Thursday, August 14, 2008 Gov't-MILF peace talks to continue despite conflict
GOVERNMENT officials are confident that planned filing of charges against Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commander Umbra Kato would not affect the ongoing peace negotiations as the Muslim group knows that previous sub-agreements do not exempt or condone criminal activities.
Chief government negotiator with MILF Rodolfo Garcia said criminal activities are not covered by the ceasefire agreement and Kato must answer to the bars of justice for defying existing laws, including the deadline of the government for his men to vacate areas in North Cotabato Province they illegally occupied.
Garcia said Kato also defied the MILF central committee.
He said he expects the next peace talks to tackle the illegal takeover of parts of North Cotabato especially when the issue of disarmament is already on the agenda.
Presidential peace adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said he sees fighting between government forces and MILF rebels in the province to "end pretty soon" but did not give any timetable.
"We must pursue peace. No change towards that direction," he said, adding that the policy for a peaceful settlement of the Mindanao conflict remains.
"There is no way we can give up on the peace process. There are a lot of things and recommendation that worth pursuing," he said.
Fighting erupted in North Cotabato over the weekend after the MILF rebels led by Kato refused to vacate some barangays prompting government troops to attack.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said government forces had already driven away MILF renegades, and the troops would remain on alert in the area to ensure that the residents would not be attacked or driven away again.
He said the more than 15,000 families displaced due to the fighting have already started returning to their homes.
"Hopefully, the day after tomorrow (Friday), a great majority will have returned to their homes," Ermita said, adding that follow-up and pursuit operations are being done by the military in anticipation of threats of some MILF renegades to reposition and possibly return.
"Government will not stand idly without defending its citizens," he added.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu claimed that Kato's group had not withdrawn but was merely repositioning themselves to another area.
Ermita said the MILF's reported defense of Kato aims to send a message that the MILF is not divided but a united force to be reckon with.
He said to prove that they are united and in control, the MILF central committee should show that they could control and address the situation.
According to him, the MILF should also voluntarily remove landmines supposedly planted and left behind in the illegally occupied areas, and order their men to stop any attacks of military and police detachments. (JMR/Sunnex)
