Malaysia urges PH gov't, MILF to work together after group defers decomissioning

Malaysia on Tuesday urged the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to "work together" to resolve their differences after the MILF  postponed the disarming of its remaining fighters, claiming commitments under a 2014 peace deal have not been fully implemented.

"This is something that the parties will have to resolve among themselves," Malaysian Ambassador Malik Melvin Castelino said in a chance interview on the sidelines of a diplomatic forum hosted by the Asia Society.

Malaysia was the facilitator of the peace process between the Philippine government and the MILF, which led to the signing of a peace deal, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), in March 2014.

The accord, which ended decades-old armed conflict in Mindanao, was expected to usher in more investments in the region’s ailing economy, transform it into a tourism hub, and provide jobs.

Castelino said he has already reached out to concerned parties to discuss the matter.

Under the Malaysian-brokered peace deal, the MILF agreed to give up its aspiration for a separate Muslim state in the southern Philippines in exchange for autonomy.

The MILF's 40,000 fighters would likewise be decommissioned and provided livelihood, a commitment the group said had not been complied with by the government.

Presidential Assistant for Bangsamoro Transformation David Diciano belied the MILF's claims that the government substantially failed to deliver on its socio-economic commitments.

A final batch of 14,000 MILF combatants has yet to disarm.

The peace agreement replaced an autonomous region comprised of five provinces in Mindanao, establishing a larger Bangsamoro region temporarily governed by former MILF leaders under a transition period that will end after the conduct of elections in October. 

"We want all parties to come together. That's the most important part," he said, adding Malaysia is hopeful that the peace accord will be fully implemented.

"We are confident in the parties who are coming together in the spirit of understanding," Castelino said. –NB, GMA Integrated News