On Resuming the GRP-MILF Peace Talks

OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Central Committee
December 26, 2008


The call to stop the current fighting in Mindanao and resume the GRP-MILF Peace Talks from the international community particularly the European Union (EU), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Japan, and other states, and several local and international organizations including those affiliated with the United Nations, is not only timely but a very welcomed development. The MILF always values and pursues the track of peace and negotiation, which the late MILF chairman Salamat Hashim described as “the most practical and civilized way” of solving the age-old Moro Problem and the armed conflict in Mindanao. As facts of the 11-year peace talks clearly indicated, the MILF has always given the peace talks the chance to succeed, but the main stumbling block is the Philippine government. The best evidence is its refusal or failure to sign the “initialed” Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in Putrajaya, Selangor, Malaysia on August 5, 2008.

The MILF is open to resume the “collapsed” or stalled GRP-MILF Peace Talks. To show that the MILF is committed to the peace talks, the MILF Peace Panel has not been disbanded despite the hasty exit of the GRP Peace Panel. We are also observing the ceasefire agreement despite the sustained and massive offensive of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted against so-called three rogue commanders of the MILF, which spilled over to areas of other MILF base commanders and did not only widen the theater of war in Mindanao but also resulted into a “humanitarian crisis” of grand scale. More than 600,000 civilians or evacuees or internally displaced persons (IDPs) were uprooted from their homes and farmlands. They are in evacuation centers, in public or even private buildings or empty lots or are accommodated by relatives and friends.

The debacle in Malaysia still haunts us. We do not want to repeat this bitter experience, which is mainly the consequence of lack of government’s political will and diplomatic finesse or accountability. In view of these, the MILF finds it necessary to come out with this declaration:

1. Before the GRP-MILF Peace Talks resume, there must be an international guarantee composed of states or association of states, which will provide guarantee that both the GRP and MILF will honor and implement agreement or agreements forged by the parties. This will give the assurance that the MOA-AD tragedy will not be repeated anymore;



2. Both sides resolve the issue of the MOA-AD which the MILF viewed as “done deal” in contravention to GRP’s “no deal” and “unconstitutional” stance;



3. The International Monitoring Team (IMT) will be allowed to discharge its duties and functions, as contained in the IMT Term of Reference (TOR) including the investigation of all the violations of the ceasefire since July 1, 2008 up to the present;



4. The AFP immediately cease military offensive in Mindanao against the MILF even in the guise of running after its three “rogue commanders”, pursuant to and in compliance with the Security Aspect of the Tripoli Agreement on Peace on June 22, 2001 in order to put a halt to the mass evacuation of people as well as the accompanying destruction to houses, farmlands, working animals, and other properties, pursuant to the Relief, Rehabilitation, and Humanitarian Aspect of the same Agreement; and



5. Malaysia will stay as facilitator of the peace talks.

Al Haj Murad Ebrahim
Chairman

********************************************************

Norodin Alonto Lucman is the author of ISLAM WAR ON TERROR, Perspectives on the History of Islam, Terrorism and Armed Conflicts in East Asia (History, 700 pages). Rescued 40 kidnapped hostages; Cited as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Mindanaoans in 2001; Advised Pres. Fidel Ramos, DILG Sec. Raffy Alunan III, NSC Chavit Singson and MILF CC on the Mindanao peace process; involvement in pacification campaigns. There is more in life than just nuts and bolts, fun and games. God gave each one a mission to fulfill in one's sojourn on earth, in the interest of humanity and environment. We are just passing through. To Him we return eventually. Death, as in life, is an act of divine wisdom.

Subscribe in a reader Click on the images to receive your free email updates
POGB will not sell, exchange, use or allow any 3rd party access to your email for
any other purposes without exception, email exclusively for article updates only.
Facebook me!



Politics Filipinos Filipino-Americans Philippine Politics