COTABATO CITY, 11 June  — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday accused the government of negotiating in “bad faith” by dangling an amnesty program solely for the separatist group’s members.

“This is yet another manifestation of the government’s bad faith. It is obvious that the government is not sincere in looking for a just and lasting political solution to the Mindanao problem,” MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu told Arab News.

Notices of the amnesty program urging rebels to return to the government fold have dotted this city since Saturday.

In bold letters they announce: “Kapayapaan sa Mindanao....Ngayon na! Amnesty para sa MILF, Proc. No. 360.” (Peace in Mindanao...Now!)

The announcement directs applicants to contact the amnesty boards in their areas, such as in Koronadal, South Cotabato, Davao City, Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City.

Kabalu said the implication of the plan was that Manila was again trying to weaken the group by “bribing” their members to surrender.

But, he said, the government was wrong in thinking that the Moro rebellion would end if it succeeded in enticing MILF members to surrender.

“As long as the root cause of the problem is not resolved, the rebellion would continue. There would be no way to stop it,” he said.

Moner Bajunaid, a former member of the MILF peace panel, branded the government offer as “vicious.”

“This is devoid of a deep understanding of the Moro problem. This is a recycled policy,” Bajunaid said.

He also warned that giving amnesty to MILF members would not end the rebellion.

“It did not work in the past. It will not work now,” he said.

Undersecretary Jesus Dureza, presidential assistant for regional concerns-Southern Mindanao, refused to give a detailed comment on the amnesty offer.

Dureza is also chair of the government peace panel that will meet with the MILF.

“This is not new. The government has offered amnesties in the past,” he said.

On the timing of the announcement, Dureza said it might only have been a lapse on the part of officials concerned.

“This is the first time I hear about it,” Dureza said.

The peace talks between the government and the MILF are set to resume on June 24 in Tripoli, Libya