Wednesday, August 04, 2004 Peace panel to look into MILF arms import By Jocelyn Reyes
MALACAÑANG is confident that peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would continue despite recent reports that the secessionist group recently acquired armed shipments and returned to recruitment and training of guerilla members.
"No, it will nor be affected," said Silvetsre Afable Jr., chairman of the government panel negotiating with the MILF in a telephone interview.
Afable added that the joint ceasefire committee is now verifying the reports and the panels would await the results of the investigation.
Formal talks had yet to resume as the two panels await advice from Malaysia, which is the third-party facilitator.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye is also confident that the talks would not be affected since "its the GRP-MILF panel that has given the go-signal for a special group to look into this report."
He added that while both the peace talks and the investigations on the report is on going, the Armed Forces and the PNP would continue to conduct its normal operations against lawless elements, bandits and terrorist groups.
Security officials doubted the MILF's sincerity in the talks after the MILF reportedly acquired two shipments of 1,190 automatic rifles and hundreds of thousands of ammunition last July 24 in Palembang, Sultan Kudarat and Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur.
The MILF, which is expected to receive four shipments this year, is also reportedly trying to acquire several heavy machineguns and mortars.
Defense officials also said the MILF continues to recruit and train guerrillas despite the ongoing negotiations. JMR
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