MERGED: MILF-GRP Peace Process, Related Issues and Developments

[grabehbebe]

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Malacañang assured yesterday the nation that the peace process in Mindanao remains "unimpaired" even with the series of clashes between government troops and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels.

Sec. Bunye also said that they will look into complaints of violations of the ceasefire agreenment between the government and the MILF and that the authorities will continue to hunt down the perpetrators of the recent bobings in maguindanao, while the AFPs, PNP, the ceasefire committees and the International Monitoring team will continue to manage the situation in the spirit of cooperation, fair play and adherence to common objecticves.

[baron]

The ceasefire in Maguindanao is taking its toll. However, we should be wary with the continued attacks and propaganda of this rebel group despite their call to peace talks. It seems they wanted to deceive this government. They pretend to seek for peace but they continue to attack the government. The government should sustain its decision of an all-out war unless the NDF agrees with a ceasefire.

Since they continue to fight behind our back, the government should really enforce the all-out war. Otherwise, we will be left again with the wrongful hope that this rebel group will honor its words on peace talks even if they are really attacking us.

[grabehbebe]

NEWS: GMA tells AFP to work with MILF on peace

PRESIDENT Arroyo has ordered the Armed Forces to coordinate with the government-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) joint ceasefire committee and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) to maintain peace and order in Maguindanao.

Malacañang was also quick to say that the clash between MILF members and the Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO), the PNP’s paramilitary group, has no effect on the peace process between the government and the MILF. "The latest incident of conflict is an isolated case that has not dented the overall spirit of the peace process," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.

Bunye said Arroyo has also ordered the AFP to work with relief agencies and local governments to see to the needs of more than 3,300 families displaced by the fighting which stemmed from the CVO’s attempt to arrest MILF commanders Jamil Ombra and Sajid Pakiladato.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/jul05/metro1.htm

[wanderlust]

The ceasefire in Maguindanao is taking its toll. However, we should be wary with the continued attacks and propaganda of this rebel group despite their call to peace talks. It seems they wanted to deceive this government. They pretend to seek for peace but they continue to attack the government. The government should sustain its decision of an all-out war unless the NDF agrees with a ceasefire.

Since they continue to fight behind our back, the government should really enforce the all-out war. Otherwise, we will be left again with the wrongful hope that this rebel group will honor its words on peace talks even if they are really attacking us.

That's true. Even so, peace talks should go on for the sake of those who sincerely want to abandon arms. We must take into consideration that there are those who have only been intimidated into joining the NPA. For the others, if they stubbornly refuse all overtures of peace on the part of the government, then the government has no choice. It is also its responsibility to protect innocent civilians from harassment and extortion by communist insurgents.

[grabehbebe]

MILF airs peace overtures

Reaches out to Ampatuan to promote peace talks Rebel group sends emissary to effect ceasefire

BY EDD K. USMAN & MARK NAVALES

The separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday reiterated its peace overtures to Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan, saying it believes the governor continues to support the Mindanao peace process.

Muhammad Ameen, chairman of the MILF Central Committee Secretariat said he does not believe the governor was a threat to the search for peace in the strife-torn southern island.

"What is lacking for the time being is a sort of reaching out mechanism in conveying to him (Ampatuan) that the MILF never considers him as an enemy," said Ameen after the series of encounters between government militia units and the 105 Base Command of the MILF under Ustadhz Ameril Umbra Kato.

Mohagher Iqbal, chief negotiator of the MILF, stressed that Governor Ampatuan "has never said he opposed the peace talks" that started back in 1997.

Kato and Ustadhz Said Pakiladato have standing warrants of arrest as suspects in the December 2003 bomb attack in Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

They were also implicated by authorities in the June 23 attack on the governor’s vehicle in Shariff Aguak.

Meanwhile, Pakiladato broke his silence yesterday, denying in an interview with Cotabato City-based radio dxMS that he had a hand in the two attacks.

Earlier, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu also denied that Kato and Pakiladato were involved in the two bombings that claimed 22 lives and wounded scores of people.

