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Stiff Opposition Against Peace In The Philippines
by
Kazi Mahmood
KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 (IslamOnline) - Opposition leaders led by former Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado and North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Pintilde continued attacking what they called a "secret agreement" entered into between the Philippine governement and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 24, 2001.
Their objection is focused on Article IV of the accord itself, which provides for the honor, respect, and implementation of past agreements, including supplementary agreements.
Mercado and Pintilde claim this particular provision virtually allows the MILF to regain back territory taken over by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during the all-out offensive last year.
Mercado is opposed to the move and recalled that thousands of army troops lives will have gone to waste in conquering MILF territories, including Camp Abubakar, if the MILF were to be granted these lands back.
It would be great disservice to these who sacrificed their lives and will give the impression that the government was dictated by the MILF he said.
Mercado called on the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to immediately convene the National Security Council to review the agreement and find out whether it is consistent with the country's national security law and concerns.
Other opposition members asked Arroyo to rescind the accord for being one sided in favor of the MILF.
So far, Arroyo has remained firm on her decision, showing no signs of turning back, especially now that the resumption of peace talks has already been assured by the Kuala Lumpur agreement.
Recently, Arroyo announced that her government's policy of peace was "non-negotiable" and that she was determined to pursue the same until a lasting and viable peace in Mindanao is realized.
Meanwhile, the suspension of military offensives and actions by the Philippines army and MILF, respectively, is still holding in South and Central Mindanao, despite violations allegedly committed by Army elements, the MILF said.
In addition, the MILF Central Committee recently held a two-day meeting (April 8-9) to discuss important issues affecting the movement in the light of the Agreement on the General Framework for the Resumption of the Peace talks.
The MILF said the Central Committee would decide on reconstituting its own panel of negotiators and other support committees. Sources said the move is an important step in furthering talks with the regime in Manila.
Article II of the agreement between the warring factions says that the MILF shall have to organize its own negotiating panel. The panel composition will be announced soon to the press in Manila.
The MILF is also expected to decide on a proposal to allow the shifting of the venue for the peace talks. The idea came about after Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid manifested his willingness to host the formal opening of peace talks tentatively set for June 2001.
As head of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Committee of the Eight who brokered the Philippines-MNLF Final Peace Agreement in September 2, 1996, Indonesia has long been actively and directly involved in peace efforts in Mindanao.
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