GPH, MILF conclude exploratory talks on positive note

Kuala Lumpur, Jan. 14 – The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have put the peace negotiations back on track following a one-day exploratory meeting here that yielded positive results.

In a press statement released last night, government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen said that both parties will resume formal, exploratory talks on February 9-10.

For the February meeting, the panels agreed to consider the renewal of the mandate of the IMT (International Monitoring Team) and the AHJAG (Ad Hoc Joint Action Group) as part of the agenda.

The IMT has been monitoring the ceasefire, socio-economic and humanitarian agreements between the government and the MILF since 2004. It is currently comprised of delegates from Malaysia, Brunei, Japan and Libya.

AHJAG, on the other hand, is a group of military and MILF representatives mandated to "isolate" and "interdict" kidnap-for-ransom groups, rogue or "lost command" rebel units and other criminal elements operating in Mindanao.

Leonen added that the GPH affirmed the security guarantees previously agreed on and will issue identity cards to members of the MILF participating in the peace negotiations.

“The MILF submitted a list of 25 MILF members allegedly in the custody of Philippine security agencies. Government, in turn, agreed to review individually the cases of the people in the list,” he said.

The chief negotiator also stated that they have welcomed the solution offered by the Malaysian government regarding the issue of facilitation.

“They are optimistic that talks will move forward constructively,” he stated.

Leonen, along with panel member Miriam Coronel Ferrer and head of secretariat Iona Jalijali, made up the government delegation.

The MILF delegation, on the other hand, was composed of panel chair Mohagher Iqbal, panel member Michael Mastura and head of secretariat Jun Mantawil.

(Advisory: GPH Panel Chair Marvic Leonen will be giving a media briefing upon arrival from Kuala Lumpur today, 3 p.m. at the Malacanang Palace)