To prove its sincerity, the rebel group has sent an official peace emissary to the governor "possibly to effect an immediate ceasefire," said Kabalu. However, he said this should not be seen as "a sign of weakness."

"The best decision a true Muslim could extend to a fellow Muslim is a hand of peace and fraternity," he said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2006070668599.html

[Freeza]

MILF airs peace overtures

Reaches out to Ampatuan to promote peace talks Rebel group sends emissary to effect ceasefire

BY EDD K. USMAN & MARK NAVALES

The separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday reiterated its peace overtures to Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan, saying it believes the governor continues to support the Mindanao peace process.

Muhammad Ameen, chairman of the MILF Central Committee Secretariat said he does not believe the governor was a threat to the search for peace in the strife-torn southern island.

"What is lacking for the time being is a sort of reaching out mechanism in conveying to him (Ampatuan) that the MILF never considers him as an enemy," said Ameen after the series of encounters between government militia units and the 105 Base Command of the MILF under Ustadhz Ameril Umbra Kato.

Mohagher Iqbal, chief negotiator of the MILF, stressed that Governor Ampatuan "has never said he opposed the peace talks" that started back in 1997.

Kato and Ustadhz Said Pakiladato have standing warrants of arrest as suspects in the December 2003 bomb attack in Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

They were also implicated by authorities in the June 23 attack on the governor’s vehicle in Shariff Aguak.

Meanwhile, Pakiladato broke his silence yesterday, denying in an interview with Cotabato City-based radio dxMS that he had a hand in the two attacks.

Earlier, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu also denied that Kato and Pakiladato were involved in the two bombings that claimed 22 lives and wounded scores of people.

To prove its sincerity, the rebel group has sent an official peace emissary to the governor "possibly to effect an immediate ceasefire," said Kabalu. However, he said this should not be seen as "a sign of weakness."

"The best decision a true Muslim could extend to a fellow Muslim is a hand of peace and fraternity," he said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2006070668599.html

that is one example that a peace treaty with the MILF will not solve the south problem the MILF is only one or around 10% of the total problem in mindanao in terms of guns, and violence even that lone warlord even as big as the MILF cant just engage it in conflict without big casualties and there are many warlords like that governor in the south that had its own big armies its fortunate most them are pro goverment... the MILF should be treated by it size to the problem they are not really that big shot as seemingly they are.

[grabehbebe]

The gov't is very much willing to resume peace talks with the communist rebels unless they are willing to make clean negotiations with the government. The government said that if they are willing to achieve peace in the southern area of the country, they should be willing to disband the New People’s Army, bring their struggle for societal change in the political arena, and compete equally with other parties, the way we social democrats are, who heads a group of social democrats called the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas. But Sec. Gonzales said it will be all usefull if this peacetalks would start without securing ceasefire and surrender agreement from the rebels.

@:http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?...02_july10_2006

[grabehbebe]

Japan joins batch of peace monitors in Mindanao; US to follow suit?

CHIEF government peace negotiator Jesus Dureza yesterday said a new batch of peacekeepers from at least four countries would replace the present team monitoring the ceasefire agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao.

“Yes, we’re expecting a new batch of IMT [International Monitoring Team] members from Malaysia, Brunei, Libya and Japan. We don’t know yet how many of them,” Dureza told Standard Today.

According to Ramon Santos, undersecretary for the office of the presidential adviser on the peace process and concurrent head of the Committee on Ceasefire and Cessation of Hostilities, the new IMT contingent will be arriving in three batches from August to September.

“Initially, a team will be composed of 41 Malaysians, 10 Brunei nationals, eight Libyans, and one Japanese,” he said.

At least 48 members make up the team that is presently monitoring the situation in Mindanao. The team is led by Maj. Gen. Soheimi Bin Abbas.

Bin Abbas said that of the 41 Malaysian peace monitors in Mindanao, 36 are going home next week and the remaining five will train the fresh batch that is scheduled to arrive.

