on implementation after every agreement …from 1976 Tripoli Agreement … then to the FAB and CAB,” Murad recounted before the departing 15-man Malaysian contingent of the IMT.

But the MILF head reiterated that they would continue to demand that the Government of the Philippines implement the signed agreements whoever becomes the next president.

Murad acknowledged the strong commitment of the Malaysian government to the peace process.

“In spite of the seeming lull in the peace process, your government still agrees to send another batch of the IMT. We see that as a manifestation of your government’s commitment to the GPH-MILF peace process,” he said.

The 10th batch was headed by MGen Dato Sheikh Mokhsin bin Sheikh Hassan. Their tour-of-duty officially began exactly a year ago and ends today (March 14).

Major Gen. Datuk Wira Zamrose Bin Mohd Zain of the Malaysian Royal Armed Forces, incoming Head of Mission for IMT 11, is already in the Philippines. He joined the outgoing batch in the visit to Camp Darapanan.

On February 27, an online newspaper quoted PM Najib Razak as saying that “Malaysian Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein will be accompanying our new batch of observers in the International Monitoring Team (IMT) during the handing over process in Cotabato City, next month.”

Approximately, a total of 255 officers and personnel from the Malaysian security forces and defense ministry (IMT Batch 10 included) have participated in the peacekeeping mission since September 2004.

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