RP, Malaysia in talks to extend IMT

When asked about the prospects of the term extension of the IMT, retired Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, President Arroyo`s adviser on the peace process, said in a telephone interview he is confident that the IMT will not pull out of Mindanao.

For its part, Japan, a member of the IMT, would like to see its term extended. “We have requested both sides, the Philippine government and the MILF, to extend the term of the IMT. It`s a first step…” Nagaishi Masafumi, first secretary of the Japan embassy, told us. “This week is crucial. We are worried about the conflict getting worse.”

Masafumi said that, before positions of both sides harden, it is advisable to settle the IMT issue first. He explained that the pending case against the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in the Supreme Court is a “political issue” which should be separate from the “ground issue,” referring to the ongoing fighting in parts of Mindanao.

In a press conference on August 23, MILF chairman Al Haj Murad said that they have yet to receive official communication from the Philippine government, through Malaysia, on the IMT extension. He warned though, that the peace process “may collapse” if the IMT leaves.

“We are worried that if the IMT pulls out because, then the peace process may collapse. If there will be no IMT, then there will be no neutral body to facilitate coordination between and among the ceasefire mechanisms on the ground…” Murad explained.

Role of IMT

The IMT mediates between the Philippines and the MILF on ceasefire violations and has been seen as an effective neutral party. It is composed of 29 members, mostly military officers, from Malaysia (12), Brunei (10), Libya (6) and Japan (1). IMT members are based in Cotabato and Iligan.

The IMT, now on its fourth year, scaled down its presence in Mindanao in May, from 60 to 29 members, apparently because of the slow progress of the peace talks. During the peak of the IMT, they had offices in Davao, Zamboanga, General Santos, apart from Cotabato and Iligan.

Masafumi, based in Cotabato, is the lone Japanese member of the IMT. He monitors the progress of Japan Official Development Assistance-funded projects in Mindanao, such as providing water supply, building schools, and enhancing production in agriculture and fisheries. Japan is the first non-Muslim country to join the IMT.

Ceasefire not broken?

Masafumi said that the Japanese government will continue to fund development projects in Mindanao as long as the “security aspect” allows them.

After the aborted signing of the MOA-AD in early August, MILF troops started to launch offensives in North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, and Saranggani as a “political statement.” Since then, government troops have returned fire and attacked MILF “camps” or communities, mainly those identified as controlled by rogue MILF commanders. Civilian casualties have been reported.

Esperon said that the four-year old ceasefire between the MILF and the AFP has not been broken despite these skirmishes. “What the AFP did was a legitimate action. It`s law enforcement.”

MILF chairman Al Haj Murad, for his part, said in a recent press conference that they have ordered commanders and men “to restrain” from engaging in further clashes with government forces. “But we cannot restrain them if they are being attacked by government troops using indiscriminate air strikes from bomber planes, fighter planes…”

How will the SC decide?

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has yet to decide on the petitions versus the MOA-AD. Various petitioners have asked the High Court to rule on the substance of the MOA-AD, in other words, to declare it unconstitutional.

The Solicitor General, GRP counsel, however has said that the Philippine government will no longer sign the MOA-AD and needed time to inform Malaysia, the MILF, and the Organization of Islamic Conference.

Based on questions asked by a number of justices in the oral argument last week, Abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak reported that the Supreme Court may declare the MOA-AD moot. Marites Danguilan Vitug

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=129388 (August 27, 2008)

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