Philippine, Malaysian Leaders To Discuss Mindanao Peace Process At ASEAN Summit

Manila - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will discuss the Mindanao peace process when they meet on the sidelines of the 14^th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Hua Hin, Thailand.

During their meeting set for Saturday, President Arroyo would thank Malaysia for its continued support for the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday.

The Philippine leader will also reiterate her government`s willingness to resume talks with the rebels at "the soonest possible time."

Peace talks between the government and the MILF, which is brokered by Malaysia, collapsed in August 2008 after the two sides failed to sign an agreement on ancestral domain, prompting several MILF commanders and their men to launch deadly attacks on mostly Christian communities in Mindanao.

Ancestral domain refers to the MILF`s demand for territory that will constitute a Muslim homeland. It is the last remaining hurdle for a final political settlement that is expected to end the four decades of Muslim insurgency that has claimed more than 120,000 lives. Once signed, both sides are expected to work towards a final peace deal that would include plans for the future of the group`s 12,000 fighters.

The MILF, which used to be a part of a larger secessionist group that signed a peace deal with the government in 1996, had been battling for self-rule in Mindanao since 1978.

Aside from its role as facilitator of the talks, Malaysia used to head a ceasefire monitoring team in Mindanao, but pulled out last year due to lack of progress in the talks.

But last month, Malaysia said it might consider resuming its role as head of a peace monitoring team in Mindanao on condition that Manila clarify its stand on the cancellation of the expanded Muslim homeland agreement.

The Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team, which also includes Japan, Brunei and Libya, has been credited for considerably reducing the number of clashes involving MILF guerrillas and government troops in Mindanao.

Source: XinhuaNet.com
Photo Credit: TheStar.com.my

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