SULTAN KUDARAT, Philippines, 28 April — An official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday revealed that the cooperation pact it forged with the government to fight criminal gangs was a result of “successful back channeling talks.”
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu acknowledged that “the idea was conceptualized by Malacañang, with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself inviting the MILF to a joint effort.
Arroyo made the proposal during her visit to General Santos City on April 22, in the aftermath of a bomb attack on a shopping mall that claimed 15 lives and injured more than 70 others.
Kabalu said the MILF agreed to the joint effort “as a manifestation of its sincerity to pursue the peace process and find lasting and viable peaceful political solution to the Mindanao problem.”
“The MILF responded to the call positively by welcoming the government’s offer, but asked that the same be made officially so that the MILF could respond,” he said.
On Friday, he said that contrary to published reports, Al-Haj Ibrahim Murad, the chairman of the MILF peace panel and vice chairman for military affairs, had yet to sign the joint communiqué on the cooperation pact.
Kabalu clarified though that the text of the communiqué itself had already been “approved in principle” by both parties.
The salient points of the joint communiqué include the formation of an ad hoc joint action groups composed of representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and MILF to go after suspected criminals.
This effort, however, had to be closely coordinated with the GRP and MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH).
The AFP and PNP is to furnish the MILF an “order of battle” containing the names of criminals suspected to be hiding in MILF areas or communities.
On the other hand, the MILF will block the entry of criminals into its areas.
Toward this end, the MILF may seek the help of the AFP or PNP in going after such criminals in its areas, in accordance with the procedure provided for under the cease-fire agreement of Aug.7, 2001.
The communiqué said the joint campaign is against criminal groups, “lost command” and kidnapping syndicates operating in Mindanao.
In an earlier report, the news agency Reuters quoted Kabalu as saying the campaign would cover the Abu Sayyaf group, which had been involved in a kidnapping spree in the southern islands of Basilan and Jolo.
The MILF had repeatedly denied charges by military and police officials that some of its fighters have been harboring kidnap gangs being pursued by government forces, especiallyin Naso;an..
Roilo Golez, the security adviser of President Arroyo, said the enforcement of the cooperation pact should clear all doubts about the MILF’s real nature.
The MILF, now the largest Moro revolutionary group fighting for self-rule in the southern Philippines, is currently engaged in peace talks with the government.
Despite repeated charges of violations from both sides, a cease-fire agreement has remained in effect.
Kabalu said representatives of both the MILF and government arrived at a consensus that the activities of criminal groups were impeding the peace process.
They said criminal activities in Mindanao were also impeding effective pursuit of development programs, and the efficient delivery of basic services to the people.
