European Union participation welcomed

PEACE advocates and leaders of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) welcomed the participation of the European Union (EU) in the Mindanao peace process through the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

Pastor Reu Montecillo, co-chair of non-government group Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC), said the more elaborate EU participation signals an expanding international support base for the peace process.

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"I am hopeful this will boost the environment for a fruitful negotiation between government and the MILF towards a political solution to the Bangsamoro problem," said Montecillo.

Earlier, the EU Delegation in the Philippines has announced its willingness to lead the Humanitarian, Rehabilitation and Development Component of the IMT.

Montecillo noted that prior to embarking on a more direct role in the peace process, the EU has been a major source of humanitarian and development assistance funds for conflict-affected areas of Mindanao.

He said the EU has been bankrolling the activities of an independent ceasefire monitoring through the Bantay Ceasefire, which has volunteers in localities of eight provinces where there is presence of MILF troops.

From solely overseeing implementation by government and the MILF of their agreed upon terms for a ceasefire regime, the IMT's mandate was revised in December 2009 to also cover civilian protection, security, socio-economic assistance, and humanitarian aid, rehabilitation and development.

Such mandate is the product of the Malaysia-brokered peace negotiations between the two parties.

The first IMT team was deployed in 2004. By 2008, it has included personnel from Malaysia, Brunei, Japan and Libya. Recently, Norway has also indicated willingness to participate in the IMT, subject to an agreed Terms of Reference.

Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chair for political affairs, said the EU decision is "a landmark development" that can "hasten the resolution of the Bangsamoro issue through negotiation and diplomacy as well as confidence-building on the ground."

Mohagher Iqbal, MILF peace panel chair, said EU participation in the IMT indicates the "strong commitment and support of the international community to the continuity and conclusion of the peace process."

"We hope that this will stimulate the decision of the governments of Indonesia and Qatar to accept the invitation to join the IMT sooner than later," Iqbal said.

Started in 1997, peace negotiations between government and the MILF broke down in August 2008 following the botched signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain that outlined a proposed homeland and self-governance arrangement.

Since the restart of exploratory talks in December 2009, foreign governments and institutions, and peace advocacy groups still see "a great need to build confidence" among the parties hence their call for continuing international support to the process.