Government, MILF resume peace talks in Malaysia

THE Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) resumed Monday the formal talks in Malaysia to discuss the remaining issues on the four annexes of the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).

The 36th formal exploratory talks will try to settle the "remaining unsettled substantive issues" on power-sharing, wealth-sharing, transitional arrangement and modalities, and normalization, which consistently evaded the two negotiating teams for almost six months since they started discussing these issues in August last year, the MILF said.

The Muslim rebels said the meeting would involve fewer members from both peace delegations, because only the three members of the Technical Working Committee (TWG) on Normalization are joining their respective delegation.

Members of the TWGs on power-sharing and wealth-sharing have already exited and the remaining issues they failed to settle were elevated to the peace panels for resolution.

Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Mohagher Iqbal head the peace panels for the government and the MILF, respectively.

Also joining the two panels are their consultants and experts on taxation and transportation and communication.

The government and the MILF are also expected to formally organize the Third Party Monitoring Team, which will be composed of international and domestic players and will oversee the implementation of FAB, which was signed in October last year by both parties. (SDR/Sunnex)