First peace talk of the Year between Moro and the Government

 

Government, Moro peace panels resume talks on ‘substantive’ issues

PEACE TALKS will resume between the panels of the government and Moro rebels today in Kuala Lumpur with on “substantive” issues expected to be discussed, a Palace official said yesterday.

“As both parties are expected to delve into the substantive aspects of the negotiations, I continue to positively hope that the panels will be able to complete their task and come up with a framework for a political settlement in the soonest possible time,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Q. Deles said in a text message.

She said the talks will take three days, noting that the government is devoted to bringing about “just and lasting peace” long-desired by the Bangsamoro people, and “put a permanent end to the violent conflict that has plagued Mindanao for decades.”

The two panels last met on Dec. 7.

At the time, government panel head Mario Victor F. Leonen noted that the administration “is looking forward to forge a negotiated political settlement in the first quarter” of this year.

For his part, Mohagher Iqba of the MILF said that while the talks had “moved forward,” the prolonged discussions have been just the “tip of the iceberg.”

The two sides have been at odds over the Moro proposal to form a sub-state in the south in exchange for for dropping its separatist cause.

The government, on the other hand, has proposed an expanded autonomous Muslim region setup. -- JPDP