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Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has
expressed disappointment over the collapse of a peace deal between
the Philippines government and Muslim rebels, a senior official said
Monday.
Badawi spoke of his
disappointment during a meeting with Philippines chief peace
negotiator Hermogenes Esperon. Malaysia has played a key role as
moderator in the talks, which have lasted more than 10 years.
A draft peace agreement between
the Philippines and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
was scrapped by the government in Manila, initiating widespread
unrest in Muslim Mindanao last month.
“Upon our explanation, the
prime minister readily agreed that the government must protect its
people... so the prime minister understands why we have to conduct
police actions against the perpetrators of the attacks,” Esperon
said.
The draft agreement, completed in
peace talks facilitated by Malaysia, would have led to the creation
of an expanded autonomous area for the Muslim minority in the
southern Philippines.
Esperon said the government was
still working with Malaysia to re-establish talks with the MILF,
adding that Manila was also considering direct contact with the
rebel group.
Esperon said the government had
asked a Malaysian facilitator to “relay specific items to the MILF
leadership,” namely that “the peace process continues,” and
that the MILF leadership should turn over two renegade commanders
responsible for recent attacks.
Military chief General Alexander
Yano said the MILF forces had “splintered, broken up into small
groups and shifted into guerrilla warfare,” so that while there
were no more major battles, “almost daily, there are small
encounters.”
The government is observing a
2003 ceasefire with the MILF leadership but has said operations
against the commanders behind the attacks will continue until they
are captured.
However, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon
Monday said the Executive Department of must make it clearly known
to the public its national policy on the peace process.
In the weekly Kapihan sa Manila
news forum, Biazon asked if the peace process depends on certain
conditions such as the demobilization, disarmament and
rehabilitation of Muslim rebels.
--Afp with Ruben D. Manahan 4th
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