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Monday, June 09, 2003
MILF may extend ceasefire, says spokesman
CAGAYAN DE ORO -- If government's notice for the resumption of peace talks from Malaysia meets with its approval, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will extend its unilateral ceasefire past June 10, a leader of the rebel group said.
In Manila, President Arroyo's spokesman Ignacio Bunye hints of a possible permanent ceasefire with Moro separatist guerillas, saying it will be an appropriate welcome for the Chief Executive when she visits Mindanao from June 10 to 17.
According to MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu, even with Arroyo's announcement that government was ready to go back to the negotiating table, the rebel group will still wait for the "official notice and documents" from Malaysia.
"We need the hard copy of the note for the resumption of peace talks channeled to Malaysia as this is the established protocol," he told Sun.Star Sunday night.
As soon as this document reaches their hands, Kabalu said the MILF central committee would hold a meeting to evaluate its content.
They will be particularly watchful on whether it fits the context of the joint agreement the government signed with the MILF during exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last March 28 as well as the 1999 bilateral pact also signed by the two parties.
Kabalu said if they are convinced of government's sincerity through the document, the MILF will go back to the negotiating table and extend its unilateral ceasefire.
"The MILF will continue suspending all our military operations and go back to holding formal talks with the government," he said.
Joint agreement
The joint agreement signed by the MILF and government in March 28 in Malaysia included the commitment of the two parties to stop fighting in Mindanao.
Part of this commitment will be the military's withdrawal from Pikit, Cotabato and dropping of criminal charges against MILF leaders.
The 1999 pact includes the understanding that military troops cannot just enter identified MILF camps under the presumption that an outlaw is seeking refuge there.
Another agreement is for an Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) team to act as the monitoring body for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
Kabalu explained this does not mean that the MILF is "holding hostage" or "blackmailing" the government but merely presenting "valid issues and concerns."
To him, this as it would be very difficult for them to believe government's sincerity especially as it has not implemented previous agreements it signed with the MILF.
"If they can't implement what they signed last March 28 during the exploratory talks then what is the use of going back to the negotiating table with them?" he said.
Monitor, evaluate
On the other hand, Bunye said that before government even thinks of making a ceasefire with the MILF permanent, it will monitor the rebel group and evaluate if the developments on the ground merit the declaration of a lasting truce.
The military will evaluate if the MILF is able to keep the unilateral ceasefire it implemented starting June 2, added Bunye.
"Ang nangyayari po, kung nagkakaroon ng mga violations ay sinasabi po nila hindi sa amin iyan, lost command iyan. Ang gusto ho nating makita na kaya nilang magpatupad ng disiplina doon sa kanilang mga tauhan sa field," Bunye said.
(What usually happens is, if the MILF violates the ceasefire, it will disown the group responsible for the attack. What we would like to happen is for MILF leaders to exercise discipline over their men in the field.)
Government does not easily believe the disclaimers issued by the MILF that those involved in attacks on communities are members of factions especially as the groups are usually composed of 50 or more guerillas, pointed out Bunye.
Nevertheless, with or without a permanent ceasefire, Arroyo will proceed with her scheduled visit to Mindanao to check on the implementation of the Mindanao Initiative or Mindanao Natin development program.
Bunye said the visit is important since it will serve to boost the program that aims to benefit more than 5,000 barangays in Mindanao.
According to Bunye, if government sees that the MILF is sincere in its suspension of military operations, it is ready to counter the group's effort with a permanent ceasefire.
Mindanao visit
Col. Delfin Bangit, head of the Presidential Security Group, said that although there are some security concerns, Arroyo's Mindanao visit would push through as scheduled.
"We will do our job, will secure the President and we will ensure her safety," he said in a separate interview.
But Bangit does not expect anything to happen while Arroyo is in Mindanao.
He said local residents of places that Arroyo will visit should expect security to be tight with more police and military forces protecting the areas.
These include Davao City, Sarangani, General Santos, Zamboanga City, Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao, General Salipada Pendatun in North Cotabato, Marawi City, Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro, Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur and Butuan City.
Bangit said they have also run through the security for the diplomatic corps who would attend the vin d' honneur at the Majini Port Naval Forces base in Zamboanga City on Independence Day.
Arroyo would attend the flag raising, wreath laying and oath of allegiance ceremonies at the General Santos City Hall on June 12 as part of the commemoration of the 105th Independence Day before proceeding to the Majini Port Naval Forces base.
She will then host a command conference and press conference and have dinner with local government officials. Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex Luzon
(June 9, 2003 issue)
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