links: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/gph-milf-talks-formally-opens-parties-create-working-groups
GPH, MILF talks formally opens; parties create working groups
Posted on Wednesday, 8 August, 2012 - 14:36
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 – After yesterday’s executive session, the
Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) formally opened today the 30th round of exploratory talks
between the two parties.
“Our negotiations are proceeding with undeniable momentum,” GPH panel
chair Marvic Leonen said in his opening statement as both parties
presented their technical working groups (TWGs) on power-sharing and
wealth-sharing.
The TWGs are tasked to delve into the details of power-sharing and
wealth-sharing and flesh out issues. Their outputs will be presented to
both panels for approval.
Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato' Ghafar Tengku bin Mohamed noted
the creation of the TWGs of both parties as a “sign of progress” in the
15-year negotiations.
On the government side, panel member Miriam Coronel-Ferrer will head
the working group on power-sharing. Joining her are Upi, Maguindanao
Mayor and alternate panel member Ramon Piang, former Autonomous Region
in Muslim Mindanao Attorney General Jose Lorena and Office of Political
Affairs Undersecretary and 1986 Constitutional Commission member Chito
Gascon.
Panel member Senen Bacani will head the TWG on wealth-sharing with
panel member Yasmin Busran-Lao as adviser. Joining them are Department
of Environment and National Resources Assistant Secretary Anselmo
Abungan and National Economic Development Authority Regional Director
Ma. Lourdes Lim.
On the MILF side, Dr. Habib Macaayong leads the working group on
power-sharing with Ustadz Anwar Sirad and Prof. Ali Ayuib as members.
Their working group on wealth-sharing is led by Dr. Benjamin Domato with
Dr. Mahid Macalingkang and Archie Buayah as members.
Complex and difficult negotiations
Leonen underscored that while both parties are in the last stretch of
the negotiations, “the next stages will still be as complex.”
“As we mentioned during the last round of talks, our principals will
be confronted with issues that will require difficult decisions,” Leonen
said adding that he is “sure that our principals will be willing to
make them and communicate them through us so that we can work on these
concerns.”
On his part, MILF panel chair Mohagher Iqbal urged his counterpart to
“persevere” saying that he “expects every sort of obstacles and
complications… (as the) bargaining becomes more intense in the final
stage.”
Both parties slammed the recent attacks of the Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFF-BIFM)
in several military installations in Maguindanao and the municipality of
Midsayap, North Cotabato.
The BIFM is a group formed by breakaway MILF commander Ustadz Ameril
Umra Kato and is considered a lawless group, which is not covered by the
ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF.
Leonen said that the “attacks were suspiciously timed to coincide
with the opening of the 30th Formal Exploratory Talks between the GPH
and the MILF.
“Clearly, this group of Ustadz Ameril Umra Kato are one of the few
that are willing to go at lengths to deny our communities and our
peoples the benefit of a just and lasting peaceful settlement to our
armed conflicts," Leonen said.
“They have lost the moral high ground: they have put communities and
civilians in harm’s way for amorphous and illegitimate objectives.”
Iqbal described the violent acts of Kato’s group as an example of
“dirty spoiling” and stressed that the “MILF has demonstrated itself as a
reliable partner in peacemaking.”
“The path to peace is the most fruitful way, not through war,” Iqbal
said. “The MILF is confronting the problem of radicalism especially
among the youth head on.”
Leonen stressed that “we will certainly not pause because of
unreasonable violent acts from those who cannot see that the just way to
resolve our conflict is through patient and candid dialogue.
OPPAP Website
links:
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