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The
happy announcements of a breakthrough in the contentious
ancestral domain issue between the government and the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) once again seemed
to have smashed on the rocks of reality as both sides
were reported to be deadlicked anew on the question.
Even as
this news reached the Philippines from Kuala Lumpur,
where an executive session of both panels is being held,
defense and military officials urged on Sunday that the
MILF control its men after several incidents had marred
the cease-fire in Mindanao.
“It is
incumbent upon them, given that [deadlock], to rein in
their people under [their] control to prevent the
outbreak of hostilities,” said Defense Secretary
Gilberto Teodoro.
He
assured the MILF leadership that the government is doing
everything in order to get the formal talks moving and
told them a continuing exercise of restraint by its
fighters would contribute to the maintenance of
confidence by both sides.
The MILF
panel backed out from an informal meeting in Malaysia
last week after accusing the government of reneging on
the issue of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, which has
earlier been ironed out.
Malacañang remains confident, however, the differences
could be resolved with Press Secretary Jesus Dureza
issuing a statement saying, “I am confident we can move
forward. We have achieved so much together and reached
milestones this far. I don’t think anyone of the two
sides will squander these gains for lasting peace.”
The MILF
panel reportedly walked out after the government panel
allegedly introduced changes in the draft of the conduct
of a plebiscite related to the draft agreement on the
expansion of the MILF’s juridical entity, which had been
previously agreed upon.
Banking
on the positive outcome of the executive session
expected to remove the last hurdle to the formal peace
negotiations, President Arroyo had earlier expressed
support for the postponement of the Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) polls set for August 11.
In the
meantime, the AFP has taken a defensive position while
it awaiting further developments. “Active defense is the
policy of the chief of staff, and I think that stands,”
said Teodoro.
Armed
Forces chief of staff Alexander Yano said, however,
there is no need to augment the present number of
soldiers in Mindanao. He addded they have also already
lodged a complaint against the MILF with the joint
ceasefire committee over its latest attack in Cotabato.
(With Mia Gonzalez) |
