Host Malaysia only a facilitator, Malacañang stresses

THE government will not allow any foreign intervention in the peace talks between the Philippine and Moro Islamic Liberation Front panels.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that Malaysia is strictly a facilitator in the talks, pointing out that the substantive issues of the peace negotiations have yet to be threshed out by the two panels.

“We will not allow foreign intervention on the substantive issues between the peace panels. We have also addressed the issue of venue with the Malaysian foreign ministry early on,” she said.

Valte was reacting to MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar’s rejection of the proposal of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to hold the informal talks in the country. Jaafar stressed that a neutral ground has already been agreed upon by the two panels.

He also said that the two panels have agreed on a facilitator which should be respected by both parties.

Jaafar is optimistic that the scheduled informal talks this November in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia would push through where a political solution to the problem of the Bangsamoro or independent Muslim state in Mindanao will be tackled to mitigate the consequences of the unfortunate clashes in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay where about 28 soldiers were slain.

Enrile earlier said that international monitoring organizations should stay out of the government’s peace talks with MILF.

He said the government negotiating panel can do without the assistance of international monitoring organizations and other nations must not intrude in the peace talks as this may only aggravate an already complicated situation.

The Senate leader also assailed Presidential Peace Process Adviser Teresita Deles for apparently being keen on the idea of resuming the peace talks in Kuala Lumpur this November.

“We still have problems with the MILF. The clashes that happened in Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao Del Norte are not yet clear,” Enrile said.

“I think these attacks were done deliberately by the MILF to test the current government’s resolve. That is my impression. And I heard that the MILF, will insist on their demand for a sub-state. No less, no more,” he said.

Enrile said the government should make it clear how it regards the conflict with the MILF because as far as lawmakers are concerned the issues are considered an internal problem.

He also disputed the Aquino government’s P5 million aid to the  MILF to start a Bangsamoro Management and Leadership Institute instead of sending Moro leaders to existing government institutions like the Philippine Military Academy where they could be trained.

Citing his experience during then President Ferdinand Marcos regime, the former Defense minister said he could not recall Marcos having agreed to give cash donations to the MILF.