Manila: The Philippines government expressed readiness to forge a peace settlement with a former Muslim separatist group, but demanded the arrest of Muslim fighters responsible for the killing of 30 government soldiers and five civilians in two southern Philippine provinces in October.
"We however call on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front [MILF] to show more of its commitment by more actively identifying and assisting in the arrest of many lawless elements. Let us prove that our ceasefire mechanisms are not havens for kidnappers, murderers and terrorists," said Philippine negotiator Marvic Leonen at the start of the peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF in Malaysia yesterday.
"The work of our [government and MILF peace] panels should be focused. Ours is to bring about a negotiated political settlement within the soonest possible time. On behalf of the government, let me now state this challenge: let us complete our task within the first quarter of next year," said Leonen.
Leonen referred to two renegade MILF commanders — Wanning Abdusalam, who was identified as responsible for the killing of eight government forces (four military men and four policemen) in three ambushes in Zamboanga Sibugay on October 20; and Hassan Asnawi, who was behind attacks that killed 19 soldiers who were deployed to send a warrant of arrest for MILF renegade leader Dan Asnawi, in Al Barka, Basilan on October 19.
Ground assault
About 4,003 families or 19,481 people were displaced and 58 people, including 10 civilians, were killed as government forces launched air strikes and ground assaults on renegade rebel groups both in Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan in the southern Philippines from October 24 to 26.
Meanwhile, Leonen did not give details such as a concrete offer of the government to the MILF's proposed expansion of an autonomous area for enhanced self-governance in the south.
It was the first time the government and the MILF negotiators were meeting again after the renewal of clashes between government soldiers and MILF fighters, including members of Abu Sayyaf Group, in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay last October.
The talks will last three days, said Teresita Deles, head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.
The renewal of clashes last month could be surmounted, but they have challenged the peace process, said Deles.
For the MILF, negotiations were imperilled because of the government's lack of substantial offer on the area of an expanded autonomous area and enhanced self-governance, which were touched by the negotiating panels during the time of former president Gloria Arroyo.
