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Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Government confident of pact with MILF
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (Updated 1:40 p.m.) -- The Philippine government pledged Tuesday to convince Christian politicians to drop their opposition to an accord aimed at ending a southern insurgency by granting minority Muslims an expanded homeland.
The preliminary agreement had been scheduled to be signed in Malaysia Tuesday, but the Supreme Court (SC) issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) Monday to delay the ceremony after Christian politicians objected to the deal because they were not consulted.
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Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, who flew to Malaysia for the ceremony, said the government was "very confident that eventually, hopefully soon, we should be able to return" to Malaysia to sign the accord.
"Eventually all the stake holders will be familiar with the provisions," he told reporters. "They will understand ... that it is for the good of all, for the peace, stability and development of the region."
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The accord between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would expand an existing autonomous region in Mindanao to add 712 more villages, provided residents approve the move in a vote.
US and Philippine officials hope a final peace accord can transform the resource-rich Mindanao into a bustling economic hub instead of a breeding ground for terrorists. But the preliminary agreement has sparked protests from some Christian politicians and residents.
The SC ordered the provincial politicians and the central government Monday to explain their arguments on August 15, while the attorney general was told to submit a copy of the accord by Friday.
Romulo stressed it would only be a "temporary delay," saying the court delayed the signing because of "procedural issues" that have no impact on the merits and legality of the pact.
"I have full faith and trust in (the court) and they will find a way to decide in the shortest possible time," Romulo said.
The MILF rebels - with an estimated 11,000 armed fighters - have been battling for self-rule in the predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines' volatile south for four decades, with thousands dying in the conflict.
They said Tuesday that the delay in the signing was embarrassing for the government. Mohagher Iqbal, the chief rebel peace negotiator, said "the pact is a done deal" because both sides have already initialed the text of the agreement.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim, whose country has brokered peace talks between Manila and the rebels, voiced hopes that the delay will not hurt a 2003 ceasefire that has eased clashes on the Philippines' southern Mindanao island.
"There ought not to be violence in any instance or in any area," Rais said, adding that Malaysia will remain part of a contingent of truce monitors in the southern Philippines that include personnel from Brunei, Libya and Japan. (AP/Sunnex)
(August 5, 2008 issue)
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