Government, MILF hit splinter group for recent attacks

THE Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) slammed Wednesday the recent attacks of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFF-BIFM) in several military installations in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

The BIFM is a group formed by breakaway MILF commander Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato and is considered a lawless group, which is not covered by the ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF.

Government peace panel chief Marvic Leonen, in his opening speech in resumption of formal peace talks in Malaysia, said the "attacks were suspiciously timed to coincide with the opening of the 30th formal exploratory talks between the Government of the Philippines (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," he said. "They have lost the moral high ground: they have put communities and civilians in harm's way for amorphous and illegitimate objectives."

The 200-strong BIFM broke off last year from the larger MILF. The group has opposed the negotiations and vowed to continue fighting for an independent homeland for minority Muslims in the south.

"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.

He added that members of Kato's group "have lost the moral high ground" as they have put communities and civilians in harm's way.

Since the MILF breakaway group is not covered by any ceasefire agreements, Leonen said its members "will be the subject of continued operations with all the sensitivities required by the rules of engagement."

MILF peace panel chair Mohagher 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."

At the same time, Leonen said the negotiations with the MILF are proceeding with undeniable momentum.

"Our negotiations are proceeding with undeniable momentum. 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," he said.

Both parties presented their technical working groups (TWGs) 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 and 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.

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 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."

Iqbal, on the other hand, urged his counterpart to "persevere," saying he "expects every sort of obstacles and complications… (as the) bargaining becomes more intense in the final stage." (SDR/Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)