MILF-GPH to resume talks in Malaysia next week

From InterAksyon (Mar 13): MILF-GPH to resume talks in Malaysia next week

The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will resume peace talks in Malaysia next week notwithstanding the continuing crisis in Sabah, where followers of the Sulu sultanate have been battling Malaysian security forces.

“As far as we are concerned, it (peace talks) will resume as scheduled on the third week of March,” Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF’s chief negotiator, said in a phone interview.

However, he did not give a specific date for when the talks will be held.

He would only say that the discussions would include the sharing of power and wealth in the new Bangsamoro political entity that will be created, and “normalization.”

“That is a separate issue, [a] security issue,” Iqbal said, referring to the Sabah crisis. “It cannot affect it (peace talks). As far as we are concerned, there is no effect, direct effect.”

However, he refused to comment further on Sabah, saying: "Our policy is not to comment. It's a very complicated issue."

Iqbal said it is important to continue negotiations with the government to avoid any complications to the peace process in Mindanao.

“Walang reason na magkaroon ng (There is no reason there should be a) delay, anyway the two governments -- Malaysia and the Philippines -- are trying to resolve the issue (Sabah) as soon as possible,” he said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/57026/milf-gph-to-resume-talks-in-malaysia-next-week