Manila: The government is asking the International Monitoring (IMT) Team watching over its ceasefire with Moro rebels to extend its stay in Mindanao for another three months.

The requests for an extension of the IMT's tour of duty were contained in diplomatic notes sent recently by the government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), to member countries of the IMT, namely; Malaysia, Brunei, Libya and Japan.

Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, presidential adviser on the peace process, said she is optimistic that Moro rebels will look at the request for an extension of the IMT's tour of duty in a positive light.

"We believe that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will support the request for the three-month extension of the IMT's term," she said.

"Reciprocity and a stable environment on the ground make the environment conducive to resuming the talks, which we expect to start very soon."

The IMT plays a crucial role in the peace process involving the government and the MILF. It not just monitors ceasefire violations by either side, but also takes part in socio-economic and humanitarian efforts in Mindanao. The IMT is led by the 20-strong delegation of Malaysia. Brunei and Libya has 15 and three members respectively. The Malaysian delegation comprises the security component of the IMT. Japan, with two representatives, monitors the socio-economic development aspect of the monitoring effort.

Peace process

The request from the Philippine government to extend the tour of duty of the IMT came at a crucial period in the Mindanao peace process — the team's current one-year mandate is set to end by December 9.

Actual formal negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF for a political settlement to the several decades old conflict had started sometime in 2004 under then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Later on, the negotiations were participated in by Malaysia as third party negotiator and by the IMT.

The talks were expected to proceed under the government of President Benigno Aquino but the resumption had been stalled by disagreements over Othman Abdul Razzaq, chosen by Malaysia as the peace broker.