Indonesia wary of 'spoilers' in PHL-MNLF peace efforts

Saying the review process for peace efforts between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front is at a "critical" stage, Indonesia has advised Manila to ensure there is no chance for "spoilers" to disrupt the talks.

Presidential peace process adviser Teresita Deles said this was one of the points taken up during her meeting with Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa on Friday.

During Friday's meeting, Deles said they discussed the status of the Tripartite Implementation Review of the government-MNLF final peace agreement in 1996.

"Minister Natalegawa held the view that the review process had reached a critical juncture both in terms of it substance and its process. He said that, for Indonesia, there is every interest to be able to say that the process has been completed and that everyone is on board.  He said it is important to ensure that the process does not provide any opportunity for 'spoilers' to intervene," Deles said.

She said Natalegawa also advised the government to "continue to exercise patience even in the face of provocation as he reiterated Indonesia's support for the peace process in Mindanao."

However, she did not elaborate on the "spoilers."

"We thank the Indonesian Government for their sustained support in pursuit of lasting peace in Mindanao and look forward to our steadfast partnership to ensure an inclusive peace for the entire Bangsamoro," she said.

Indonesia chairs the Organization of Islamic Conference Peace Committee for Southern Philippines (OIC-PCSP), which is facilitating the implementation review of the 1996 pact.

Friday's meeting was also a follow-through of a meeting held in Jakarta last March.

During the March meeting, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario told Natalegawa the Philippine government believed it was time to bring the tripartite review process to a proper completion.

Also, Deles clarified the Philippine government's proposal had been to complete the review process, not the closure of the peace process nor the abrogation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement.

Indonesia's backing

Deles said Natalegawa "reiterated Indonesia's firm support for the efforts being undertaken by the Philippine government to ensure a comprehensive political settlement of the armed conflict in Southern Philippines."

"He was categorical in stating that Indonesia opposes any attempt to jeopardize the territorial integrity of the Philippines, and that any such move falls outside the ambit of the agreed-upon Tripartite Review Process," she said.

She said this was in light of reported plans to hold a so-called "Independence Assembly" to discuss a draft constitution for the "Bangsamoro republic."

Natalegawa also said the Philippine government's efforts should be "propagated and understood," she added.

"He said that, if needed, Indonesia would be willing to assist the Philippine government in explaining the current situation to members of the OIC-PCSP, starting with those who are also members of ASEAN." — LBG, GMA News