The presence of the IMT in Central Mindanao is regarded as a step toward attaining peace in the region, particularly after both sides signed the ceasefire agreement in 2001.

“Technically I can argue that there [have been] no violations for the past two years,” said Santos. “There were misunderstandings that resulted to some hurting words but not because they were driven by organizational objectives,” he explained.

Von Al Haq, CCCH chairman for the MILF, noted that minor violations of the ceasefire have occurred.
In a related development, American troops, as well as $30 million in development aid that they would be bringing in, are now welcome to join the IMT after being excluded from the pool of peace monitors for almost two years now.

But despite these efforts, fighting erupted anew between the MILF and the government-backed Civilian Volunteers Organization in at least two towns in the province of Maguindanao.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said government militiamen assaulted MILF forces in the towns of Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak.

“The militia assaulted MILF forces in Maguindanao without apparent reason. The attack sparked a firefight and only stopped after the Malaysia-led truce observers intervened,” Kabalu said.

Santos said the renewed hostilities between the two armed groups started around 8 a.m. yesterday, but had ceased due to his groups’ intervention.

“The IMT and the CCCH have already intervened in the situation. Sa ngayon natigil ang sniping activities ng both sides against each other. What we’re investigating now is [who started the gunfire],” Santos said.
He added that no casualties were reported during the brief skirmish. With Joyce Pangco Pañares

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?...s05_aug10_2006

[grabehbebe]

Restore RP peacekeepers’ pay, DFA urges military

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is urging the new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership to restore the $1,000-allowance of Filipino troops who are working in the United Nations peacekeeping operations.

“We hope the new AFP Chief of Staff Gen.Hermogenes Esperon would review the policy on the allowance cuts,” Jesus Domingo, DFA director of the Office of the UN and International Organizations (UNIO), yesterday said.
Domingo added the DFA has raised this matter with the AFP several times on complaints that they have been receiving from the Filipino troops but the military declined to do so.

But early this month, he said, the DFA was informed by Esperon’s office that the AFP is studying the department’s request.

In the meantime, the wage cuts will continue to be implemented, Domingo added.
The DFA, the chairman of the Inter-Agency Committeee in Peacekeeping Operations, the AFP and the Philippine National Police earlier agreed to impose a standard allowance scale for Filipino peacekeepers under the proposed amendments to the existing framework on international peace operations.

The agencies also discussed the possible amendment of Executive Order (EO) 97, particularly on the policy framework and guidelines on Philippine participation in peacekeeping operations, which an inter-agency working group has been working on for the past two months.

The proposed amendments intend to put in place a stronger mechanism that would govern Philippine participation in international peace operations, including the effective utilization of UN payments to the government to support a stronger Philippine peacekeeping presence abroad.

“We expect a formal approval of the revised EO later this month or early September,” Domingo said.
Disgruntled peacekeepers earlier denounced the 40 to 50 percent cuts on their $1,000-dollar Troop Contribution Allowance from the United Nations.

The AFP claimed it has to impose cuts because it is losing money in sending peacekeepers abroad.
Filipino soldiers have threatened to join the renegade Magdalo group if the military leadership would refuse to restore their pay.

Magdalo is a group of junior-ranking military officers and enlisted men who staged a failed mutiny in July 2003 at Oakwood hotel in Makati City due to alleged massive corruption in the AFP.
The Philippines is the 26th largest troop contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.
A total of 548 Filipino peacekeepers are scattered in Haiti, Burundi, Ivory Coast, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Liberia, Sudan and East Timor.

Of this figure, 174 are police personnel and 374 are from the military.
On Monday, some 155 peacekeepers are scheduled to return home from Haiti.
Michaela P. del Callar


http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20060817hed6.html

[Faeries]

13 soldiers killed, 10 missing in Basilan clash - Regions - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News

Condolence sa family sa atong mga brave soldiers. RIP sa mga namgamatay na sundalo.

Daghan ra kaayo ang casualty, naa gyud tactical failure tingali.