From the Website of OPPAP
Gov't 'comfortable' with conclusion of 28th formal talks with MILF -- Leonen
Posted on Wednesday, 30 May, 2012 - 19:35
Kuala Lumpur, May 30 - Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace
panel chair Marvic Leonen said that he is "comfortable" with how this
month's round of talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
ended.
The three-day 28th formal exploratory talks between the GPH and the
MILF officially concluded today with both sides agreeing to go back to
their principals and further refine their respective positions on the
substantive agenda.
A month after signing the landmark Decision Points on Principles
document which both parties view as a guide to the continuing
discussions on the substantive aspects of the negotiations, both parties
went back to the Malaysian capital to explore each other's positions on
wealth-sharing, power-sharing, governance, transition roadmap and
normalization. These discussions shall serve as inputs to the peace pact
which both parties hope to sign soon.
"There were highs and lows in our discussions," GPH panel member
Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said, "but I'd like to believe that we were able
to share each other's bottomlines and explore different possibilities."
For his part, Leonen said that "the talks have been difficult but we
were able to build on what has been achieved in last month's round (of
talks)."
Leonen further emphasized that what's important for the government is
that it was able to bring to the table the results of the consultations
conducted with the different stakeholders in the Mindanao peace
process.
Meanwhile, the panel will continue to engage national and local
officials, civil society groups, communities, experts and other
stakeholders to gain their insights on the government's position.
Aside from Leonen and Ferrer, the government peace panel is composed
of Presidential Assistant for Muslim Concerns Yasmin Busran-Lao, former
agriculture secretary Senen Bacani and Dr. Hamid Barra.
Joining the panel in this round of talks are North Cotabato 1st
district Rep. Jesus Sacdalan, Maguindanao Gov. Esmael "Toto"
Mangudadatu, Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar, Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, Tawi-Tawi
Gov. Sadikul Sahali and Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong who served as
consultants and observers to the negotiations. #
Website of OPPAP
links:
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