Govt asks MILF to stop 'unilateral law enforcement movements' as talks resume
Government negotiators met with their counterparts in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Kuala Lumpur on Monday with a request for the rebel group to withdraw its armed members and stop conducting uncoordinated and unilateral “law enforcement movements” in several barangays in Lanao del Sur province.
In his opening speech during the resumption of formal exploratory talks, government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen said they received reports that on Feb. 4, MILF rebels conducted “law enforcement movements against cattle rustlers and drug traffickers” in Barangay Mamaan in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur without coordination through Adhoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH).
“It is true that we have urged the MILF to assist in interdicting lawless elements as it had committed in our existing agreements. However, we urge the MILF not to do so unilaterally,” Leonen said.
He said they were also informed that on Feb. 5, some 200 fully armed MILF members under a certain Commander Topsider went to Barangay Mamaan, burned the house of a certain Lanao Ariraya, and indiscriminately fired their firearms, causing panic among residents and evacuation to neighboring areas.
He said similar reports have come in from residents of Munai, Poonah Piagapo, and Matungao of Lanao del Norte as well as Piagapo, Lanao del Sur.
“Apparently, in the guise of ‘law enforcement,’ citizens are being arrested and processed in a manner causing fear and panic among the residents,” Leonen said.
Leonen said the MILF units have met resistance from some members of the community, causing instability and evacuations from that area.
AHJAG, CCCH
The CCCH is comprised of members from the government and MILF, as well as neutral parties. Established in 2003, it has been tasked to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between the two parties and resolve complaints of violations so that small skirmishes do not intensify.
On the other hand, the AHJAG is a joint effort of both parties that seek to interdict and isolate lawless elements that take refuge in or near MILF communities. It was initially formed during the May 2002 peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF in Malaysia.
Leonen said the MILF should have used the AHJAG mechanisms that will enable the government and the group to work together to interdict the criminals that find sanctuary within various communities.
“It is also by working together that we avoid needless panic and instability as we negotiate a final peace agreement,” he added.
“We ask the MILF to withdraw its armed members from these barangays and coordinate--through our AHJAG--so we could do the right thing in the right way. We know that this concern will be perused and considered by the MILF negotiating panel,” said Leonen.
He noted that many other issues were raised by some MILF leaders through the media. He said these will be tackled in the negotiations.
“The sooner that we enter into an agreement, the sooner we can find viable solutions to these many issues,” he said without elaborating what those issues were.
Leonen proposed that, in this round of talks, they focus once more on the substantive issues and explore common grounds.
“We acknowledge that the issues that we tackle now are the more difficult ones but we are optimistic that we can find mutually viable solutions. Let us redouble our efforts to conclude these negotiations in the soonest possible time. The sooner, the better,” he said.
The Aquino administration is seeking to have a negotiated political settlement with the MILF within the first quarter of 2012.
Leonen also asked both the government and MILF to “keep our ground peaceful and avoid provocation that might stir unnecessary violence.”
“Our mechanisms should constantly be reviewed but even in doing so, we should both abide by it. We should do so even while we share in the desire to go against criminal elements within our communities,” he said. — KBK, GMA News
In his opening speech during the resumption of formal exploratory talks, government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen said they received reports that on Feb. 4, MILF rebels conducted “law enforcement movements against cattle rustlers and drug traffickers” in Barangay Mamaan in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur without coordination through Adhoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH).
“It is true that we have urged the MILF to assist in interdicting lawless elements as it had committed in our existing agreements. However, we urge the MILF not to do so unilaterally,” Leonen said.
He said they were also informed that on Feb. 5, some 200 fully armed MILF members under a certain Commander Topsider went to Barangay Mamaan, burned the house of a certain Lanao Ariraya, and indiscriminately fired their firearms, causing panic among residents and evacuation to neighboring areas.
He said similar reports have come in from residents of Munai, Poonah Piagapo, and Matungao of Lanao del Norte as well as Piagapo, Lanao del Sur.
“Apparently, in the guise of ‘law enforcement,’ citizens are being arrested and processed in a manner causing fear and panic among the residents,” Leonen said.
Leonen said the MILF units have met resistance from some members of the community, causing instability and evacuations from that area.
AHJAG, CCCH
The CCCH is comprised of members from the government and MILF, as well as neutral parties. Established in 2003, it has been tasked to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between the two parties and resolve complaints of violations so that small skirmishes do not intensify.
On the other hand, the AHJAG is a joint effort of both parties that seek to interdict and isolate lawless elements that take refuge in or near MILF communities. It was initially formed during the May 2002 peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF in Malaysia.
Leonen said the MILF should have used the AHJAG mechanisms that will enable the government and the group to work together to interdict the criminals that find sanctuary within various communities.
“It is also by working together that we avoid needless panic and instability as we negotiate a final peace agreement,” he added.
“We ask the MILF to withdraw its armed members from these barangays and coordinate--through our AHJAG--so we could do the right thing in the right way. We know that this concern will be perused and considered by the MILF negotiating panel,” said Leonen.
He noted that many other issues were raised by some MILF leaders through the media. He said these will be tackled in the negotiations.
“The sooner that we enter into an agreement, the sooner we can find viable solutions to these many issues,” he said without elaborating what those issues were.
Leonen proposed that, in this round of talks, they focus once more on the substantive issues and explore common grounds.
“We acknowledge that the issues that we tackle now are the more difficult ones but we are optimistic that we can find mutually viable solutions. Let us redouble our efforts to conclude these negotiations in the soonest possible time. The sooner, the better,” he said.
The Aquino administration is seeking to have a negotiated political settlement with the MILF within the first quarter of 2012.
Leonen also asked both the government and MILF to “keep our ground peaceful and avoid provocation that might stir unnecessary violence.”
“Our mechanisms should constantly be reviewed but even in doing so, we should both abide by it. We should do so even while we share in the desire to go against criminal elements within our communities,” he said. — KBK, GMA News
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