‘Public consultations una sa dili pa ang peace accord’

TAGBILARAN CITY, Aug. 22 (PIA)– ATUBANGAN sa nagpadayong panaghisgot sa gobyerno sa Pilipinas ug Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) sa Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, giseguro pagbalik sa Malacañang nga ipaagi pa gihapon sa gobyerno sa public consultation, unsa man ang mauyonan sa exploratory talks.

Matud pa ni Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Teresita Deles, human sa giinggong pagtapos sa tulo ka adlaw nga negosasyon, makigpulong ang gobyerno sa mga stakeholders aron hisgotan ang inisyal nga nasabotan, sa dili pa iduso ang final peace accord tali sa MILF.

“After this week’s negotiations, the government will undertake further consultations with the different stakeholders before going back to the negotiating table to craft with the MILF a final peace accord that will be acceptable to all and will mean more productive lives, greater opportunities, and regional harmony for families in conflict areas and the people of Mindanao,” matud pa sa kalihim.

Sa pag-atubang sa gobyerno ug MILF peace panels, apil sa gipaabot nga hisgotan ang kaso ni Kumander Ustadz Amiril Umbra Kato ug laraw sa gobyerno kalabot sa gidusong kalinaw sa Mindanao.

“The government proposal is based on the results of extensive consultations of the GPH panel with the different stakeholders in the Mindanao peace process. It takes into consideration the welfare of the people, the country and the Bangsamoro and most importantly, the overwhelming humanitarian needs of Filipinos caught in never-ending conflict.” (PIA-Bohol/ecb)

Malaysia to remain as peace talks facilitator

MALAYSIA will continue to act as facilitator at the resumption of peace talks in Mindanao.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo disclosed this Tuesday following the courtesy call
of Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato Sri Anifah Aman on President Benigno S. Aquino III in
Malacanang.

Romulo said Malaysia has been playing a constructive and positive role to encourage a
peaceful resolution in the Mindanao problem.

The President welcomed Minister Anifah who was accompanied by Malaysian Ambassador
to the Philippines Dato’ Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad.

Also present during the call were Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
Secretary Teresita Deles and DFA Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio.

Minister Anifah’s visit centered on Malaysia’s role in the formal peace negotiations scheduled
this month between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

As its closest neighbor in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the
Philippines earlier decided to retain Malaysia as third party facilitator in the resumption of the
GRP-MILF peace talks, a role which Malaysia has assumed since 2001.

Since 2004, Malaysia also led the International Monitoring Team together with Libya, Japan
and Brunei which successfully contributed to the comprehensive peace process in Mindanao.
(PCOO/PIA)

3 explosions hit Mindanao

Cotabato City, Philippines — All key-entry points have been sealed by the Philippine Army’s crime Task Force Tugis after three separate bombings hit the city and a commercial district in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao during the weekend.

There were no reports of injuries after the explosions, but the blasts caused panic among the residents. Investigators said extortionists could be the ones responsible for the chaos.

The explosives used were improvised explosive devices and the first one exploded last saturday night near the terminal of the Weena Bus Co. along Magallanes Street in Cotabato City.

Around 3:30 a.m. yesterday, another explosion happened at the house of Hilario Hernando Henorio in Barangay Bulalo, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said further investigation revealed that the IED used at the Sultan Kudarat blast was similar to the bomb that exploded in front of the Weena Bus Terminal in Cotabato City. The Army’s Task Force Tugis and government troops are now guarding Cotabato City’s main entry and exit points. Army operatives have also been deployed to patrol Cotabato City’s 37 barangays. Police and military units have been placed on full alert.

Click here for full article from the Philippine Star

AFP, PNP on full alert in Mindanao

PHILIPPINE security forces in western Mindanao will be on full alert this week as the holy Islam month of Ramadan draws to a close, especially with the prospect of retaliatory attacks from the Abu Sayyaf.

The police will concentrate on security around mosques while the military will help look out for other threats.

The PNP asked the Muslim community for understanding for the full alert status, saying it is meant to make sure the bandits cannot sow violence at this time.

Chief Superintendent Angelo Sumlao, head of the directorate for integrated police operations in Western Mindanao, said their priority is to protect civilians in the volatile region.

On Sunday, PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa placed police forces in Western Mindanao on full alert after police killed three Abu Sayyaf militants in a clash in Sulu.

Gafur Jumdail, younger brother of Abu Sayyaf leader Gumbahali Jumdail a.k.a. Dr. Abu, and two of his men were killed late Saturday near Maimbung town in Jolo. (PIA-Bohol)

Catholic, Muslim educators to talk peace

Catholic and Muslim educators will launch a series of discussions on the peace problem in Mindanao.

Jesuit-run Ateneo University School of Government and the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, with the support of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), are hosting the talks featuring experts on the issue.

Ateneo School of Government Dean Tony La Vina said the discussions are taking place “outside the peace process” between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace negotiators.

In a report of the Union of Catholic Asian News, he expressed hope that some sessions could tackle issues raised during formal negotiations.

IBS is a non-stock, non-profit private institution begun in 2001 to undertake independent and collaborative research on Bangsamoro society, history, education, culture, politics, economic, and contemporary affairs.

IBS Executive Director Abhoud Syed Lingga said the Mindanao conflict stems from the struggle of the Bangsamoro people against “domination” by the Philippine state.

Lingga said peace in Mindanao can be achieved primarily through formal peace negotiations at the national level.

The new administration of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is preparing to resume peace talks that broke down in August 2008. (PIA-Bohol)