From Website of OPPAP
links: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/
GPH to MILF: We look forward to peace deal in 2012
“This administration is looking forward to forge a
negotiated political settlement in the first quarter of next year.”
Marvic Leonen
Kuala Lumpur, Dec. 7 - Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace
panel chair Marvic Leonen challenged the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) to come up with a peace pact in 2012.
“This administration is looking forward to forge a negotiated
political settlement in the first quarter of next year,” he said on
Wednesday as the 23rd formal exploratory talks between the two parties
concluded in the Malaysian capital.
Leonen described this round of formal talks as productive. “I agree
with my counterpart (Mohagher Iqbal) that we have moved forward. The
exchange between the two parties in the past three days has been frank,
cordial and very professional.”
The GPH panel chair said he envisions the peace agreement with the
MILF as “inspired by the Islamic virtue of Amanah qilafah or trust,
stewardship and accountability.”
“It is in that spirit that we made a proposal to the MILF,” he added.
Leonen said that President Aquino has likewise expressed high hopes
on forging a peace pact in the soonest possible time. In a media forum
on Tuesday, the President said that he is “reasonably confident that we
are both (gov't and MILF) after the same goal which is the attainment of
a just peace.”
“It’s really a question of semantics,” President Aquino stated. “They
(MILF) have a phraseology that we are not exactly comfortable with; we
have phraseology that they think is a little bit weak.”
“But I think, in substance, we are on the same level, on the same
plane and we will get closer and closer to that meeting of the minds
with everybody’s assistance, of course,” the President added.
On the same note, MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal said that
“the talks have moved forward,” but both parties still have a long way
to go. “Hard and prolonged discussions for the past three days is just a
tip of the iceberg,” he added.
Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed also
conveyed the same confidence. “I see some light, progress towards
achieving real and lasting peace.”
IMT mandate to be renewed
In a joint statement, both parties agreed to renew for another year
the mandate of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) which will expire
in March 2012. Likewise, they agreed to adopt the Terms of Reference
(TOR) of its Humanitarian, Rehabilitation and Development Component.
Composed of representatives from Malaysian, Brunei, Libya, Japan,
Norway and European Union, the IMT monitors the ceasefire, civilian
protection component, rehabilitation and development, and socio-economic
agreements between the government and the MILF.
Both parties are set to meet again in January 2012 to continue their discussions on the substantive issues.
In closing, they extended their appreciation to President Aquino “for
his commitment to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao” and to
Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tan Haj Abdul Razak
“for his continued support in the facilitation of the GPH-MILF peace
talks.”
